At SOMA, we recognize that pursuing your aesthetic vision takes a lot of courage. You’ll have our support at every step of the way, and our dedication empowers you to focus fully on your goals.
You Can Expect:
Anesthesia Used:
General
Surgery Length:
2 hours
Expected Downtime:
5 to 7 days
Full Recovery Time:
4 weeks
Refining Your Thighs’ Shape
and Size
If excess skin and stubborn fat are keeping you from the contours you want, request a consultation at SOMA Cosmetic Surgery & Aesthetics to discuss getting a thigh lift in Des Moines.
Sensitive Images
Before & After
Build My Treatment Plan
Use our Treatment Planning Tool before your surgical consultation to discover all the ways we can help you achieve your dream body.
Dr. Condoleon
SOMA’s medical director, Dr. Harry Condoleon, graduated Des Moines University in 1992 and completed his general surgery residency here in town.
He’s honored to provide quality cosmetic care to the community he loves, and his surgical expertise is matched only by his dedication to his patients.
The SOMA Surgical Promise
Your safety is our top priority throughout your entire journey. Dr. Condoleon has served countless patients over the years, and he takes every precaution to ensure your well-being and results.
Patients choose our practice for a thigh lift in Des Moines because of Dr. Condoleon’s surgical expertise. He completes each procedure with the highest degree of skill and precision, delivering a look you’ll love.
Complementary Procedures:
Thigh Lift Overview
A thigh lift removes excess fat and skin from the thighs to create a slimmer, more contoured figure. Many people feel insecure about their thighs because of sagging skin or stubborn fat. When diet, exercise, and other contouring methods don’t deliver the look you want, a thigh lift can produce results.
Aging, weight loss, and genetics can all contribute to dissatisfactory thighs. In particular, patients who have achieved major weight loss might feel frustrated that their lower body doesn’t reflect their progress. If you’re looking for a provider for your thigh lift in Des Moines, SOMA can deliver the results you’ve always dreamed of.
The Surgical Details
Before the surgery begins, you’ll talk to Dr. Condoleon. He’ll answer any lingering questions you have so that you feel prepared and confident about your procedure. Once you’re ready, we’ll administer general anesthesia and begin treatment.
Dr. Condoleon starts your thigh lift in Des Moines by making an incision near the top of your thigh, in the crease where your leg meets your groin. Depending on your specific surgical plan, he may extend this incision around the back of your thigh, around your hip, or down towards your knee.
Next, he removes extra fat, trims excess skin, and tightens the underlying muscles. After he’s repositioned the remaining tissue, he pulls the skin tight and secures it with sutures.
What It Treats
- Loose or sagging skin on the thighs
- Uneven thigh shape
- Excess skin after weight loss
Pre-Care Instructions
Actions to Take
- 1 week before – Arrange for someone to drive you to and from your thigh lift in Des Moines.
- The night before – Do not eat or drink anything after midnight. This includes water, gum, and cough drops. Prepare your home for recovery by stocking up on pillows, blankets, books, movies, and snacks so you can rest comfortably.
- The day of – Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes to your surgical appointment. Don’t wear makeup, jewelry, sunscreen, piercings, or nail polish.
Post-Care Instructions
Actions to Take
- Take any antibiotics and pain medications as directed in your post-care instructions. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery while taking prescription pain medication.
- For 24 hours after your surgery, do not drink any alcoholic beverages.
- Wear your compression garment around the clock. You can remove it to sleep and shower, but put it back on immediately after.
- Change your surgical dressings as necessary to keep the incisions clean and dry.
- You can resume a healthy, normal diet following surgery. Incorporate lots of fruit and vegetables, and drink extra water to hydrate.
- If your incisions are closed with surgical glue, do not pick or peel the surgical glue. Let it fall off naturally on its own.
- Follow any other postoperative instructions provided by Dr. Condoleon.
Recovery Process
What to Expect
After your thigh lift in Des Moines, you’ll experience several postoperative symptoms as your body heals and adjusts to its new shape. These symptoms are temporary and gradually resolve over the next few weeks.
- For the next 2 to 3 days, you may experience some blood-tinged drainage around the incisions and the drain. While the drainage persists, change your dressings daily and keep the incision sites covered.
- You may experience some bruising and swelling around your thighs, abdomen, and groin for several weeks. Make sure to rest and wear your compression garment.
- Your surgical scars may appear red for the next 3 to 6 months. This will fade over time. To help the scars fade, avoid exposing them to sunlight and wear sunscreen while outdoors.
Activity
During the first week after your thigh lift in Des Moines, you should focus on resting and recovering. You can resume light activities like walking and going up and down stairs, but we recommend you take it slow. If you feel dizzy or lightheaded, sit or lay down and elevate your feet.
Avoid sitting for more than 2 hours at a time during the day. Walk around for at least 10 minutes every 2 hours to prevent blood clots.
For the first 4 weeks, do not engage in any vigorous activity like biking, swimming, running, or heavy lifting. Do not lift anything over 20 lbs.
After 6 weeks, you can resume weightlifting and your exercise routines. Take it slowly at first; incorporate mild physical activity and work back up to your normal routines.
Bathing
You may shower starting 24 hours after surgery. While you still have drains, be very careful as you wash around them. You may shower with the surgical glue in place.
