Thighplasty, commonly known as a thigh lift, is a procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the inner and/or outer thighs to provide a lifted, tightened appearance and improved contours. We most commonly perform this procedure for patients who have undergone significant weight loss, which can result in tissue laxity that cannot be eliminated without surgery and can obscure the efforts one has made to achieve a healthy weight and confidence in their body.
Who is a good candidate for a thigh lift?
If you are experiencing significant loose skin and excess fat along the thighs that is resistant to a balanced diet and exercise, a thigh lift could be the right solution for you. This surgery requires incisions that run along the inner thighs. Although these incisions will heal and fade to a degree, patients will need to be comfortable with the fact that scars may remain visible in certain clothing, in exchange for the benefits of improved contours. You should be in good overall health and at a stable weight before pursuing thigh lift surgery.
What will my thigh lift surgery be like?
Thigh lift surgery is performed under general anesthesia in our fully accredited in-house operating facility and takes approximately 2-4 hours. Vertical incisions are typically made along both inner thighs, sometimes paired with a horizontal incision in the groin region, to allow your surgeon access to the tissue to be removed. Following surgery, our attentive medical team will monitor your initial recovery in the calm, comfortable setting of our in-house recovery room. Your surgeon may ask you to stay overnight at the adjoined Parkside Hotel and will discuss this with you in advance if applicable.
How long is the recovery from a thigh lift?
Following surgery, you and their caregiver will be given instruction on dressings, pain management, and positioning by our dedicated nurses. You will be discharged with a supportive garment or dressing in place. We will see you again in-clinic for postoperative care with our nurses around 1-2 weeks after surgery and subsequently as needed to support your recovery journey. Moderate bruising, swelling, and discomfort are normal after a thigh lift.
You must refrain from strenuous physical activity and heavy lifting (including lifting and carrying your children) for about six weeks after surgery. Most patients return to physical jobs and start to reincorporate more aggressive physical activity around 4-6 weeks, gradually working up to their normal activity level. Supportive garments must be worn for at least six weeks.
As with any surgery, the healing process can vary from patient to patient and your final results will depend on many individual factors. It is important to be patient with your body; to allow yourself time to rest and recuperate and for your incisions to fully heal.
Your Questions Answered
We strive to ensure our patients are thoroughly informed and equipped with the resources they need to make the best decision for themselves. Your consultation will include a discussion of your health history, your goals, education on your procedure(s) of interest, and a detailed explanation of potential benefits, risks, and complications. Your surgeon will also perform a full exam of the proposed surgical area. For more information, you can also review our guide to the surgical process from consultation to recovery.
Prior to booking, you should ensure you have a responsible adult available to care for and assist you 24/7 for the first 3-5 days after surgery. This includes mobility assistance, incision care, caring for your pets or children, cleaning, and preparing meals. We also recommend having someone available to drive you to your post-op appointment(s).
As with any procedure, post-operative complications after a thigh lift are rare but possible. These may include bleeding (hematoma), blood clots (PE or DVT), infection, seroma, asymmetry, contour abnormalities, delayed healing, and/or unsatisfactory scarring.Our skilled surgical team prioritizes your safety and meticulously works to minimize these risks. You may experience altered sensations such as numbness or tingling for several weeks or months, which are normal and should resolve with time.