An Extended Tummy Tuck (Extended Abdominoplasty) is a procedure often sought by individuals with substantial excess skin following significant weight reduction. Patients frequently ask if this surgery, which primarily targets the torso, also provides a noticeable lift to the thighs. Its expansive nature creates a subtle effect on the uppermost areas of the legs. Understanding the anatomical limits of the surgery is necessary to set realistic expectations for thigh improvement.
Defining the Scope of an Extended Tummy Tuck
An extended tummy tuck is more extensive than a standard abdominoplasty, which focuses only on the central abdomen. The incision extends horizontally beyond the hip bones, reaching around the flanks and often into the lower back. This approach addresses “love handles” and excess skin draping over the sides of the torso. It allows the surgeon to remove excess skin and fat circumferentially from the front, side, and hip areas.
The primary goal is tightening the skin and repairing separated abdominal muscles (diastasis recti) across the entire midsection. Excising skin and fat from the abdomen and flanks creates a smoother, more contoured transition from the chest to the hips. The extensive tissue removal and subsequent tension distinguish the extended tummy tuck from less comprehensive procedures.
How Extended Abdominoplasty Affects the Upper Thigh
An extended abdominoplasty does not provide a structural thigh lift, which requires incisions on the leg itself. However, the procedure creates an indirect contouring effect on the high lateral thigh. Removing excess tissue from the hip and flank areas creates strong upward tension on the skin adjacent to the incision line. This upward pull results in minor elevation and tightening of the skin on the uppermost outer (lateral) thigh.
This effect is limited primarily to the high lateral thigh and the area near the groin crease, improving the contour of the “saddlebag” region. The inner or front thigh skin is minimally affected because the surgical pull is toward the midline of the body, not directly upward on the leg. The improvement is best described as enhanced contouring and reduced skin laxity at the torso-thigh junction, not a comprehensive thigh lift.
Surgical Options for Dedicated Thigh Contouring
Individuals with significant skin laxity extending down the leg require a procedure dedicated to thigh contouring. The most comprehensive option is the Body Lift, also known as a Circumferential Abdominoplasty.
Body Lift
This surgery extends the extended tummy tuck incision completely around the body. It addresses the abdomen, flanks, buttocks, and provides a direct lift to the lateral and posterior thighs. This 360-degree approach is recommended for patients who require significant tightening across their entire lower body following massive weight loss.
Dedicated Thigh Lift (Thighplasty)
A more focused approach is the dedicated Thigh Lift, or thighplasty, which involves incisions on the leg itself to remove excess skin and fat. A Medial Thigh Lift targets the inner thigh, using an incision extending from the groin crease down the leg. Conversely, a Lateral Thigh Lift focuses on the outer thigh, often using an incision that wraps around the hip to the lower back. These procedures remove redundant skin and fat, providing a structural lift to the thigh contours.