A thigh lift is a surgical procedure that will reshape and firm the thigh through the removal of fatty deposits from the inner and outer thigh area. Liposuction is used to suck out fatty tissue, excess skin is trimmed away, and the skin is pulled tighter to give the thigh a firmer appearance. An inner thigh lift takes care of the inner portion of the thigh, a bilateral thigh lift will work on the front and outer portion of the thigh, and a medial thigh lift handles the upper portion of the thigh. Certain scars from incisions will be hidden in natural creases of the body so that they will not be as obvious.
Thigh lifts have grown consistently in demand over recent years. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, body contouring procedures that address skin laxity (including thigh lifts) rank among the most sought-after surgical options for patients who have experienced significant weight loss, the effects of aging or the physical changes that follow pregnancy. For many of these patients, diet and exercise simply cannot address loose, sagging skin. A thigh lift meets that need with highly targeted and long-lasting results.
Procedure Walk-Through
Preparation: To prepare for a thigh lift, you should stop taking certain blood-thinning medications at least two weeks before your procedure. Dr. Vallecillos may prescribe you other medications to aid healing. Smoking should be stopped two weeks before any type of surgical procedure. Medical clearance by an independent physician is necessary for patients over the age of 45.
Anesthesia: Most patients will undergo general anesthesia for a thigh lift, though twilight anesthesia may also be used, where the patient is sedated but still remains awake.
A thigh lift is comprised of a combination of surgical procedures and techniques to reshape and contour the thighs. Dr. Vallecillos will discuss beforehand which options are best for you, depending on your specific circumstances. During the surgery, any (or all) of the following methods may be utilized:
Medial Thigh Lift
Outer Thigh Lift
The placement and length of incisions will depend on the patient’s individual condition. Some patients may qualify for a minimal incision near the groin, while others may require incisions that extend from the groin around the hip. Dr. Vallecillos will minimize their visibility as much as possible by placing them in strategic locations. Once the incisions are made, the surgeon will tighten the underlying tissue, remove excess skin, and re-drape and tighten the remaining skin. The result is a reshaped and contoured thigh.
How Are Thigh Lifts Customized to Each Patient?
No two patients present identically, and Dr. Vallecillos approaches every thigh lift as a precision procedure tailored to each patient’s anatomy, goals and health profile. Several variables affect the approach that Dr. Vallecillos takes, before and during the procedure.
Skin laxity is one of the most influential factors when it comes to forming an effective surgical approach. Patients with mild to moderate excess skin may qualify for a minimal-incision technique, where the incision stays within the natural crease of the groin. Those with more pronounced sagging often require longer incisions extending from the groin around the hip. This allows Dr. Vallecillos to address a wider range of concerns across the inner and outer thigh.
The distribution and depth of fatty tissue also play a role in the surgical approach. In many cases, liposuction is performed alongside the thigh lift to remove stubborn deposits before the skin is tightened and re-draped. This combined approach produces a more refined, natural-looking contour than skin tightening alone could achieve.
Skin quality is another key consideration. Patients with compromised elasticity may benefit from adjunctive treatments to support skin retraction and minimize the risk of contour irregularities. Dr. Vallecillos evaluates skin thickness, tone and overall condition as part of his pre-surgical assessment to determine the most appropriate technique.
Your personal motivations and goals carry as much weight as the above factors. Whether you want a subtle refinement or a more dramatic recontouring, Dr. Vallecillos designs your procedure around your vision.
Thigh Lift Recovery and Aftercare
Knowing what to expect during recovery makes the entire experience easier to navigate. While every patient heals at their own pace, the recovery process for a thigh lift generally follows a predictable timeline.
Weeks 1 to 2
During this initial window, swelling, bruising and tightness in the treated area are normal and expected. Compression garments are typically worn throughout this period to reduce swelling and provide structural support for the newly contoured tissues. Most patients are advised to rest and avoid any strenuous activity.
Weeks 3 to 6
As swelling begins to subside, the newly redefined contours of your thighs will start to emerge. Light daily activities and desk work are usually appropriate during this phase, though high-impact exercise and heavy lifting will still be advised against. Incision sites will also begin to fade during this window.
Months 2 to 6
Final results continue to reveal themselves as residual swelling clears and the skin fully settles. Scars will continue fading throughout this period. Consistent sun protection on incision areas helps minimize their long-term visibility. Most patients consider their results finalized by the six-month mark.
Dr. Vallecillos will provide you with personalized aftercare instructions following your procedure, including detailed guidance on compression garment use, wound care, activity restrictions and follow-up scheduling. For a general overview of post-operative care at our practice, visit the Surgical Aftercare page.
Are Thigh Lifts Paired With Other Procedures?
Yes, thigh lifts are frequently paired with a range of complementary body contouring procedures, allowing patients to address multiple concerns in one surgery with one recovery period. Dr. Vallecillos commonly combines thigh lifts with the following:
Liposuction
Liposuction removes stubborn fat deposits from the inner and outer thigh before the skin is tightened and re-draped. For patients who present with excess fat alongside skin laxity, this combined approach produces a significantly more refined and proportionate result than skin-tightening surgery alone.
BodyTite
BodyTite uses radiofrequency energy to target and eliminate fat cells while stimulating collagen activity for skin tightening. Pairing BodyTite with a thigh lift can be especially effective for patients concerned about how well the surrounding skin will retract following the procedure.
Lower Body Lift
For patients dealing with significant skin laxity across multiple areas of the lower body (especially those who have undergone major weight loss), a lower body lift may be recommended in combination with a thigh lift. This broader approach addresses the buttocks, hips, outer thighs and abdomen in a single surgical session and can be tailored to include targeted thigh lifting as part of the plan.
Mommy Makeover
A mommy makeover is a customizable combination of procedures designed to address the physical changes that follow pregnancy and breastfeeding. For patients whose thighs are among the areas affected, a thigh lift can be incorporated into the makeover plan, delivering comprehensive body contouring results within a single procedure and a single recovery.
Dr. Vallecillos will review your anatomy and goals during your consultation to determine which approach, singular or combined, makes the most sense for your situation.
Why Choose Dr. Vallecillos for a Thigh Lift?
Dr. Glenn Vallecillos, MD, FACS is a board-certified plastic surgeon based in Beverly Hills with a national and international reputation for surgical precision, artistry and patient-centered care. His expertise spans the full range of surgical body contouring, and he brings that same meticulous attention to every thigh lift he performs.
An active national speaker, Dr. Vallecillos is a regular contributor to respected publications, including the European Journal of Plastic Surgery. As a Senior Faculty Member of Palette/Scientiae, he provides continuing medical education to nurses, physicians and surgeons throughout the United States and beyond. He also holds advisory roles with Allergan, Suneva and Hans Biomed, alongside his work as a clinical investigator for Mentor Corporation.
His philosophy emphasizes personal fulfillment and development as much as it focuses on technical skill. “We provide a service that spans far beyond a surgical procedure or a treatment,” says Dr. Vallecillos. “At its fundamental level, every surgery is deeply rooted to a person’s sense of well-being.”
That commitment shows up at every stage of your care. When you choose the office of Dr. Vallecillos, you’re choosing a surgeon who takes your outcome personally.
Ready for Results You’ll Love?
A thigh lift can do more than reshape your silhouette. It can change the way you feel in your clothes and in your own skin. If sagging skin or stubborn fat has been a persistent source of frustration, a thigh lift is a highly effective, lasting solution in the hands of a skilled and patient-centered surgeon.
To schedule a consultation with Dr. Vallecillos, contact our Beverly Hills office at (310) 273-3007 or schedule online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I a Good Candidate for a Thigh Lift?
You should consider a thigh lift if you are an adult and suffer from excess fat, soft tissue, or sagging skin on the inner, medial, or outer areas of the thighs. It is important that your weight is relatively stable before undergoing a thigh lift, as excessive weight gain and loss can diminish the longevity of your results.
Are there risks or side effects with a thigh lift?
Most patients experience bruising, tenderness, and swelling after a thigh lift surgery. Other, rare side effects can include unfavorable scarring, bleeding, infection, and fluid accumulation. You should discuss all possible risks and side effects with Dr. Vallecillos before the procedure.
How long do the results last?
Barring any weight gain or future pregnancies, the results of a thigh lift can last for up to ten years.
What is the difference between a medial thigh lift and a bilateral thigh lift?
A medial thigh lift addresses the inner thigh and upper leg, targeting skin laxity and excess fat in the area most prone to sagging and friction. The incision is made at the groin crease, and the tissue is lifted and tightened from this access point.
A bilateral thigh lift works on the front and outer portions of the thigh. It typically involves a longer incision that extends from the groin, around the hip and toward the buttock crease, giving the surgeon access to address laxity across a wider surface area of the leg.
Will I have visible scars after a thigh lift?
Some degree of scarring is a reality of any surgical procedure that involves incisions. Dr. Vallecillos takes significant care to position incisions in naturally concealed locations (typically within the groin crease or along the inner thigh) where they are easily covered by underwear and swimwear. Scars are most visible in the weeks immediately following surgery and will fade considerably over the following six to 12 months. Consistent sun protection and scar management, as directed by Dr. Vallecillos, support this process.
Can a thigh lift help with skin laxity after major weight loss?
Yes, and this is among the most common motivations for thigh lift surgery. After significant weight loss (whether through diet and exercise, bariatric surgery or a GLP-1 medication), the skin of the inner and outer thigh frequently fails to retract on its own, leaving behind loose, sagging tissue that no amount of toning can address. A thigh lift removes this excess skin and reshapes the remaining tissue, producing a result that weight loss alone cannot achieve. For the best outcome, your weight should be stable for at least six months prior to surgery.
How much does a thigh lift cost?
The cost of a thigh lift varies based on several factors, including the scope of the procedure, whether it is combined with other treatments such as liposuction or BodyTite, anesthesia fees, facility fees and the surgeon’s experience. A personalized cost estimate will be provided during your consultation with Dr. Vallecillos. Financing options are available. Visit our Financing page for more information.