Loose skin on the upper legs causes two kinds of trouble. It changes how shorts, skirts and swimsuits look, and it rubs as you move, which can leave the skin irritated.
A thigh lift, also called thighplasty, removes excess skin and fat from the thighs and lifts and reshapes what remains for a smoother, tighter contour. The guide below draws on the practice guidance on thigh lift surgery in the Houston area published by Leo Lapuerta, MD, Plastic Surgery, and focuses on the first question most readers have: is this surgery for me?
Signs a thigh lift may fit
The practice describes the ideal candidate in a few lines. Use them as a self-check before you book a consultation.
- You have loose, sagging skin on the thighs after significant weight loss, or from aging.
- The loose skin rubs and causes irritation as you move.
- You are in good health.
- Your weight is healthy and stable, at or near your goal.
- Your expectations are reasonable, and you understand that results look different from one body to the next.
The practice suggests reviewing before-and-after photos of thigh lift patients to see the range of outcomes across body types. Dr. Lapuerta has more than 3,000 before-and-after images available for patients to review across his procedures.
Reasons to wait
If you are still trying to lose weight, the practice advises holding off until you reach your goal. Significant weight gain or loss after surgery can change the result, sometimes enough that a patient chooses another operation.
A thigh lift also counts as major surgery. The practice notes that it involves sedation or general anesthesia, incisions in the skin and a period of recovery, along with a risk of infection and other potential problems. Patients who cannot set aside time to heal should plan the surgery for a later date.
Inner, outer or mini
Your anatomy and goals decide which version a surgeon recommends. The inner and outer thighs need different approaches, and some patients need both.
Inner thigh lift
The incision starts near the top of the thigh, along the crease where the torso meets the leg, and runs down the inner thigh. The surgeon removes excess tissue and skin, may use liposuction to sculpt the area, and tightens the deeper soft tissue and muscle. The practice notes that doctors recommend this technique when a patient has lost 100 pounds or more and has excess skin running down toward the knee.
Outer thigh lift
Patients who need an outer thigh lift need the buttocks addressed as well in most cases. The surgeon pulls the outer thighs up, tightens them and secures them with sutures along the crease below the buttocks. Many patients also see improvement in skin irregularities such as cellulite dimples, though the practice says the surgery does not remove every imperfection.
Mini thigh lift
A mini thigh lift treats the inner thighs only and suits people with less loose skin located on the inner thigh. The incision is smaller, which means a smaller scar, a shorter recovery and, the practice says, less swelling and bruising than a full thigh lift.
Scars, recovery and combinations
Expect a scar. The practice states that a scarless thigh lift is rare, and the surgeon chooses the least noticeable areas for incisions. Depending on the approach, an incision may run from the groin down to the back of the thigh, or from the groin to the knee along the inside of the leg. Following the dressing and topical product instructions, and keeping the area clean, helps scars fade over time.
The practice performs thigh lifts under general anesthesia in an accredited surgical facility as an outpatient procedure. Recovery tends to take one to two weeks, though it varies by patient. Bandages and drainage tubes may be used, and restrictions stay in place until swelling goes down and the incisions begin to heal. At this practice, patients get Dr. Lapuerta’s approval before returning to lower body workouts.
One popular combination pairs a thigh lift with liposuction to slim the legs further. A thigh lift can also form part of a mommy makeover, alongside procedures such as a breast lift or tummy tuck.
Dr. Lapuerta is triple board certified and has more than 30 years of experience. He owns and operates a QuadA (AAAASF) accredited surgical facility and works with physician anesthesiologists. In his view, experience with a given procedure plus board certification best predicts an outcome patients are happy with, so ask any surgeon how many thigh lifts they have performed and which incision pattern they would plan for your legs.
This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Results vary from patient to patient. Consult a board-certified plastic surgeon or your physician about your own situation. Written in partnership with Joseph Lambert, a publicist working with Leo Lapuerta, MD Plastic Surgery.