Thigh Lift

Improve and reshape the contours of your thighs

A thigh lift (thighplasty) tightens the skin of the thigh, reduces sagging in the inner or outer thigh, and makes the thighs look more proportionate to the buttocks, abs and legs. Fitness and weight loss may help strengthen and tone this area, but may not affect the saggy, flabby and/or dimply skin, lost elasticity, weakened tissue or localized fat deposits. This procedure will help attain firmer, more youthful looking thighs.

Is a Thigh Lift right for Me?

As with other cosmetic procedures, thigh lift surgery is a personal decision. It should be done only to help you feel positive about your appearance rather than to fit a particular image or ideal.

Good candidates for thigh lift surgery are individuals who:

  • Maintain a relatively stable weight
  • Have excess soft tissue along the inner or medial thigh region and/or the outer thigh
  • Are healthy, with no underlying medical conditions or illness which may impair healing
  • Are non-smokers
  • Lead a healthy lifestyle, including proper nutrition

How Thigh Lift Surgery is Performed

For an inner thigh lift, Dr. Dawes makes an incision in the groin fold, and lifts up and tightens the skin and tissue. Patients who have more fat and loose skin may require a vertical thighplasty. This procedure involves making a vertical incision that starts at the groin crease and extends to the inner knee. An outer thigh lift involves making an incision that extends from the groin and around the hip.

Are There Different Types of Thigh Lifts?

A thigh lift isn’t performed in exactly the same manner for every patient. Yours will be tailored to the amount of tightening that’s needed to achieve ideal, natural-looking contours. While the overall process may look similar, different techniques can focus on specific areas of the thighs, tissue laxity, and even excess fat.

  • Medial thigh lift. This most common type of thigh lift focuses on the inner thigh area. It tightens the skin from an incision that begins at the groin and runs down the inner thigh toward the knee. From this incision, the surgeon trims excess tissue to form new contours along this length of the leg.
  • Outer thigh lift. Also called a bilateral thigh lift, this technique focuses on the outside area of the thighs. The incision begins at the groin area and runs toward the hip, following a discreet bikini line pattern. From that incision, the surgeon lifts up sagging lateral though tissue toward the hip to create beautiful new contours.
  • Mini thigh lift. If your problem area is localized to the upper, inner thigh, a mini thigh lift may be ideal. This limited-incision procedure can restore a slimmer, tighter shape to the uppermost length of the inner thigh.
  • Lift with liposuction. Not all thigh lifts warrant liposuction. The two procedures work entirely differently. During the standard thigh lift procedure, the focus is on loose tissue shaping and excision. The lift can be complemented by liposuction when localized pockets of fatty tissue remain.

Does Thigh Lift Surgery Eliminate Cellulite?

Cellulite is a tricky issue that doesn’t typically respond to diet and exercise, nor can it be eliminated with creams and lotions, or potions. It may not even improve with a thigh lift. It’s important to seek thigh lift surgery for its intended purpose, which is to reshape your thighs and correct moderate to severe tissue laxity.

Now, when we lift and tighten the skin and muscle, it’s possible that your cellulite may diminish over the course of your recovery. Simply put, there’s no guarantee that this will be permanent. This is because cellulite results from the skin being tethered by fibrous septae that hold it to the underlying muscle tissue. These septae are not severed during thigh lift surgery.

When Can I Exercise After My Thigh Lift?

You’ll want to arrange to have two weeks off for your thigh lift recovery. Doing so enables you to return to your normal level of activity at the pace your body needs. You’ll begin walking short distances the day after your thigh lift. At that time, this may be limited to walking around the house. Longer walks and other exercises must wait at least two weeks.

The reason you mustn’t rush your return to exercise after your thigh lift is that doing so could increase your risk of complications such as hematoma, seroma, bruising, swelling, and pain. On a more significant scale, exercising too soon poses a risk to your incisions. Rest assured, the brief hiatus from exercise will pay off in the form of beautiful results.

Recovery Expectations

You can expect moderately severe pain, which should gradually improve over 3-4 days and should be relieved with medication. The areas operated on will initially feel tight and swollen. Swelling usually subsides after three weeks, but occasionally persists longer. You will need to wear compression garments at all times for 6 weeks. You probably should not plan on returning to work for at least 10-14 days if your job is sedentary. After the first 2-3 weeks, you may walk as much as is tolerable.

Thigh Lift FAQs

A thigh lift aims to improve the contour, shape and size of the thigh, targeting the inner or medial thigh and possibly the mid thigh. The outer thigh is typically not affected.

Yes! Dr. Dawes will discuss all surgical options during your consultation. Depending on the length of each surgery, multiple surgeries may be necessary to achieve your body goals.

The scar that results from a thigh lift is strategically positioned along the inner thigh where it is relatively less visible. In most cases, the scar extends from the groin crease down to just above the knee.

Like any procedure, Thigh Lift surgery has risks and complications associated with it. The risks are low, but do exist. During your consultation, Dr. Dawes will go over the potential risks and complications.

Learn More

Contact us today to learn more about our plastic surgery products & services.

Book a consultation online or call 403.571.3141

“My role, in part, is to assist patients through the process of determining which surgical or non-surgical options would help them meet their aesthetic goals and realistic expectations” - Jeffrey C. Dawes MD, FRCSC

KEEP INFORMED. STAY CONNECTED.

Schedule A Consultation

Fill out the form Or call us

What Happens in a Consultation?

  1. You will meet Dr. Dawes for an individualized, comprehensive evaluation. Dr. Dawes will offer individualized recommendations regarding the best treatment options available to you in a way that will allow you to make a confident, well-informed decision.

  2. You will then meet with a staff member to review your customized quote, discuss financial options and ask questions.

  3. Discuss potential treatment or procedure dates.

How May We Help?

Accessibility Toolbar

Scroll to Top