All Procedures
Thigh Lift (Thighplasty)
Useful information for patients on Thigh Lift procedures - improving the appearance of the upper legs.
What Is a Thigh Lift?
A thigh lift, also known as thighplasty, is a body-contouring procedure that removes excess skin and, when appropriate, fat from the thighs to create a smoother, firmer, and more proportionate contour.
Loose thigh skin commonly develops after significant weight loss, aging, changes in skin elasticity, or repeated weight fluctuations. Exercise can improve muscle tone and weight loss can reduce fat, but neither can reliably eliminate skin that has lost its elasticity.
The surgical approach depends on the location and extent of skin laxity.
A medial or upper thigh lift primarily addresses loose skin of the upper inner thigh. The incision is typically positioned within or near the groin crease and may extend a variable distance depending on the amount of tissue being removed.
A vertical thigh lift is designed for patients with more extensive skin laxity extending down the inner thigh. The incision extends vertically along the inner thigh and may reach toward or past the knee in patients with significant skin excess, particularly after massive weight loss.
Some patients require a combination of upper and vertical skin excision to achieve the most appropriate contour.
Liposuction may also be incorporated when excess fat is present. In patients with good skin elasticity and primarily excess fat, liposuction alone may sometimes be appropriate. When significant loose skin is present, however, surgical skin excision is generally necessary.
The principal trade-off of thigh-lift surgery is a permanent scar in exchange for removal of excess skin and improved thigh contour.
Who Is It For?
A thigh lift may be appropriate for patients who:
- Have loose, hanging, or sagging thigh skin
- Have significant skin laxity after major weight loss
- Have excess skin that does not improve with exercise or further weight reduction
- Experience inner-thigh chafing or irritation
- Experience recurrent rashes or hygiene difficulties within skin folds
- Have discomfort from excess skin during walking or exercise
- Have difficulty finding clothing that fits comfortably because of thigh skin excess
- Are at or near a stable, sustainable weight
- Are in good overall health
- Do not smoke or use nicotine, or are able to discontinue nicotine as directed before and after surgery
- Understand and accept the location and length of the resulting scars
- Have realistic expectations regarding contour improvement and scar quality
A thigh lift is not a weight-loss procedure. Patients should ideally complete most of their weight loss and maintain a stable weight before surgery.
Medial Thigh Lift vs. Vertical Thigh Lift
A medial or upper thigh lift is generally appropriate when skin laxity is concentrated primarily in the upper inner thigh. The scar can often be positioned predominantly within or near the groin crease.
A vertical thigh lift is generally required when loose skin extends farther down the inner thigh. This provides more powerful correction of extensive skin laxity but requires a longer vertical scar along the inner thigh.
Some patients with substantial weight-loss-related skin excess require both components.
The appropriate scar pattern is determined by the amount and location of loose skin, skin quality, previous weight loss, anatomy, and the patient's willingness to accept a longer scar in exchange for greater contour improvement.
Preparation
Before surgery, patients typically undergo a detailed medical history and physical examination.
Preparation may include:
- Evaluation of skin laxity, fat distribution, and thigh symmetry
- Maintaining a stable weight
- Discontinuing nicotine before and after surgery according to your surgeon's instructions
- Reviewing all prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, supplements, and weight-loss medications
- Temporarily discontinuing medications or supplements that may increase bleeding when medically appropriate
- Completing laboratory testing or medical clearance when indicated
- Assessing nutritional status in patients who have experienced substantial weight loss
- Arranging assistance during the early recovery period
Specific fasting, skin preparation, and medication instructions will be provided by the surgical and anesthesia team.
Useful Information
Ensure you consider all aspects of a procedure. You can speak to your surgeon about these areas of the surgery in more detail during a consultation.
Length
How Long Is the Procedure?
Operative time varies depending on whether an upper, vertical, or combined thigh lift is performed, whether liposuction is included, and whether other body-contouring procedures are performed simultaneously.
Anesthesia
Do I Need Anesthesia?
Thigh-lift surgery is typically performed under general anesthesia.
Inpatient/Outpatient
Is The Procedure Inpatient or Outpatient?
Many thigh lifts can be performed as outpatient procedures in appropriately selected patients. An overnight stay may be recommended depending on the extent of surgery, combined procedures, and individual medical circumstances.
Temporary surgical drains may be used depending on the extent of surgery and surgical technique.
Additional Information
Temporary effects may include:
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Tightness of the thighs
- Soreness or discomfort
- Temporary numbness or altered sensation
- Temporary difficulty with wide leg movements
- Firmness along the incisions
- Temporary asymmetry related to swelling
Swelling may extend into the lower legs and can take several weeks or months to fully resolve.
Potential risks include:
- Bleeding or hematoma
- Infection
- Seroma or fluid accumulation
- Delayed wound healing or wound separation
- Skin or fat necrosis
- Widened, thickened, or unfavorable scarring
- Scar migration, particularly near the groin crease
- Temporary or persistent changes in skin sensation
- Asymmetry
- Contour irregularity
- Persistent swelling
- Lymphatic swelling or lymphedema
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Pulmonary embolism
- Anesthesia-related complications
- Need for wound care, scar revision, or additional surgery
Because the inner thigh and groin are areas of frequent movement, moisture, and tension, wound-healing problems can occur during recovery. Careful activity modification and postoperative wound care are important.
Patients are encouraged to begin gentle walking shortly after surgery to promote circulation and reduce the risk of blood clots.
Walking should begin carefully, and patients may initially take shorter steps because of tightness along the inner thighs.
During early recovery, patients should avoid excessive separation of the legs, deep squatting, forceful stretching, and movements that place significant tension on the incisions.
Compression garments may be recommended for several weeks to provide support and help control swelling.
Many patients can return to desk-based or light work within approximately one to two weeks, although more extensive vertical thigh lifts may require additional recovery time.
Patients whose occupations require prolonged standing, significant walking, lifting, squatting, or other physical activity may require a longer period away from work.
Driving should be avoided while taking narcotic pain medication and until the patient can safely and comfortably enter and exit the vehicle and perform all movements necessary for driving.
Strenuous exercise and heavy lower-body activity should be avoided during early healing and gradually resumed according to the surgeon's instructions.
A thigh lift can provide:
- Removal of loose or hanging thigh skin
- Improved inner-thigh contour
- Reduced thigh circumference in selected patients
- Improved proportion between the thighs and surrounding body
- Reduced chafing and skin-fold irritation
- Improved comfort during physical activity
- Improved clothing fit
An improvement in contour is visible shortly after surgery, although swelling initially obscures the final result.
The thighs continue to settle and become more defined over several months as swelling resolves and the tissues heal. Final contour is generally assessed after this process has substantially progressed.
The scars are permanent. Scar length and location depend on the type and extent of thigh lift performed. Scars are generally most noticeable during early healing and gradually fade and soften over time. Scar maturation may continue for 12 to 18 months or longer.
Results are generally long-lasting when a stable weight and healthy lifestyle are maintained. Significant weight fluctuations and normal aging can affect skin elasticity and alter the result over time.
Individual results vary according to anatomy, degree of skin laxity, previous weight loss, skin quality, scar formation, weight stability, and overall health. Consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon experienced in body contouring is necessary to determine whether liposuction, an upper thigh lift, a vertical thigh lift, or a combined approach is most appropriate.