Thigh Lipectomy (Thigh Lift) Surgery Sydney

Where Is A Thigh Lift Performed?

A Thigh Lift is performed in a private hospital under general anaesthetic.

How Many Hours Does A Thigh Lift Surgery Take?

A Thigh Lift can take anywhere from 3 to 5 hours.

How Much Pain Can I Expect After A Thigh Lift?

It is important to know that everyone has a different experience after surgery from moderate pain to significant discomfort. You may experience pain localized to the incisions but also nerve pain (shooting pains and burning). You will be given pain medication during your hospital stay and for home.

How Many Days Do I Need To Be In Hospital After A Thigh Lift?

Most patients will spend at least two days in hospital and will be medically fit to return home at this stage, although some may benefit from another day or two in hospital.

What Happens After A Thigh Lift Whilst In Hospital?

You will wake up from surgery in a hospital bed on your back with the head of the bed elevated.

One plastic tube, or drain, is usually placed adjacent to your wounds – one in each thigh.

Whilst in hospital you will also have a catheter in your bladder, so you don’t have to worry about getting up and trying to go to the toilet.

You have at least one drip in place to give you intravenous fluids and pain control medication and antibiotics.

All your wounds are covered using waterproof dressings. The wounds are stitched using several layers of internal dissolving sutures.  You may have some visible sutures – these will be removed at your 1-week post-op appointment.

You will experience different sensations and feelings in your thighs, legs, groin and buttock regions – this includes numbness, pins and needles, shooting pains, tightness or burning sensations – most of these will gradually resolve over the first six weeks.

The nurse or physiotherapist will help you out of bed the day after surgery.

Usually at your second day post-op we will remove all your drains, drips, and catheter.

After everything has been removed, you will be able to have a shower with assistance.

When you leave the hospital, you will be given pain medications and antibiotics – please take them as prescribed.

Will I Need Help At Home After Surgery?

You should have someone with you at home for at least the first week for general day-to-day care.

Can I Walk Around When I Get Home After Surgery?

When you get home, we encourage you to be up and mobile, however, do not expect too much of yourself. Your thighs and groin region will feel tight and uncomfortable.

How Much Swelling Can I Expect After Surgery?

You are placed in a compressive leg/thigh garment immediately after surgery to help control the swelling. This needs to be worn for at least 6 weeks. You can expect your legs to be very swollen initialy and most of this will be gone in the first few weeks. The amount of swelling can differ slightly from one side to the other. Some people may benefit from wearing compressoin tights for many months after surgery to control residual swelling.

When Can I Go For A Swim After Surgery?

You cannot have baths or swim until at least four weeks after surgery.

How Do I Sleep After Surgery?

You will wake up from your surgery on your back with the head of the bed slightly elevated. Pillows can be used to provide some gentle hip flexion and minimize movement of your legs. You will be sleeping on your back for a minimum of two weeks After this initial time, there is no recommended sleeping position as you can sleep in whatever position you are comfortable in.

What Happens At My First Clinic Appointment?

Leave your dressings intact until your first post-operative appointment. Generally speaking, your first appointment will be scheduled no later than the day following your hospital discharge. Within your first post-operative appointment, one of our friendly and caring post-operative nurses will inspect your wounds and administer light therapy treatment, aimed at optimizing your recovery. Our post-operative nurses will continue to see you, at least three times per week for the following few weeks, and of course, will be available to answer any questions in-between your in-clinic appointments.

Going To The Toilet After A Thigh Lift (Bloating And Constipation)

It is very common after surgery to experience bloating and constipation. This is because you have just had surgery and therefore you will be less mobile. In addition, you will be administered strong pain medication which causes slowing of the bowels. You will be encouraged to consume plenty of fluids, maintain a high-fiber diet, along with some gentle laxatives (such as Movicol), to help restore your normal bowel habits.

You will be given Movicol whilst in hospital and are encouraged to continue with the above measures at home until your normal bowel habits return.

Reducing The Risk Of Blood Clots (DVT’s) 

Every hospital patient, especially surgical patients, are at increased risk of developing blood clots in their legs. Therefore, we undertake a number of measures to reduce the risk of these.

You will also have special massage devices on both legs which promote blood flow and is designed to minimize the chance of any clots developing in your leg veins.

Whilst in hospital you are encouraged to do foot exercise such as tapping your feet or wriggling your toes. This is designed to activate your calf muscles and encourage blood flow and is another vital measure to help reduce the risk of blood clots.

In addition to this, all patients are given an injection once per day of a blood thinner (clexane). This also serves the same purpose of helping to minimize blood clot issues.

You will be required to give yourself an injection of clexane once per day for the first three weeks after you leave the hospital to further reduce the risk of blood clots.

Mobilising regularly and remaining well hydrated at all times is also recommended.

When Can I Start Driving Again After A Thigh Lift?

You should not consider driving for the first two weeks after surgery. After this time, you should only drive if you feel safe doing so.

When Can I Go Back To Work?

You will be able to return to a light office or desk work environment at 3 weeks post-op. Light hospitality work may be possible at 4 weeks. Any employment that involves heavy lifting or straining must be avoided for 6 weeks.

When Can I Return To Doing My Normal Activities And Training After A Thigh Lift?

At 6 weeks post-surgery you can gradually return to normal training and physical activities. Consider the first 6 weeks after surgery as RECOVERY, and after 6 weeks consider all activities as REHABILITATION. Undertake any physical activities that you wish to do and be guided by your comfort and strength which will slowly improve.

When Can I Start Having Sex After A Thigh Lift? 

You should avoid any activities that increase your heart rate and blood pressure during the first couple of weeks as this can increase the risk of swelling or bleeding problems.

You also need to avoid activities and movements that places a great deal of strain on your inner thigh and groin wounds. This means no thigh abduction – or opening your legs – as this risk’s significant potential wound complications.

Also, your wounds or adjacent surgical area should not be firmly handled or vigorously manipulated for the first six weeks.

Given that your wounds are immediately adjacent to your vaginal, then these above concerns means that sexual intercourse should not be considered for six weeks.

After this period, then you can as you wish and just be guided by your comfort levels.

When Can I Expect My Final Surgical Results After A Thigh Lift?

It will take at least six months before you are able to do all the things you could before surgery. At this stage, we will assess your final surgical results. However, the scars will take at least 12-24 months before they have fully matured.

Learn more about Thigh Lift Recovery