A thigh lift reshapes the thighs by reducing excess skin, and in some cases fat, resulting in smoother skin and better-proportioned contours of the thighs and lower body.

Reasons for considering a Thigh Lift

Candidates for thigh lift are:

• People whose weight is relatively stable
• Individuals with excess soft tissue along the inner or medial thigh region and/or the outer thigh
• Healthy individuals who do not have medical conditions that can impair healing or increase risk of surgery
• Non-smokers
• Individuals with a positive outlook and realistic goals for what thigh lift surgery can accomplish
• Individuals committed to leading a healthy lifestyle including proper nutrition and fitness

General Procedure

Incision patterns vary based on the area or areas to be treated, degree of correction and patient and surgeon preference.  One common technique used for a thigh lift places incisions in the groin, extending downward 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.  You may qualify for a minimal incision medial thigh lift which involves an incision only in the groin area.

Improving the contours of the outer thigh may require an incision extending from the groin around the hip.  Through these incisions your plastic surgeon will tighten tissues for a smoother, better-toned lower body contour.  Advanced techniques usually allow incisions to be placed in strategic locations where they can be hidden by most types of clothing and swimsuits. However, incisions may be extensive. 

Deep support sutures within underlying tissues help to form the newly shaped contours. Sutures close the skin incisions.

Recovery Process

When your procedure is completed, dressing or bandages may be applied to your incisions, and you may be wrapped in an elastic bandage or a compression garment to minimize swelling and to support your new contours as you heal.