Thigh lift · Thighplasty
Thigh lift: Compare practices from our network
A thigh lift removes loose skin, and often some fat, from the inner or outer thighs to reshape them. It is a skin procedure, not a weight-loss treatment.
Our network
Thigh lift providers from Adoreal's partner network.
East Grinstead · United Kingdom
PANTHEONS Clinic
Inner and outer thigh lifts, or a combination of both, with a personalised plan from consultation to recovery.
East Grinstead · United Kingdom
PANTHEONS Clinic
Inner and outer thigh lifts, or a combination of both, with a personalised plan from consultation to recovery.
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How to choose a thigh lift surgeon
Board certification is the starting point. The details below are worth weighing carefully when you're choosing the surgeon who's right for your goals.
Here's what to look for before you decide:
The right incision depends on your skin, not on a house technique.
A groin-only lift, a vertical inner thigh lift and an outer thigh lift each trade scar length against how much correction is possible. A surgeon who explains why one suits your degree of laxity is matching the operation to you.
Ask exactly where the scar will sit.
Thigh scars are permanent, and groin scars can heal wider or darker before they fade. A surgeon who marks the likely scar on your body at consultation, rather than describing it vaguely, is being honest about the trade-off.
Liposuction alone is sometimes the better answer.
Where skin still has good elasticity, removing fat may be enough. A surgeon who tells you when a thigh lift is not needed is one you can trust when they say it is.
Weight stability comes first.
Most surgeons want your weight stable, and ideally close to your goal, before operating. A practice that insists on this is protecting your result, not delaying it unnecessarily.
Ask how they handle healing in the groin.
Incisions in the groin and inner thigh move with every step, so small wound problems are not unusual. What matters is a practice that manages them calmly and stays available. Ask how often it happens and what they do.
Before your consultation, prepare this question
“Which incision would you use for my thighs, and where exactly will the scar sit?”
A surgeon who shows you the likely scar and explains why that incision suits your skin is planning around you, not around a technique.
Find a Thigh Lift ProviderAbout the treatment
About thigh lift
A thigh lift, also called thighplasty, removes excess skin and fatty tissue from the upper legs and tightens what remains, for a smoother, more proportionate contour. Loose thigh skin can follow significant weight loss, but aging and genetics play a part too.
It is one of the procedures within excess skin removal. If loose skin is a concern in several areas after major weight loss, that page explains how surgeons plan and stage the whole sequence. This page goes into the thighs specifically: which incision suits which problem, and what recovery looks like.
Inner, outer, vertical or groin-only
- Inner (medial) thigh lift, for loose skin on the inside of the upper thigh. A limited lift uses an incision in the groin crease only.
- Vertical inner thigh lift, for more extensive laxity: the incision runs down the inner thigh, sometimes toward the knee, in addition to or instead of the groin.
- Outer (lateral) thigh lift, where the incision extends from the groin around the hip, and is often planned together with a lower body lift.
- Liposuction, commonly combined to remove fat before the skin is tightened.
What does a thigh lift involve?
A thigh lift removes excess skin, and often some fat, from the upper legs and tightens what remains. It is one of the procedures within excess skin removal, focused on the thighs alone.
It suits loose skin after significant weight loss, and skin that has loosened with age or genetics.
The techniques available
Your surgeon chooses the incision from the location and amount of loose skin:
Inner thigh lift, through an incision in the groin crease.
Vertical inner thigh lift, adding an incision down the inner thigh for more extensive laxity.
Outer thigh lift, with an incision from the groin around the hip, often alongside a lower body lift.
Liposuction, commonly combined to refine the contour.
Are you a candidate?
Your surgeon will usually want you to be:
At a relatively stable weight, ideally close to your goal
Bothered by loose or sagging skin on the inner or outer thighs
A non-smoker, since smoking impairs wound healing
In good general health, without conditions that impair healing
Realistic about scarring, which can be long with a vertical or outer thigh lift
The treatment, step by step
01. Consultation and assessment. Your surgeon examines your thighs, reviews your weight history and health, and discusses the incision and scar.
02. Preparation and marking. Instructions on medication and smoking, then incision lines marked on the day.
03. Anesthesia. Usually general anesthesia, often as day surgery, sometimes with one night's stay.
04. Liposuction. Often used first to remove excess fat.
05. Skin removal and lift. Excess skin is removed and the remaining tissue lifted and anchored with deep sutures.
06. Closing and support. Incisions closed, drains placed when needed, and a compression garment fitted.
Recovery and aftercare
Walking is encouraged from the first day, while the thighs are protected from strain as the incisions heal.
Wear compression garments as directed, often for around four weeks
Any drains are usually removed within the first days
Expect swelling and bruising that fade over the first weeks
Return to desk work typically after one to four weeks
Unrestricted exercise usually at around six weeks, with thigh-loading exercise sometimes later
The contour settles over three to twelve months, and scars keep fading after that.
Risks and side effects
Complications are possible, and groin and inner-thigh incisions heal under movement:
Wound healing problems, small open areas or separation along the incision.
Seroma, fluid collecting under the skin.
Blood clots, uncommon, and reduced with early walking and preventive measures.
Visible scarring, permanent, and sometimes wider or darker before it fades.
Changes in sensation, numbness that can be temporary or lasting.
Infection, uncommon, and usually treated with antibiotics.
Asymmetry, which occasionally needs revision.
When to seek medical attention
- Swelling or pain in one leg, chest pain, or shortness of breath
- Fever, or spreading redness, warmth, or discharge from an incision
- An incision that opens or separates
- Severe pain not controlled by prescribed medication
Contact your surgeon's practice directly, or seek emergency care, if you experience any of the above.
Common questions
Thigh lift questions, answered.
If your question isn't here, ask us directly. A real person answers, and we won't push you toward anything.
Talk to us →How is a thigh lift different from excess skin removal?
A thigh lift is one of the procedures within excess skin removal. If you have loose skin in several areas after major weight loss, your surgeon may plan the thighs as one stage of a wider sequence, which our excess skin removal page explains.
What is the difference between an inner and an outer thigh lift?
An inner thigh lift treats loose skin on the inside of the thigh, through a groin incision and sometimes a vertical one down the inner thigh. An outer thigh lift treats the outer thigh and hip, with an incision that extends around the hip.
Where will the scars be?
Usually in the groin crease, where underwear or swimwear can cover it. A vertical lift adds a scar along the inner thigh, and an outer lift one around the hip. Scars may look wider or darker at first and typically fade over many months.
Can liposuction do the same job?
Only when skin elasticity is good. Liposuction removes fat but does not remove loose skin, so where the skin has stretched, a thigh lift, often combined with liposuction, is usually recommended.
Do I need to reach my goal weight first?
Ideally you should be at a stable weight and close to your goal. Losing a lot of weight afterwards can loosen the skin again and change the result.
How much time off work will I need?
Typically one to four weeks, depending on how much skin is removed, whether other procedures are combined, and how physical your job is.
When can I exercise again?
Walking is encouraged from the start. Gentle exercise usually builds up over the first weeks, with unrestricted exercise at around six weeks. Some surgeons ask you to wait longer for squats, lunges and other thigh-loading moves.
Will I need drains and a compression garment?
Drains are sometimes used, particularly with a vertical incision, and are usually removed within days. A compression garment is standard, often worn for around four weeks.
Is a thigh lift covered by insurance or public healthcare?
Usually not when it is done for appearance. Where excess skin causes documented problems, such as eczema, chafing or difficulty keeping clean, public or insurance funding is sometimes possible. Rules vary by country and region, so ask the practice directly.
How long do the results last?
The skin that is removed does not come back, and results are long lasting as long as your weight stays stable. Aging and weight change can still alter the thighs over time.
Related treatments
More on thigh lift.
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What happens to excess skin when you lose weight?
With large weight loss, skin can remain loose because it has been stretched for too long, causing a loss of elasticity. Surgery is often the most effective solution.
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How painful is skin removal surgery?
You feel no pain during surgery. Afterward, discomfort is most intense in the first few days and gradually decreases, managed with prescribed painkillers.
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How to lose weight without excess skin
These strategies help maintain your skin's elasticity, reducing the chance of sagging skin as you lose weight.