Thigh Lift
A thigh lift is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the thighs to improve contour and create a smoother, more toned appearance.
Thigh Lift
Overview
A thigh lift helps you achieve smoother, more toned legs that complement the rest of your figure. Whether caused by weight loss, aging, or genetics, sagging skin on the thighs can affect comfort and confidence. This procedure removes excess skin and fat while tightening the remaining tissue, creating firmer, more sculpted contours. A thigh lift is ideal for those looking to restore youthful leg proportions and feel more at ease in fitted clothing or swimwear.
What Types of Thigh Lifts Do we Do?
Several types of thigh lifts are available, each tailored to specific concerns:
Inner Thigh Lift: This focuses on the inner thighs, where sagging skin often accumulates. An incision is made along the groin crease, allowing the surgeon to remove excess skin and tighten the remaining tissue. This approach is ideal for those with moderate skin laxity.
Vertical Thigh Lift: For patients with significant skin laxity, this technique involves an incision along the inner thigh from the groin to the knee. This allows for extensive skin removal and reshaping but results in a more visible scar.
Mini Thigh Lift: This less invasive option is ideal for patients with minimal skin laxity in the upper inner thighs. The incision is smaller and located along the groin, resulting in a quicker recovery and less scarring.
Each technique is carefully chosen based on your unique anatomy, goals, and the amount of skin and fat to be addressed.
About the Procedure
Why are Thigh Lifts Done?
Thigh lifts are performed for several reasons, including:
- Removing excess skin and fat for smoother, more toned thighs.
- Restoring contour and proportion after significant weight loss.
- Reducing discomfort caused by sagging skin, such as chafing or irritation.
- Enhancing self-confidence and body image.
A thigh lift helps create a balanced, youthful appearance that complements the rest of the body’s contours.
How Long Do Thigh Lift Results Last?
Thigh lift results are long-lasting, especially when paired with a stable weight and a healthy lifestyle. While the natural aging process may affect skin elasticity over time, maintaining your weight and fitness can help preserve your results for many years.
Who is a Good Candidate for a Thigh Lift?
You’re a good candidate for a thigh lift if you’re in good overall health and looking to focus on your thighs as a way to achieve a slimmer, more youthful look.
Ideal candidates:
- Have excess skin and fat in the thighs due to aging or weight loss.
- Struggle with skin laxity that cannot be addressed through exercise alone.
- Are nonsmokers or can stop smoking before surgery.
- Are close to their target weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
It’s important to have realistic expectations and be motivated by personal goals. Your decision to pursue surgery should always be about achieving your own objectives, not how you look to others.
How to Prepare for a Thigh Lift
Patients should stop smoking at least four weeks before surgery, as smoking can impair healing. Your surgeon may also advise you to avoid certain medications, such as blood thinners, that increase bleeding risk. It’s important to arrange for transportation and post-surgery care, as you’ll need assistance during the initial recovery period. Prior to surgery, your surgeon will provide specific instructions on fasting and any pre-operative tests. Following these guidelines closely will help ensure a successful procedure and optimal results.
What Happens During the Surgery?
Thigh lift surgery is performed under general anesthesia and lasts two to four hours, depending on the type of lift. For an inner thigh lift, incisions are made along the groin crease to tighten and reshape the upper inner thighs. A vertical thigh lift involves a vertical incision along the inner thigh from the groin to the knee, ideal for significant sagging. A mini thigh lift uses smaller groin incisions to refine the upper inner thighs. After removing excess skin, and if necessary using liposuction to remove fat deposits, the remaining tissue is tightened, incisions are closed, and a compression garment is applied to support healing.
Risks
Like any surgery, thigh lifts carry potential risks, including infection, bleeding, scarring, and fluid accumulation (seroma). Numbness or uneven contours may occur, though these are typically temporary. Our surgical expertise and proper post-operative care will minimize these risks.
Benefits
A thigh lift offers numerous benefits, both physical and emotional. By removing excess skin and stubborn fat, the procedure enhances thigh contour and proportion, creating a smoother, more toned appearance. It can significantly improve comfort, reducing issues like chafing or irritation caused by loose skin. Many patients experience a boost in confidence, feeling more comfortable in clothing, swimwear, and everyday activities. Additionally, a thigh lift complements other body contouring procedures, helping achieve a balanced and harmonious overall look that helps you feel your best in your own skin.
Recovery
Recovery from a thigh lift typically takes several weeks. Most patients return to light activities within one to two weeks but should avoid strenuous exercise and heavy lifting for four to six weeks. Swelling and bruising are common and subside gradually.
In some cases, we may place a drain or multiple drains during the procedure to help remove tissue fluid and promote proper healing. Placed at your surgeon’s discretion, the drains may remain in place for one to two weeks or longer, depending on the amount of fluid output and are typically removed during a follow-up appointment when drainage decreases to an appropriate level. Compression garments can also support the healing process, reducing swelling, and improving contour. Final results become apparent over several months as your body adjusts and swelling resolves.
FAQ
How painful is a thigh lift?
Discomfort is typically mild to moderate and improves within the first week, managed with prescribed medication.
Will there be visible scars?
Yes, but incisions are placed discreetly and fade significantly over time with proper care.
How soon can I return to work?
Most patients can return to work within about two weeks, depending on the nature of their job.
How long do thigh lift results last?
Thigh lift results are long-lasting, particularly when paired with a stable weight and healthy lifestyle. Aging can affect skin elasticity over time, but maintaining a healthy weight will help preserve your results.
Can I combine a thigh lift with other procedures?
Yes, thigh lifts are often combined with liposuction, tummy tucks, or other body contouring procedures for comprehensive results.
What should I avoid after surgery?
Avoid smoking, heavy lifting, and activities that strain the thighs to promote optimal healing.
Complementary Procedures
Liposuction is typically performed in conjunction with thigh lifts, helping to refine contours and address stubborn fat deposits in adjacent areas like the hips or buttocks. We can readily add liposuction in other areas as well. For patients who have undergone significant weight loss, a tummy tuck or lower body lift may be included to tighten loose skin in the abdomen and waist. Pairing a thigh lift with procedures such as arm lifts or breast surgeries can further harmonize the body’s proportions.
For more detailed information please contact our office or book a consultation.
From Our Patients
At Evolve Your Life, we’re committed to delivering a world-class experience through attentive, responsive, and compassionate care. How are we doing?
See what some of our patients have to say:
Kiersten Obermayer
Dr. Dorafshar is absolutely amazing. He truly cares about the results as well as the patient. He checked up on me multiple times through my recovery and my results are amazing already after 10 days! Can’t wait to see them when I’m fully healed!
Khyla Tatak
Talk about a great experience overall. Dr. Dorafshar made me feel at ease, answered all of my questions and set realistic expectations on recovery. Constantly checked in to make sure I was doing ok during the first week post surgery. His team set the bar high. I’m so incredibly happy with my results.
“Anyone seeking out a great surgeon who will work with your needs and help you feel like the best version of yourself, I highly recommend Dr. Amir Dorafshar.”
—Iliana Diana
See yourself. Be yourself.
At Evolve Your Life, we know how important it is to look in the mirror every day and see a reflection that feels like your own.
