Body Lift Surgery Guide
Please read these instructions carefully after your thigh lift (thighplasty) surgery at Evita Clinic. Proper recovery care helps reduce swelling, protect the groin and inner thigh incisions, and support the best possible surgical result.
Most Important Notes
- Walking is Important: Light walking helps improve circulation and supports recovery.
- Elevate Your Legs: Whenever you are resting, keep your legs elevated above heart level using pillows whenever possible.
- Compression Garment: We recommend wearing your compression garment for at least 1 month after surgery.
- Avoid Wide Leg Movements: Avoid excessive leg spreading, wide squats, yoga poses, or stretching that places tension on the groin incision.
- Keep the Groin Area Clean and Dry: The incision is close to the perineal area, so careful hygiene is important.
Recovery Timeline
Rest, Soft Food and Hydration
On the first day after surgery, we recommend soft and easy-to-digest foods such as porridge, soup, yogurt, tofu, bananas, or soft bread.
Please avoid greasy, spicy, or heavy meals during the early recovery period.
Drinking plenty of water helps your body recover from anesthesia, supports circulation and lymphatic flow, and helps prevent constipation.
- Rest comfortably.
- Begin light walking as instructed.
- Continue wearing your compression garment.
- Drains are usually removed 2–3 days after surgery.
Protect the Groin and Inner Thigh Incisions
- Tightness in the inner thighs is common.
- Discomfort around the groin area may occur.
- Use stairs slowly and carefully.
- Avoid positions that spread your legs widely.
- Keep the groin area clean and dry.
Gradual Recovery
- Swelling and bruising will gradually improve.
- You may slowly increase light daily activities.
- Avoid prolonged walking or standing.
- Avoid sitting in a chair for long periods, as this may worsen swelling.
- Continue wearing your compression garment.
Continued Healing
- Most daily activities become more comfortable.
- Some swelling may still remain.
- The inner thigh may feel firm, tight, or sensitive during this period.
Active Stretching and Exercise
- Most exercises can gradually be resumed after 2 months.
- At this stage, active stretching becomes important.
- Lower-body exercise may be increased gradually.
- Restoring tissue flexibility and range of motion is important for long-term recovery.
Walking and Activity
Light walking is important after thigh lift surgery because it helps improve circulation, reduce the risk of blood clots, and support lymphatic flow.
However, strenuous activity should be avoided during the early recovery period.
- Avoid running.
- Avoid jumping.
- Avoid hiking.
- Avoid intense lower-body exercise.
- Avoid prolonged walking or standing during the early recovery period.
Leg Elevation
Proper leg elevation is one of the most effective ways to reduce swelling after thigh lift surgery.
Whenever you are resting, elevate your legs whenever possible.
- Use pillows to support your legs.
- Try to keep your legs above heart level.
- Support your legs from the ankles to the thighs.
Leg elevation helps reduce swelling, improve lymphatic drainage, and promote recovery.
Using Stairs
You may use stairs after surgery, but please do so carefully.
- Move slowly.
- Hold the handrail.
- Take one step at a time.
- Avoid rushing or taking large steps.
Avoid Wide Leg Movements
During the early healing period, avoid movements that place tension on the groin incision.
- Wide squats
- Yoga poses that spread the legs
- Aggressive stretching
- Sitting with the legs widely apart
Compression Garment
Your compression garment helps reduce swelling, stabilize healing tissues, and support skin adaptation.
- We recommend wearing your compression garment for at least 1 month after surgery.
- The wearing period may be extended depending on your recovery progress.
- Do not make the garment excessively tight.
- Follow the instructions provided by our medical staff.
Swelling of the Feet, Ankles and Knees
Swelling of the feet, ankles, and knees is common after thigh lift surgery. This may occur due to temporary changes in lymphatic and venous circulation.
The following may help reduce swelling:
- Light walking
- Leg elevation
- Compression garment use
- Elastic bandages if recommended
- Supportive tight socks
- Compression stockings when appropriate
In some patients, compression stockings can be very helpful for reducing foot, ankle, and knee swelling.
Mild to moderate knee swelling is usually expected and improves gradually. However, if knee swelling becomes severe, suddenly worsens, or is significantly greater on one side, please contact Evita Clinic.
Gentle Lymphatic Massage
Gentle lymphatic massage may help improve swelling of the feet, ankles, and lower legs.
- Use light pressure only.
- Do not press deeply or aggressively.
- Massage upward from the top of the foot toward the thigh.
- Follow the direction: foot → ankle → calf → knee → thigh.
This may help improve lymphatic drainage, reduce swelling, and support recovery.
Groin Area Hygiene
The thigh lift incision is located close to the perineal area. Because of this, urination may feel uncomfortable during the early recovery period.
This is expected and usually improves gradually.
After Urination
- Use clean tissue.
- Do not rub the incision area.
- Gently pat the area dry.
- Keep the area as clean and dry as possible.
Keep the Area Dry
The groin area is naturally prone to moisture. During recovery, keeping the area clean, dry, and well ventilated is important.
Avoid leaving sweat, urine, or moisture around the incision area for a long time.
Seroma
After thigh lift surgery, fluid called a seroma may collect under the skin.
Symptoms may include:
- A fluid-like sensation under the skin
- A soft or fluctuant area
- Localized swelling
- Pressure or discomfort
If needed, Dr. Jeon may perform needle aspiration during your follow-up visit to remove the fluid.
Sensation Changes
Temporary sensation changes are common after thigh lift surgery.
- Numbness
- Tingling
- Dull or reduced sensation
These symptoms usually improve gradually over several months.
Driving
You may resume driving when all of the following conditions are met:
- You are no longer taking prescription pain medication.
- You can get in and out of the car without significant pain.
- You can brake suddenly if needed.
Many patients can resume driving approximately 2–3 weeks after surgery, depending on recovery.
Scar Management
- Long-term use of Steri-Strips may help reduce scar widening.
- Scar ointment is usually started after Steri-Strip therapy is completed.
- Silicone sheets or silicone gel may also be used when appropriate.
- Final scar maturation usually takes 6–12 months.
Showering
Showering is usually possible 2–3 days after surgery.
The timing may vary depending on your wound condition and your surgeon's instructions.
Avoid bathtubs, hot tubs, swimming pools, saunas, and public baths until approved by your surgeon.
Smoking
Please continue avoiding smoking during recovery.
Smoking increases the risk of wound separation, infection, delayed healing, and skin necrosis.
When Should I Contact Evita Clinic?
- Wound separation
- Persistent bleeding
- Pus or foul-smelling drainage
- One leg becoming significantly more swollen than the other
- Significant swelling around one knee or sudden worsening knee swelling
- Sudden severe pain
- A leg becoming pale, cold, or discolored
- Numbness or loss of sensation in the toes
- Difficulty moving the toes
- Signs of seroma, such as a fluid-like sensation or localized swelling
Important Note
Thigh lift recovery takes time. In the early stage, protecting the incision is most important. After approximately 2 months, active stretching and exercise become important for restoring flexibility and function.
Questions?
```If you have any questions about your recovery, swelling, wound care, activity, or compression garment, please contact Evita Clinic.