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Thigh reduction surgery performed at NorthEast Plastic Surgery’s Melbourne practice can be helpful to patients who have excess inner thigh skin. The procedure involves the removal of skin and fatty tissue.
The surgery can address excess skin which may be caused by weight loss following bariatric surgery, diet and exercise or following pregnancy. It can result in skin irritation, infections and issues with hygiene.
A patient will see best results from thigh reduction surgery when their weight is consistent with a body mass index in the ‘normal’ range and has been for three months.
At the consultation, the surgeon will discuss:
Limitations may include:
Liposuction can be used in addition to the thigh reduction procedure.
At the consultation, the surgeon will ask you about your medical history. It is important that you disclose any material information concerning previous surgeries, a history of scarring, a tendency for bruising, a tendency for excessive bleeding, deep venous clots involving the legs, all prescription and non-prescription medication, allergies to anaesthetic agents, antibiotics and dressings and any history of smoking and psychological or psychiatric issues.
At the consultation, the surgeon will advise you of a number of measures to be taken to minimise the risk and complications of a thigh reduction procedure.
It may be necessary to stop taking the Oral Contraceptive Pill before surgery. It is important to avoid Aspirin, Disprin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication such as Nurofen in addition to herbal medications such as Garlic, Ginseng, Ginko, Arnica and Fish and Krill oils two weeks prior to and after surgery. It is essential that smoking cease six weeks prior to and after surgery to minimise the risk of surgical wound complications and anaesthesia. Nicotine containing products can also affect wound healing and should be ceased two weeks prior to and after surgery.
If necessary, further medical consultation may be necessary to minimise risk and complications, including consultation regarding blood thinning agents which may need to be either ceased or modified in preparation for surgery. Blood tests may also be necessary for the surgeon to obtain a complete assessment of bleeding tendencies and to optimise fitness for general anaesthesia.
Risks which are infrequent but common to all operations include problem scarring such as keloid or hypertrophic scar formation, wound complications including infection, wound breakdown, haematoma formation (bleeding) or seroma formation (tissue fluid collection) in addition to the risk of further surgery to address these potential complications.
Risks specific to thigh reduction surgery which improve over eighteen months to two years include swelling and redness of the skin and numbness of the inner thighs and legs. Those specific risks which may require revisional surgery include asymmetry and dog-ear formation, which are contour irregularities at either end of the scar. Revisional surgery is necessary in approximately five percent of patients who undergo thigh reduction surgery.
It is only at the culmination of the consultation process, after having the opportunity to have all your questions addressed by the surgeon, should you consent to thigh reduction surgery. The consent process will include a discussion as to the costs of surgery and potential revisional surgery.
NorthEast Plastic Surgery can provide approximate costs for thigh reduction surgery by phone on 03 9088 5000 or via enquiry through our website.
Once Mr Patrick Tansley or Dr Sugitha Seneviratne have met with you in an initial consultation, they will be able to discuss the full cost of this procedure, and provide you with a personalised quote.
There is a cost for an initial consultation at our Melbourne clinic, with the potential to receive a portion of this back via Medicare where eligible for rebate, provided you have a referral from your GP.
Incisions are made on the inner thigh from the groin to the knee. A wedge of skin and fat tissue is removed to optimise the contour of the inner thighs.
The internal wounds are repaired with dissolving stitches. Drainage tubes are used to drain excess tissue fluid and blood.
After surgery, a waterproof dressing and compression garment is applied to minimise soft tissue swelling.
Thigh reduction surgery at NorthEast Plastic Surgery’s Melbourne practice is performed under general anaesthetic administered by a specialist Anaesthetist in an accredited hospital.
It is important that access to medical attention is available by telephone once you have been discharged. Issues about which your surgeon needs to be made aware urgently include pain uncontrolled by medication, bleeding to the extent that the dressings soak through with blood, temperatures exceeding 38 degrees Celsius, redness of the skin or any concerns related to the surgery.
The usual timetable for recovery is as follows:
First 24 hours:
0-7 days after surgery:
1-3 weeks after surgery
3-8 weeks after surgery
In some instances, it may take several months for the soft tissue swelling to subside completely. During this period the sensation of the thigh and leg skin may be affected but will generally return to normal over a few months.
It is important that you have access to medical attention by telephone if necessary.
Notify your surgeon immediately if you experience the following: temperatures exceeding 38 degrees Celsius, bleeding to the extent that the dressings soak through with blood, pain not controlled by the medication, redness of the thigh or leg skin or any concerns related to the surgery.
The inner thigh scar can be unpredictable and will remain visible indefinitely. Instructions on low level laser therapy to optimise wound healing, swelling and scar management strategies such as massage, taping and silicone gel sheeting will be provided during post-operative consultations.
The final result of thigh reduction surgery may not be fully appreciated until many months after surgery, due to the amount of time it takes for soft tissue swelling to subside.
Mr Patrick Tansley MD FRCS (Plast) and Dr Sugitha Seneviratne FRACS (Plast) provide second opinion to patients seeking to address previous cosmetic plastic surgery problems and revisions for already ‘botched’ surgery. If you would like a second opinion on previously undertaken surgery, book a consultation to discuss this with one or both of our surgeons.
E: melbourne@northeastplasticsurgery.com.au
T: (03) 9088 5000
F (03) 9088 5001
P 0411865055
(paging service for after hours emergencies only)
Essendon practice
53 Fletcher Street
Essendon
Vic 3040
Onsite parking and tram service (59) to the premises
St Vincents Private Hospital Consulting Suites
5 Studley Avenue,
Kew
Vic 3101
Onsite parking to the premises