Buttock - Thigh Lift

Firmer contours and improved skin laxity with a personalised surgical approach

A Buttock and Thigh Lift is a body-contouring surgical procedure designed to improve skin laxity, excess skin and, where present, localised fat in the thighs and buttocks.

In many patients, the concern is not simply excess fat. There may also be a significant loss of skin elasticity, particularly:

• along the inner thighs,
• in the upper thigh area,
• around the buttocks,
• beneath the buttocks,
• or across a combination of these areas.

The aim of surgery is to create a firmer, more harmonious and better-defined contour, tailored to each patient’s natural anatomy.

What is a Thigh and Buttock Lift?

A thigh and buttock lift includes surgical techniques that remove excess skin and, where necessary, excess fatty tissue.

It is not simply a procedure to “remove skin”. The overall surgical plan aims to:

• improve body contour,
• reduce skin laxity,
• provide better tissue support,
• improve the proportions between the buttocks, thighs and the rest of the body,
• create a smoother and more harmonious result.

The procedure may involve only the thighs, only the buttocks, or form part of a broader body-contouring plan.

Why does laxity develop in the thighs and buttocks?

Skin laxity may result from one or more factors. It is most commonly associated with:

• significant weight loss,
• previous obesity,
• pregnancy and body changes,
• natural ageing,
• reduced skin elasticity,
• hereditary and constitutional factors,
• fluctuations in body weight,
• a combination of the above.

Some patients may also have localised fat deposits in the same areas.

When does skin laxity become a functional problem?

Excess skin around the thighs is not always only a cosmetic concern.

In more pronounced cases, it may cause:

• friction while walking,
• skin irritation,
• discomfort,
• difficulty choosing certain types of clothing,
• limitations in everyday activities,
• difficulty keeping the area dry and comfortable,
• reduced self-confidence.

In appropriately selected patients, surgical treatment may improve both the contour and the functionality of the area.

Who is a suitable candidate for a Thigh Lift?

A Thigh Lift may be suitable for women and men who:

• have significant inner-thigh laxity,
• have excess skin following major weight loss,
• show sagging and laxity of the tissues,
• have reached and maintained a stable weight,
• cannot achieve the desired improvement through exercise or liposuction alone,
• have realistic expectations regarding the result and the scars.

Who is a suitable candidate for a Buttock Lift?

A Buttock Lift may be considered when there is:

• sagging of the buttocks,
• excess loose skin,
• laxity following major weight loss,
• loss of the natural buttock curve,
• alteration of the contour of the area.

Depending on the patient’s anatomy, the procedure may be combined with other body-contouring techniques.

How is a Thigh Lift performed?

The technique depends on the location and degree of skin laxity.

Limited laxity

In selected cases, the incision may be confined to the groin crease so that it can be positioned as discreetly as possible within the natural folds.

Extensive laxity

When there is a greater amount of excess skin, an additional vertical incision along the inner surface of the thigh may be required.

The aim is always to achieve the best possible correction while placing the scars as discreetly as possible.

How is a Buttock Lift performed?

A Buttock Lift is planned according to:

• the degree of sagging,
• the amount of excess skin,
• the available volume,
• the shape of the buttocks,
• the relationship between the buttocks, waist and thighs.

The necessary amount of excess skin is removed and the tissues are repositioned in order to improve contour and support.

In some patients, the procedure may be combined with:

• liposuction,
• fat transfer,
• liposculpture,
• body lift.

Is liposuction necessary?

Not in every patient.

However, when localised fat is present together with skin laxity, liposuction may be incorporated into the surgical plan.

The aim is to improve:

• tissue thickness,
• contour,
• the transition between adjacent areas,
• overall symmetry.

In patients with significant excess skin, liposuction alone is usually not sufficient to correct the laxity.

Why choose Dr Andreas Ioannides?

Thigh and buttock lift surgery requires careful planning, as two important goals must be balanced: the greatest possible improvement in contour and the most discreet possible scar placement.

Dr Andreas Ioannides, Plastic, Aesthetic & Reconstructive Surgeon, has extensive experience in body-contouring procedures and in treating skin laxity following changes in body weight.

Each operation is individually planned according to:

• the patient’s anatomy,
• the degree of laxity,
• the amount of excess skin,
• the distribution of fat,
• tissue quality,
• the presence of asymmetry,
• the patient’s personal goals.

Where are the incisions located?

The location of the incisions depends on the area being treated and the extent of skin laxity.

For a Thigh Lift, the incisions may be positioned:

• within the groin crease,
• close to an area normally covered by underwear,
• or along the inner surface of the thigh when a more extensive correction is required.

For a Buttock Lift, the incision is planned so that, wherever possible, the scar can be concealed beneath underwear or swimwear.

The length of the scar is related to the amount of excess skin that needs to be removed.

Do the scars disappear?

Surgical scars do not disappear completely.

Initially, they may be more noticeable, but they gradually mature and usually become:

• flatter,
• softer,
• less visible.

Their final appearance depends on:

• the individual healing process,
• skin quality,
• genetic predisposition,
• postoperative scar care,
• sun protection.

The aim of surgical planning is to position the incisions, wherever possible, within natural folds or areas that can be concealed by clothing.

What type of anaesthesia is used?

Thigh and buttock lift surgery is usually performed under general anaesthesia.

The exact anaesthetic approach depends on:

• the extent of surgery,
• the areas being treated,
• whether other procedures are being performed at the same time,
• the patient’s general health.

The appropriate preoperative assessment is completed before surgery.

How long does the procedure take?

The duration depends on:

• whether the thighs, buttocks or both areas are being treated,
• the extent of skin laxity,
• the amount of tissue that needs to be removed,
• whether the procedure is combined with liposuction or another operation.

For this reason, there is no single surgical duration that applies to every patient.

The estimated operating time is determined during the preoperative planning process.

Is an overnight stay required?

The length of stay depends on the extent of the operation and the patient’s postoperative progress.

In many cases, monitoring in the clinic for one night or longer may be recommended.

Dr Andreas Ioannides determines when it is appropriate for the patient to leave the clinic based on:

• mobilisation,
• general condition,
• the extent of surgery,
• the progress of recovery.

What is recovery like?

The postoperative course varies according to the extent of the procedure.

During the first few days, patients may experience:

• swelling,
• bruising,
• a feeling of tightness,
• tenderness,
• some restriction in movement.

Mobilisation begins according to the surgeon’s instructions and is increased gradually.

A specialised compression garment may be used for a period of time.

When can I return to work?

The timing depends on:

• the extent of the procedure,
• the type of work you do,
• the amount of mobility your work requires,
• your individual healing progress.

Many patients may need approximately one to two weeks before returning to lighter daily activities, although this is individualised.

Return to strenuous exercise and the gym takes place later and only after approval from the surgeon.

When will I see the results?

The change in contour is visible from the early postoperative period.

However, swelling and the healing process mean that the final result cannot be assessed immediately.

The result continues to improve as:

• swelling subsides,
• the tissues settle,
• the scars mature,
• the new contour stabilises.

It may take several months before the final appearance is fully established.

How long do the results last?

The results of a Thigh and Buttock Lift may last for many years.

Their longevity is mainly influenced by:

• maintaining a stable body weight,
• natural ageing,
• skin quality,
• future significant fluctuations in weight,
• lifestyle.

The ageing process continues naturally, but the treated areas will usually remain significantly improved compared with their preoperative appearance.

How much does a Thigh or Buttock Lift cost?

The cost of a Thigh or Buttock Lift varies from patient to patient, as the surgical plan is not the same in every case.

The final price depends on factors such as:

• the area being treated,
• the degree of skin laxity,
• the amount of skin that needs to be removed,
• whether liposuction is required,
• whether the procedure involves the thighs, buttocks or both,
• the duration of surgery,
• anaesthesia,
• the need for hospital or clinic stay,
• whether the procedure is combined with other body-contouring surgery.

For this reason, the exact cost can only be determined after a personal assessment and development of the appropriate surgical plan.

Are there less invasive alternatives?

In patients with mild laxity and no significant excess skin, less invasive skin-tightening treatments may be considered.

One such option is ThermiTight™, which uses controlled radiofrequency energy beneath the skin.

It may be suitable for selected patients with:

• mild skin laxity,
• limited localised fat,
• good skin elasticity.

However, where there is significant excess skin, surgical lifting provides the ability to physically remove the loose tissue.

Postoperative care at Advanced Aesthetics

After surgery, the treatment plan may include personalised postoperative care and complementary treatments where considered appropriate.

The aim is to support:

• the healing process,
• gradual reduction of swelling,
• appropriate scar care,
• a safe return to normal daily activities.

Any additional treatment is recommended only when there is a suitable clinical indication.

Experience makes the difference

Thigh and Buttock Lift by Dr Andreas Ioannides

Treating significant skin laxity requires careful assessment not only of excess skin, but also of the overall anatomy and proportions of the body.

Dr Andreas Ioannides plans every procedure with the aim of achieving a result that:

• genuinely improves body contour,
• maintains harmonious proportions,
• respects the patient’s natural anatomy,
• places scars as discreetly as possible,
• responds to the patient’s individual needs.

The same surgical technique is not used for everyone.

The operation is designed around your body.

Would you like to know which procedure is right for you?

Skin laxity in the thighs and buttocks can have a different appearance and cause in every patient.

During your personal consultation, Dr Andreas Ioannides will assess:

• the amount of excess skin,
• the degree of laxity,
• the presence of localised fat,
• the shape of the buttocks,
• skin quality,
• overall body proportions,
• your personal goals.

The most appropriate approach can then be planned, whether this involves: Thigh Lift, Buttock Lift, liposuction, liposculpture, ThermiTight™ or a combination of techniques.