A General Anaesthetic is required in all cases.
Please refer to https://www.meadowlarksurgicalcosmetic.com under Medial Thigh Lipectomy in the menu.
+ How long does the operation last?
Approximately one and a half hours to two and a half hours.
+ Where is the surgery done?
Dr Giuffre uses a private surgical suite adjacent to his Meadowlark Health Centre Office(#176) for his cosmetic procedures.
Please see https://www.meadowlarksurgicalcosmetic.com
The incision starts by the outer hip bone, 1-2mm above the groin crease.
The incision follows the crease, through the inside upper thigh to the buttock crease.
Up to 7cm of skin and fat are removed.
Medial Thigh Liposuction may also be done at the same time.
The incisions are then closed by lifting the inner thigh skin to the groin and buttock crease.
Dissolving sutures and surgical clips are used.
+ Will there be a scar?
Yes. Any incision in the skin, regardless of where in the body will heal with a scar. The scar will mature (the scar color goes from red, to pink, to white, and the scar softens and becomes pliable) which can take 1-2 years. Medical paper tape placed directly over the incision and changed weekly for 3 months will help speed up the process of scar maturation.
+ Will I have stitches?
Yes. They are under the skin and absorb (disappear by themselves) therefore, there are no sutures removed.
The additional use of surgical staples to reinforce the incisions is often used. These are removed within 5-6 days after surgery.
Before the surgery, with the patient standing, the surgical plan is made by drawing on the groin area and in some cases the inner thigh seam.
The amount of skin and fat excision is planned. This is often 7 centimetres or more in width.
A photo graph is taken. The patient will receive a copy of the preoperative photograph at the 6 week check with Dr. Giuffre.
Once the patient is asleep (General Anaesthetic) the incisions are made.
The excess skin and fat is removed; the muscles are left undisturbed.
The incisions are then closed with self-dissolving stitching under the skin.
A drainage tube may be place in the surgery site but this is uncommon.
+ What happens after my surgery?
You will have a firm tensor bandage-like binder dressing on for the first day after surgery.
You will be seen the next day after surgery where all of the dressings will be removed.
You may then shower. No further dressings are required.
You are discouraged from having a bath, hot tub, or swimming for 6 weeks following surgery.
You are encouraged to walk the day of surgery to avoid the risk of blood clots in your legs (during the surgery you will have had special sequential stocking on your legs that maintains normal leg circulation)
If there is a drainage tube, it will be removed when the drainage is 25cc’s in 24 hours for a day or two.
You are encouraged to ambulate the day of surgery in order to avoid the risk of developing blood clots in your legs.
Resumption of regular light daily living tasks is encouraged
Arrangements will be made to see Dr. Giuffre at 6 weeks postoperatively
Before waking from the surgery, Dr. Giuffre will inject a long acting local anesthetic into the thigh area to decrease any immediate leg discomfort from the surgery.
When the freezing wears off, the patient will require postoperative analgesic medication (pain killers) for up to a week. The discomfort typically subsides after the first two to three days following the surgery.
*Patients taking prescription pain killers should not drive a car, operate machinery, or sign significant documents while taking this medication.
+ Do I go home the same day as Surgery?
Yes. You will have to arrange a ride and aftercare with a responsible adult.
You are not permitted to leave unaccompanied or in a taxi.
+ I live out of town. Should I stay overnight?
If your driving distance from Edmonton exceeds 90 minutes, you should make arrangements to stay overnight in Edmonton.
The surgical centre does not have an overnight care facility.
You will then be seen the following day for dressing removal and assessment by Dr. Giuffre and his staff.
Yes. Dr. Giuffre provides his home phone number to his cosmetic patients in case there is a patient concern.
In the rare instance that a patient requires hospitalization, Dr. Giuffre has admitting privileges to all the major hospitals in Edmonton.
+ When do I see my surgeon after surgery?
You will be seen the day following surgery by Dr. Giuffre and/or his nursing staff, and again within the week following your surgery by Dr. Giuffre.
Further follow up arrangements will be made at that time.
+ When can I shower?
A shower is okay after the first dressing change, which is usually done the next day after surgery. It is okay to get the incision wet from a shower, but Dr. Giuffre recommends that you avoid a hot tub or bath, swimming pools, lakes, or ocean swimming for 6 weeks following surgery.
+ In what position can I sleep?
Any position that is comfortable.
+ When can I resume relations with my partner?
6 weeks is recommended.
+ What should I do to minimize scarring?
Vitamin E oil and Bio oil are not proven to positively impact scar healing.
Dr. Giuffre recommends medical paper-tape be placed on the incision for 3 months, changed weekly by the patient.
+ How long should I plan to be off work?
The typical time off work is two weeks. If your work is extremely strenuous and involves heavy lifting, the time off work will be longer.
+ How long am I off sports and my workouts?
No sports or strenuous activity for 6 weeks. Patients are to avoid strenuous activity that increases their heart rate and blood pressure. This could produce bleeding inside the surgical site. The rule of thumb is, if you are sweating from the activity, you are over doing it and you are placing yourself at risk.
Regular food and beverage consumption, as the patient did preoperatively, is recommended.
+ Are there before and after pictures?
Yes. Every patient that Dr. Giuffre operates on for cosmetic reasons will have a preoperative photograph taken. At the 6 week check up with Dr. Giuffre, his patients are given an 8 x 10 preoperative photograph.
Postoperative photos are also taken in some instances.
