Minnie Kingsley had lost a lot of weight. The massive weight loss led to excessive loose skin on her thighs and buttocks. She couldn’t lose all that extra skin with exercise and healthy diet. And the only way she could get back her well-toned figure was through a thigh lift.

Also known as a leg lift, the procedure is intended to tighten and firm the thighs and improve overall body contour. The 2-4 hour surgery removes lax skin and fat and places the scars in locations that can be hidden within the bikini line.

Commonly during a leg lift, an incision is made in the upper inner thighs (possibly into the lower inner thigh), and the excess skin and fat is lifted at the surgeon’s discretion. He or she will determine how much skin can safely be removed. Once the excess fat and skin is removed, the remaining skin is closed with sutures that can be removed in about a week. The type of incision and a patient’s resulting scar will be determined by the location and amount of excess skin and fat. It may be limited to the upper groin crease or possibly extend to the knee area if this region requires treatment.

Patients can return to work after two weeks and can resume strenuous activity within 4-6 weeks of the thigh lift. The risks of thigh lift include scarring, wound healing problems, infection, blood or fluid collection, loss of sensation, asymmetry, wrinkling of skin, and lumpiness.

There might be a possibility of discoloration. If any nerve is damaged during the thigh lift surgery, there might be some weakness in the foot or leg.