Thigh Reduction
As the body ages, it is inevitable that the skin in a whole host of areas will begin to sag as the skin loses its elasticity and becomes looser. In the case of patients who choose to undergo a vertical thigh reduction, the skin of the thigh has become loose either due to age or in some cases, a large amount of rapid weight loss. The result of the procedure is tighter skin which is rearranged and re-draped over the thigh in order to form a tighter, flatter inner thigh.
What is a Vertical Thigh Reduction Procedure?
During a vertical thigh reduction procedure, a vertical incision is cut in the thigh which reaches from the perineum, or groin area, all of the way down to the inner knee. A large wedge of skin is then able to be removed from the inner thigh. After the removal of the skin, the skin of the thigh is then sutured tightly, making the skin of the thigh tauter. It is very common for liposculpture, or liposuction, to be performed concurrently in order to remove excess fat from the thigh. The end result is a slimmer thigh with tighter skin. Whether or not the patient decides to receive liposculpture as well as the vertical thigh reduction is largely dependent on whether or not the goal is to remove loose skin or actual fat. If the goal is simply to remove excess skin from the area, the removal of fat may even make the appearance of the thigh worse. If no fat needs to be removed but liposuction is performed regardless, the patient could end up with more loose skin which would need to be excised.
The surgery is typically performed under general anaesthetic and usually takes about two hours to complete depending on whether or not other procedures such as liposculpture are being conducted during the same operation. Before the operation is considered, a stabilization of weight should be achieved. If the patient is overweight, the surgeon will probably recommend that the individual lose the desired amount of weight as continued loss of weight after the surgery would mostly likely increase the amount of loose skin in the thigh. This could lead to the patient desiring additional procedures to remove the new folds of skin, a situation which could have been avoided by weight loss prior to the operation.
Disadvantages and Side Affects of Thigh Reduction Surgery
The primary disadvantage of the procedure is, because of the extensive incision, the resulting scar is quite long and visible, extending along the whole of the inside of the upper thigh. The patient should expect the scar to be visible when wearing underwear, swim suits, shorts, and mini-skirts. However, the intensity of the scar will largely depend on the ability of a patient to heal and may be affected by other factors such as infection. The development of a post operative infection will almost always affect the development of the scar and will most likely make the scar more visible. Any infection will also delay healing making the recuperation period potentially significantly longer. Another factor which could affect the quality of the scar is the tightness with which the wound was sutured. If the wound was not sutured tight enough, some stretching of the scar may occur. There are also individuals who experience more stretching of post operative scars than others. If this happens as a result of the surgery, some patients may decide that they would like the scar to be excised. This can be done surgically but this additional procedure will entail a separate cost as the development of the scar is dependent upon the quality of a person’s skin and their ability to heal as opposed to any error on the part of the surgeon.
Other possible side effects following the procedure are temporary disturbance in sensation of the nerves of the inner thigh. Surgeons are very careful to avoid the cutaneous nerves in the thigh although it is common that some stretching of the nerves will occur, thus causing some numbness. Continued bleeding after the procedure can also lead to hematoma, or pooling of the blood, which is due to the breaking of blood vessels during the surgery. Hematoma is quite uncommon although, if it occurs, it will typically resolve itself. In rare cases, the area may need to be drained. Fortunately, unlike other areas of the body, the thigh is not as prone to infection, swelling, and hematoma. On rare occasions, clear fluid ie a lymphocoele , can build up because of the blockage of the lymph ducts draining the leg. Needle aspiration or excision might be needed.
Despite these possible side effects, the vertical thigh reduction has been proven to be more effective than other thigh reduction procedures such as the medial thigh lift. This preference is largely because the vertical thigh reduction procedure consists of an excision of skin which allows for a tightening and elevation of the thigh skin tissue. Other procedures, namely the medial thigh lift, simply pull the skin of the thigh upwards into the perineum area which does not have as dramatic or lasting results. For this reason, the vertical thigh reduction procedure has proven to be more successful particularly in patients who demonstrate a need to have a larger amount of skin removed.
The Thigh Reduction Recovery Period
During the recovery period, patients will typically be prescribed pain killers as well as antibiotics in order to avoid post operative infection which, as mentioned previously, can seriously delay recovery as well as increase the likelihood of overly conspicuous scarring. After the vertical thigh lift procedure, patients should refrain from strenuous activity for at least two weeks in order to avoid infection and improper healing of the wound due to separation of the incision. The surgeon will also likely require the use of a compression garment for two to three months following the procedure in order to maintain the shape of the thigh during the recuperation process. Although the patient will still be wearing the compression garment, most individuals are able to return to work within two weeks of the procedure. Surgeons will also typically discourage patients from intense exercise until after the wound has thoroughly healed, usually about two months after the performance of the operation.
Our Practices
Mr Fourie practices at Nuffield Health Hospital, Leeds, conveniently situated in the city centre near Leeds General Infirmary and at Barnsley Medical Consulting Rooms in central Barnsley.
Cosmetic Surgery Procedures
Mr LeRoux Fourie offers a wide range of cosmetic surgery and non surgical treatments and below is a brief outline of each
Inverted Nipple Correction
Many women find their nipples to be a great cause of embarrassment as they do not project past the breast and remain inverted. Mr Fourie is able to correct this problem using a quick and reliable treatment that can be done in as little as thirty minutes
Prominent Ear Correction
Although having prominent ears typically causes no physical discomfort as such they can sometimes lead to a lack of self-confidence and be on the receiving end of cruel jokes. Sometimes just one ear is the problem but usually both will be pinned back. It is also possible to perform other types of ear surgery to the lobes depending on the complexity of the case.
Male Breast Reduction
Gynecomastia is the medical term for male breasts and can be a very humiliating condition for men and can make them very self-conscious. Because of this, some individuals decide to undergo a male breast reduction procedure in order to remove the excess tissue and, occasionally, even skin from the area of the breasts.
Liposuction / Liposculpture / Body-Jet Lipo
You can now experience the latest advancements in cosmetic surgery with the revolutionary Body-Jet Water-jet assisted liposuction procedure. The gentle water jet washes away the fat without damaging the underlying structures such as the blood vessels and nerves which means less recovery time and bruising.
Non Surgical Treatments
Antiwrinkle Injections
It is inevitable that as we age lines and wrinkles will become visible and to some this is of concern. Lines around our eyes can develop as can lines on the forehead. The prescription injection treatment we all know as BOTOX® is now formally approved for cosmetic use and is called a new name which is VISTABEL®. VISTABEL® is a treatment that is used to relax the frown lines that can trouble our forehead as well as crows feet which can develop around the eyes.
Excessive Sweating
Our body uses sweating to help control body temperature and is normal human function however some people suffer from excessive sweating which can lead to severe embarrassment and anxiety. Following a consultation if your suitable we can provide a treatment that will prevent your excessive sweating that involves BOTOX® being injection into your arm pit.
DermaRoller
Genuine Dermaroller™ Therapy™ can offer a significant improvement in appearance for those who suffer from acne scars, sun damaged skin, fine lines and wrinkles and stretch marks. The DermaRoller procedure stimulates your skin to help with the regeneration and repair of itself and is a natural and safe way to create smoother, brighter and healthy skin.
Fillers
Dermal fillers can be used for many different non surgical enhancements and anti ageing treatments. They can be used for lip enhancement to create subtly increase the volume of the lips, smoothing lines around the lips, nose and cheeks as well as many other areas of the face and body to improve the appearance of the skin.
Mole Removal
It is very common for moles, lesions or cysts and can appear in many different places on the face and body. Sometimes they can be in a prominent position which can cause frustration or self awareness. Mr Fourie is able to assist in many different types of these problems and would be happy to perform many of these in the minor theatre or treatment room if he is able.
Mr Fourie
About Mr Le Roux Fourie
Mr Le Roux Fourie is a Cosmetic and Reconstructive Plastic Surgeon based in West Yorkshire. Mr Fourie was born and raised in South Africa and underwent his medical and post graduate training in South Africa, obtaining his basic Medical Degree in 1979. Thereafter he served as a Medical Officer in the South African Defence Force Medical Corp, before starting training as a registrar in Plastic Surgery at the University of Stellenbosch in CapeTown. He qualified as a Plastic Surgeon in 1987 and was appointed a Consultant Plastic Surgeon at Number One Military Hospital in Pretoria, where he served as full-time Consultant for three years reaching the rank of a Lieutenant Colonel.
In 1991 and 1992 he was in full-time Cosmetic Surgery Practice in Pretoria.
In 1993 Mr Fourie joined the Department of Plastic Surgery and Burns at Pinderfields General Hospital as the second consultant to be appointed after the tragic murder of the two previous Plastic Surgeons. He helped establish the current Department of Plastic Surgery from two members to the current seven consultants. During his time in Pinderfields General Hospital he established a Breast Reconstructive Surgery Service, which works mostly with the Breast Surgeons in dealing with primary breast reconstructions and delayed breast reconstructions after breast cancer.
Mr Fourie has been in part-time Private Cosmetic Surgery Practice in Methley Park Hospital, Nr Leeds since 1993.
Since April 2008 Mr Fourie has been in full-time Private Cosmetic Surgery Practice in Methley Park Hospital.
Special Interests
Mr Fourie is an experienced Breast Surgeon dealing with congenital breast problems, acquired breast problems such as breast reconstructions after cancer surgery (both immediate and delayed) and cosmetic breast surgery.
He has published articles regarding nipple areola reconstruction and has developed a tattooing technique which is now used by Cosmetic Tattooists in the UK.
He has been involved with the Allergan Implant Corporation in a ten year follow-up study of the long term effects of silicone breast implants which was published in the International Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
Mr Fourie further specialises in Facial Aesthetic Surgery and is one of the first surgeons to use the MACS (Minimum Access Cranial Suspension) face lift technique in the UK in October 2002. His long term results using the MACS face lift were presented at the Summer Meeting of the British Association of Plastic Surgeons in Dublin in 2005.
Publications and Presentations
Mr Fourie was awarded the BAPRAS prize for the best clinical paper read at the British Association of Plastic and Reconstructive Anaesthetic Surgeons Summer Meeting in Windsor in 2005.
He was awarded the BAAPS prize for the best paper read at the 2007 Conference in London. The Hackett Prize for the best paper at the BAAPS Conference 2007 was awarded to Mr Fourie.
Mr Fourie has lectured on nipple areola reconstruction and tattooing techniques, the treatment of pressure sores, wound infections and wound problems, facial aesthetic surgery and body contour surgery.
Mr Fourie has appeared in the Discovery Channels series on cosmetic surgery. He also featured on BBC's Inside Out in October 2007.
Mr Fourie has published papers in International Peer Review Journals on topics such as Breast Reconstruction, Breast Implants, Cosmetic Breast Surgery, Nipple Reconstruction and Facial Plastic Surgery
Charity Work
Mr Fourie does voluntary charity work in Africa as part of the Facing Africa Team involved in the treatment of noma (www.facingafrica.org). This is based at Yakatit 12 Hospital in Addis Abbaba, Ethiopia where reconstructions are done on patients suffering from Noma
Qualifications
MBCHB.
FCS (SA) PLAST
FRCS
BAPRAS (British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons)
BAAPS (British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons)
BAHNO (British Association of Head and Neck Oncologists)
GMC Specialist Register - Registered as a Specialist Plastic Surgeon on GMC full registration. The GMC registration is 3633562.
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