Tightening of the skin on the thigh
Synonyms
Thigh plasty, liposuction, dermolipectomy
med .: Dermolipectomy
definition
Having a thigh lift (Dermolipectomy the thigh) is the surgical removal of excess fatty tissue and skin of the thigh for cosmetic beautification. The reasons (Indications) for a thigh lift are purely aesthetic or cosmetic in nature, primarily because of excess fatty tissue or excess skin. Even with so-called "saddlebag" or cellulite, a dent-like deformation of the subcutaneous fatty tissue (Subcutaneous adipose tissue) a thigh lift can be carried out, liposuction is usually sufficient here (Liposuction) out. However, especially after significant weight loss or weight fluctuations in the past, additional skin tightening may be necessary. A thigh lift is usually a complex operation that takes several hours and should only be performed on healthy patients.
One should always keep in mind that an option also involves certain risks. You can also reduce the fat on the inside of the thigh or on the entire thigh without surgery. Read for this: How can I lose weight specifically on the inside of the thigh?
Epidemiology / frequency
In Germany about 20000 pure Liposuction (Liposuctions), thigh lifts are performed at approx. 7,000 patients carried out per year. The proportion of women who undergo an operation is significantly higher than that of men.
history
The first Liposuction were made in 1976 Boiler ring before that it was only possible to produce a leaner and firmer thigh by removing excess skin and the associated fatty tissue.
Since then, numerous different surgical techniques have been tested and improved. The thigh lifts that are frequently performed today are usually a combination of Liposuction and Skin tightening, so-called Dermolipectomies.
causes
The most common cause of one Thigh lift excess fatty tissue and excess skin on the thighs is due Obesity. Due to strong weight gain on the one hand or constantly fluctuating weight on the other hand, the skin and connective tissue of the thigh lose elasticity (Extensibility) and become very limp over time. So it can happen that, especially after a major weight loss, the thigh is still not slim and taut, but looks cosmetically very unsatisfactory. For those affected, this excess skin or the very slack and wrinkled skin is often even worse and more burdensome than the heavy weight and large thigh circumference before the weight loss. In the case of overweight patients, there is usually a strong increase in fat tissue in the entire thigh. This can be uniform, but also in unusual and not typical places of the natural fat tissue distribution, so that fat may also have to be sucked off at these places. Most patients suffer from pronounced fat deposits on the buttocks, on the thigh in the middle and on the sides and in the knee area.
If the affected patients can prove a severe psychological impairment and thus a reduction in quality of life through expert opinions, the health insurance company may assume part of the operation costs. However, this is only very rarely the case and should be coordinated with the respective health insurance fund in advance.
Diagnostics and operation planning
Before one Thigh lift As before any operation, risks and previous illnesses must be clarified, the so-called anamnese (Patient history) is collected by the attending physician. In order to assess the surgical risk, questions about underlying diseases such as high blood pressure or Diabetes mellitus but also according to general physical condition, taking medication and consuming alcohol or nicotine.
Pregnancies, weight loss or weight gain, previous operations and the current weight and height are also of importance for surgical planning.
To plan the operation, the patient is placed in different body positions (standing, sitting, lying) and examined undressed. The existing deformation of the thigh is measured and photographed and the possible incision is drawn. Before the operation, there is a detailed discussion of the options available and the results that can be expected, as well as possible complications and risks.
If the procedure leads to complications that require further medical treatment or even further operations, these costs must also be borne by the patient. Since z. B. A stay in the intensive care unit can quickly end up in the multi-digit euro range, it may be worthwhile to take out a Follow-up cost insurance for cosmetic interventions that can be had for little money and by many plastic-surgical departments recommended and conveyed.
Since the thigh lift is an elective procedure, patients do not receive a certificate of incapacity for work. You should therefore plan at least two weeks of vacation for this procedure.
Operational sequence
Before the operation, the incision is drawn on the thigh. With most surgical techniques, an incision is made on the side of the Genital area made at the base of the thigh, if possible in a natural fold.
In severely obese patients or in patients with pronounced Breeches deformity or Cellulite may be an additional before the actual operation Liposuction in these strongly deformed (deformed) Areas.
The excess fatty tissue is removed, as well as excess skin. Often, especially if you are very obese, the belly button has to be cut out and, after the tissue has been removed, it has to be reinserted and sutured. The individual layers of the abdominal wall are also individually sutured again, the skin is done after Tummy tuck moved towards the original skin incision with little tension and there mostly with intracutaneous sutures (suture located in the skin) sewn in order to achieve an optimal cosmetic result. Suction drainage is used so that the fluid and blood that forms can drain off and the wound can heal better.
Patients still get under anesthesia a very tight bandage that is replaced after one to two days with a bandage with Velcro. This must be worn continuously over the next few weeks and may only be removed briefly for washing so that the tissue can grow back on without cavities forming (Risk of seroma formation or risk of infection).
Complications
The most common complications are wound healing disorders, especially in smokers, secondary bleeding and infections. In the case of poor wound healing or inconsistent wearing of the compressing pantyhose or the wrap after the operation, fluid can also accumulate in the wound cavity, especially with large surgical wounds (Seroma) come. In this case, you may need to operate again to allow the wound to heal.
Frequent late complications are sensory disorders (sensitivity) in the operating area and cosmetic problems such as scar retraction or asymmetries.
Deaths from thigh lifts have been reported in around 1–4% of patients. The most common causes are thromboembolism, injuries to blood vessels, fat embolism and fatal complications from anesthesia or medication. But circulatory failure can also be a possible cause of death, especially in patients with previous diseases of the cardiovascular system. Patients with known relevant heart diseases should therefore carefully consider whether they would like to voluntarily expose themselves to the risks of a thigh lift.
By liposuction
The common procedures With a thigh lift, it is primarily those that count Tightening of the skin by a surgical removal excess skin flap and the Liposuction in the area of problem areas, whereby both procedures can be used individually or in combination.
What the attending physician ultimately decides mainly depends on the size of the procedure.
For example small breeches by liposuction alone achieve a desired result, larger breeches or Tightening on the inside of the thigh as well as additional interventions on the buttocks, however, can usually only by means of skin incisions and Skin flap removals corrected (= so-called Body lift; possibly also in combination with liposuction).
Of the reason for an additional Skin tightening are in most cases one Excess skin or a general one Predisposition to sagging skinso that liposuction alone would not have the optimal effect.
At the Liposuction (Liposuction) are used by means of a Vacuum pump system over a Cannula that goes under the skin is brought in, Fat cells sucked out. Here there is different methodsthat vary in the type of fat cell detachment. Again, the choice of the right method depends on the amount of fat accumulation, the Body region, the Age and the constitution of the patient and the Fabric structure from.
With laser
When discussing the use of a Lasers go to the thigh lift Opinions differ among the attending physicians.
It has been proven that with the help of a so-called Laser liposuction smaller Fat pad removed whereas correct skin tightening is not possible with excess or sagging skin areas.
As with liposuction, laser lipusuction is also used Cannula under the skin introduced, this being the excess fatty tissue not with a vacuum pump system sucks, but one laser beam can generate the one Liquefaction of adipose tissue or the fat cells.
The mechanism of action consists in the Heating of the subcutaneous fatty tissue through the laser beam so that the Fat cells melt and go down.
Depending on the size of the body region being treated, this can be either leave liquefied fat in the bodywhere it is then dismantled again after a while. At major interventions can also be gentle Suction of liquid adipose tissue may be necessary.
The Puncture sites are then only through band Aid cared for and healed, without the existence sew of the wounds is not necessary in most cases. The intervention is usually carried out under a local anesthesia (Local anesthesia) because it is only slightly invasive.
costs
The costs for a thigh lift can be incurred not flat rate be set up.
Roughly, however, it can be assumed that with a price between 3,000 and 6,000 euros must be expected. The price fluctuations arise on the one hand because the resulting costs determined by the attending physician himself becomes and among other things also clear from that country, in which the doctor performs the procedure, is dependent (in foreign countries will be doing some thigh lifts for less than 2000 euros carried out, flight and accommodation must be paid for yourself).
On the other hand, the final price also depends largely on the Type and technique of the surgical intervention (e.g. with or without liposuction, with laser, etc.) from which scope (= thigh surface to be tightened) and from the Duration of the operation as well as from the Duration of the hospital stay from.
forecast
Thigh lifts Depending on the scope, they are large and stressful operations that are associated with the usual operational risks. In physically healthy patients who do not smoke, the course of the operation without complications and the wound healing without consequences can be expected.
However, smokers in particular have an increased risk Wound healing disorders and Infections to suffer, as the skin and fatty tissue and thus the wound surface are poorly supplied with blood and therefore less well supplied than with non-smokers. Also the risk of complications caused by surgery or anesthesia, especially the lung is increased many times over in smokers, so that nicotine abstinence (Refrain from nicotine) Weeks before the operation until the wound has healed completely.
It should be clear to the patient in advance that even a technically well-performed thigh lift will never achieve a perfect cosmetic result. There are always scars left and often not too tight areas are to be expected. A serious department for plastic surgery shows the patient photos of comparable operated patients to explain the possible result and to dispel false hopes.
Summary
At a Thigh lift or dermolipectomy of the thigh is a purely cosmetic and medically unnecessary operation for the optical beautification of the thigh. Excess skin and fat tissue is removed in order to reduce the circumference of the thigh and to tighten the skin.
Many patients suffer after severe weight fluctuations, or major weight loss Obesity very beneath their appearance, the cosmetic effect of Sports and Diets is often not perceived as sufficient, so that a thigh lift can provide relief. However, a thigh lift can lead to sometimes serious complications and should be carefully considered. The health insurance company only rarely covers the costs for this procedure.
