Dr. Catherine Bergeret-Galley

Catherine Bergeret-Galley is one of the few female plastic surgeons in Paris. She is married, with three children. Dr. Bergeret Galley is passionate about her work in plastic and reconstructive surgery. "Enhancing, and making patients more attractive is my goal. I take the time to listen to their deepest concerns, to evaluate the defect they are worried about and often see as a handicap. I want to enhance the lives of my patients.

I started training as a plastic surgeon during my internship in 1984, first in general surgery, then specializing in cervico facial surgery, microsurgery, plastic and reconstructive and aesthetic surgery, both in France and in the United States." More...

Address: 36 rue Penthièvre, 75008, Paris
Telephone: +33(0)1 42 89 62 02

THE THIGH LIFT

The thigh lift tightens sagging skin of the inner thigh. Liposuction can be done simultaneously to remove excess fat in the same area, which is often the case.

The procedure

Precautions

No aspirin based medication should be taken fifteen days prior to surgery.

The operation

The thigh lift is done under general anesthesia.

Surgery takes about two hours.

Hospitalisation takes from one to two days.

Incisions are placed in the groin extending downward and wrapping around the back of the thigh. The underlying tissue matrix will be reshaped and tightened, and skin will be reduced and redraped resulting in more proportionate and smoother body contours. Liposuction can be carried out simultaneously. Following surgery, bandages and a compression garment will minimise swelling and support the tissues as they heal.

Postoperative care

There will be bruising and swelling. They will disappear within an average of twenty days following surgery. Fifteen days sick leave is recommended, depending on the patient's professional activities. The healing period may be a little unpleasant. Avoid movements that might endanger healing by stretching the area between sutures. Normal activities and exercises can be resumed a month and a half following surgery. Most of the sutures are resorbable so do not need removing.

The incisions are very visible in the beginning but then start to fade and progressively disappear...

The complications after a thigh lift procedure

Complications are always possible but exceptional (haematoma, infection, anaesthetic complications).

As in all surgical procedures complications can occur but this seldom happens.

• Fluid accumulation, pulmonary complications
• Cutaneous necrosis
• Alteration in sensitivity. Hence the preventive use of antithrombosis drugs and antibiotics, etc.

The results of the thigh lift

The results are visible after six months. In general, there will be an improvement in the contour of the thigh. The scars are normally hidden from sight since they are situated in the natural folds. Sometimes unsatisfactory results can occur, such as highly visible scar location, bunching and rippling in the skin near the suture lines or at the ends of the incisions. These imperfections can be corrected with secondary surgery. Liposuction can also produce irregular surfaces, which can likewise be corrected.