Thigh Lift Recovery: Timeline, Stages and Tips

Thigh lift surgery is a cosmetic procedure that reshapes your thighs by reducing excess skin and fat, creating smoother skin and better contours in the thighs and lower body.

People do thigh lift surgery when fitness exercises and weight control diets do not achieve their goals for a better-looking body. However, thigh lift surgery is not performed to remove excess fat; you need a liposuction procedure to remove this excess fat, which will give your skin a good elasticity, natural look, and contours. That is why doctors recommend doing liposuction along with a thigh lift in case of poor skin elasticity.

What is the recovery time for a thigh lift recovery?

Recovery time after a thigh lift surgery may vary from patient to patient, especially when doing other surgeries along with a thigh lift such as a tummy tuck and a butt lift.

In general, patients can expect some level of discomfort, bruising, and swelling for the first week after thigh lift surgery. However, you will be able to begin walking around the house more comfortably after the first week or so, you may also need about 3 to 4 weeks to return to work, and the majority of your swelling and bruising should have revolved around this time.

Thigh lift recovery week by week

Knowing the recovery timeline is very important for anyone considering a thigh lift procedure, which is why we will go through recovery week by week.

In the first week after a thigh lift surgery:

When you wake up after the surgery, you may feel sore in the thigh area when walking. However, most patients can go home on the same day; you may need someone to pick you up since you cannot drive yourself home. Doctors will typically place drains in your incision sites to help fluids drain and reduce swelling for several weeks. It is widespread to experience pain in the thigh area; however, you can manage it through oral pain medicine.

In the second week after a thigh lift surgery:

You must wear a compression garment for several weeks, which will help you protect your incisions and provides additional support for your body as it heals. You may need to visit your surgeon for bandages or pads removal in addition to incision drains. At this point, there will still be swelling and bruising, but you should be able to see a noticeable change in how your thighs look. It is vital to be cautious when moving, particularly during the first two weeks, since your incisions are placed in the thigh area.

In the third week after a thigh lift surgery:

Most patients will go back to work after 2 to 3 weeks of surgery. The majority of your healing will be done by this time. Although, you may notice some swelling for the next 12 months after the procedure. You should not run, lift weights, and play tennis or golf in the main time. Patients should rest as much as possible and avoid leg movement; this includes driving or walking for long distances. Follow your doctor’s orders to get the best possible results.

In the fourth week after a thigh lift surgery:

By this time, much of the swelling in the thigh area should have gone, and the incisions will be fully healed. The scars will be quite outstanding; however, their color will change from red to purple. However, most of these scars will start to fade away after two or three months, no need to worry since they are easily hidden beneath underwear and swimsuits. Most people can continue their normal activities by the end of week six; this depends on the kind of surgery involved and how well your recovery has improved so far.

Thigh lift recovery tips

Getting the easiest and the best recovery after a thigh lift surgery depends on following these tips:

Reduce your movement as much as possible during the first few days, as your surgeon tells you. After that, however, you should walk or perform light exercises to reduce blood clot risk in your legs.
Take antibiotics and other medications; apply ointments as directed by your doctor.
Wear a compression garment all the time or as instructed. For example, most people will need to wear a compression garment for three to four weeks from thigh lift surgery.
Try to stick to a low-sodium diet to help reduce swelling; you should also include plenty of fiber-rich foods, which will help you avoid straining during bowel movements.
Be careful when you start to resume normal activities; you should not overdo watch it. Watch out for swelling; if the swelling around your incisions starts to increase, it is normally a sign that you need to limit your activity level.
You should avoid high-impact or strenuous activities such as running and heavy lifting for at least six weeks after surgery.
Avoid sun exposure to the scars for at least the first three months since it prevents irritation and possible skin discoloration.

Your surgeon will also provide you with some specific care instructions for your case. This will include care instructions of your incisions and drains, in addition to taking medications. Whatever your surgeon’s instructions are, be sure to follow them exactly to improve your recovery experience and shorten your thigh lift recovery time.

How painful is the thigh lift recovery process?

It is widespread to experience some pain in the thigh area in the first week after surgery. You may also notice some swelling and bruising around the incision sites. In most cases, the pain can be managed with oral pain medications, wearing a compression garment, and avoid leg movement.

How to speed up healing after a thigh lift?

To improve your outcomes and speed up your healing after doing a thigh lift surgery, you need to follow your doctor’s instructions, which may include the following: