Thigh lifts, or thighplasty, are a procedure designed to reshape and contour either the inner or outer areas of the thighs. This technique involves removing excess fat and skin to help form a well-proportioned and more natural, toned appearance.

The specifics of a thigh lift treatment are determined and designed on a per-patient basis. Each patient has different needs and circumstances that will help dictate the number and location of the incisions.

Before treatment begins, anesthesia is administered to keep you comfortable and pain-free.

Request an Appointment

The Process of Thigh Lift

During liposuction surgery, your surgeon will make small incisions along the targeted areas of the thighs to allow them to better contour the thighs and achieve the shape you desire. Once the fat and excess skin have been removed, your surgeon will carefully close each incision. After the surgeon has completed the process, the incisions will be closed, potentially leaving tiny scars. Liposuction alone usually will not help in any skin reduction. You can expect your surgeon will give you specific postoperative care instructions to help maximize your healing and recovery time. The results of your surgery will be immediately visible, but it will take time for your body to fully recover.

Surgical thigh lift will require either general anesthesia or awake tumescent anesthesia depending upon a number of factors including patient preference. Liposuction is usually performed with the surgery. A surgical incision is made in the inner thigh with the length of incision depending upon specific patient findings on exam and their desires. Surgical removal of skin yields the best skin tightening results.

FAQ’s about Thigh Lift

How long will it be before I see results?

That depends upon the procedure that you choose. Surgical thigh lift (skin removed) yields the quickest results but generally has more risks. Most patients will see 90% of their ultimate thigh lift results within six weeks after surgery. For the first few weeks after surgery, there is postoperative swelling. The rate at which this swelling subsides depends on the surgeon’s surgical technique and method for postoperative care. Final results may take six months or longer.

Will I be in pain?

The surgical thigh lift can be performed with either general anesthesia in a certified outpatient surgical facility or in the surgeon’s specialized procedure room in his office depending upon various patient’s factors and amount of correction needed. Your post-operative pain will be the same with either anesthesia technique.

With general anesthesia, you will experience no operative pain or discomfort. With awake tumescent anesthesia, patients will receive pre-operative medication to help them relax so that they can more easily tolerate the initial discomfort with administering the tumescent anesthesia into the treatment area. The tumescent technique produces profound and long-lasting local anesthesia of the skin and subcutaneous fat. Since the patient is awake and relaxed, they can notify the surgeon immediately of any discomfort. They can also reposition themselves to allow for better liposuction results.

The nonsurgical thigh skin tightening can be performed with either topical anesthesia or tumescent anesthesia.

How long does Surgical Thigh Lift and Nonsurgical RF Thigh Tightening take?

Surgical Thigh Lift Procedure

The time required for a surgical thigh lift procedure depends on the extent of the skin excision or treatment area and whether liposuction will be necessary as an adjunct to obtain the best results. Generally, from the time that you arrive at the facility until the time that you are discharged home will require several hours.

Nonsurgical RF Thigh Tightening

The time required for the radiofrequency (RF) deep skin tightening with microneedles requires more time due to approximately 45-60 minutes for the application of topical anesthesia or administration of tumescent anesthesia. Generally, a total of about 2-3 hours is needed to perform the radiofrequency deep skin tightening with microneedles procedure.

Nonsurgical & Non-invasive Thigh Tightening

The time required for radiofrequency (RF) surface skin tightening is usually 60 minutes requiring 6 sessions and requires no anesthesia.

How much does Surgical Thigh Lift and Nonsurgical RF Thigh Tightening cost?

The fee for an Thigh Lift or Nonsurgical RF BodyTite procedure has a fairly large range depending upon the extent of correction needed, possible anesthesia fee, possible facility fee, and ancillary treatments such as liposuction. The RF BodyTite procedure can usually be performed with awake tumescent anesthesia resulting in much lower costs.

The fee for Nonsurgical Thigh Tightening depends on whether the radiofrequency (RF) surface skin tightening which requires no anesthesia but 6 sessions or the radiofrequency (RF) deep skin tightening with microneedles is selected with topical or tumescent anesthesia.

For an accurate estimate, it is necessary to have a consultation with the surgeon.

What is the recovery like?

  • Home Care: You will be discharged home to the care of a responsible adult.
  • Activities: Plan to rest in bed immediately after treatment.  Later in the day, short walks are good. Resume light daily activities the following day after your procedure. Depending upon extending the procedure and your tolerance for discomfort. You may be required to miss work from a few days to 2 weeks. Resume exercise gradually as tolerated by “listening” to your body’s messages.
  • Elastic Compression Garment: Wear your compression garment for the first few weeks.
  • Wound Care and Drainage: Some blood-tinged drainage is expected for usually the first several days.
  • Bathing: It is recommended not to shower or bathe for the first 7 days or so after surgery. Sponge bath s available.
  • Diet: Resume light foods as tolerated immediately after surgery.
  • Follow-up Appointment: Usually 3-7 days after your procedure.

What are the risks of thigh lift surgery?

As with all surgical and nonsurgical procedures, there are inherent risks. The specific risks and suitability of this procedure for a given individual can only be fully determined at the time of consultation with your cosmetic surgeon. All procedures have some degree of complications. The nonsurgical procedures have the smallest risks with the surgical options having more risks. Surgical options yield the best skin tightening results for severe droopy thigh skin. Most are minor and rarely affect the overall cosmetic results, occur occasionally such as swelling, bruising, minor lumps and bumps, and skin numbness.

Major complications are uncommon but include significant cosmetic irregularities such as lumps and bumps, poor contouring or body shape, indentations, scarring, skin necrosis, discoloration of the skin, infections, injury to the underlying nerves or blood vessels, numbness, persistent pain, the possible need for revisional surgery, bleeding or hematomas, or seromas. Some major complications can take months to resolve or improve, or maybe permanent and should be discussed with your surgeon prior to the proposed procedure.

For more information on arm lifts or to schedule an appointment, please don’t hesitate to contact us today at (423) 926-2400.