A thigh lift removes loose skin on the inner thigh to refine the contour of the lower body, and is often performed together with liposuction.
The inner thigh has thin skin and a thick fat layer, so sagging appears there easily with changes in weight and with age. Typical signs are the inner skin rubbing together when you walk, or folds forming when you sit. Liposuction alone does not address skin that has already stretched.
A thigh lift removes the loose skin of the inner thigh to refine the contour of the lower body. The direction of the incision depends on whether the sagging is confined to the area near the groin or extends along the full length of the thigh. In most cases it is performed together with liposuction, so that thickness and sagging are addressed at once.
We do not look at the thigh in isolation but at the balance of the whole lower body, including the buttocks and abdomen. When sagging after weight loss is widespread, we plan the sequence together with abdominoplasty or a buttock lift.
An incision is made along the groin crease, and the inner-thigh skin is drawn upward so the excess can be removed. The scar is hidden within the underwear line, but only up-and-down sagging can be corrected.
A vertical incision is made along the inner thigh to remove excess skin around the circumference. Combined with a groin incision, it can correct both up-and-down and circumferential sagging.
Before the excision, fat is suctioned from the inner, front and back of the thigh to reduce thickness, and then only the skin is addressed. This reduces the extent of dissection, which helps lower the risk of injury to the lymphatic vessels.
When the outer thigh and buttocks sag together, they are drawn upward and fixed through an incision at the flank. The incision is sometimes connected with an abdominoplasty to address the whole lower body.
These may vary depending on your condition; we will give you precise details at your consultation.
The incision differs depending on whether the skin has stretched vertically or there is excess around the circumference. Vertical excess is addressed with a horizontal groin incision, circumferential excess with a vertical inner incision, and when both are present the two incisions are planned to connect.
In a thicker thigh, reducing the fat first with liposuction allows the amount of skin to be removed to be judged accurately and reduces the extent of dissection. It is performed in the superficial layer to preserve the lymphatic vessels that run along the inner thigh.
The groin incision is an area where the scar can migrate downward or the pull of the closure can alter the shape of the vulva. Rather than pulling the skin alone, we anchor it to the deep fascial layer to distribute the tension, and design the closure so the scar stays within the crease.
If only the inner thigh is addressed, sagging of the outer thigh or buttocks can become relatively more noticeable. We assess the whole lower body in standing and seated positions and, when needed, plan the sequence together with abdominal or buttock surgery.
Surgery is completed with an anesthesiologist, and you recover in a private recovery room. You wear a compression garment, keep the drains in place and keep your legs elevated.
We check the drain output, remove the drains and discharge you. To prevent blood clots, take short, frequent walks, but avoid spreading your legs wide or squatting.
Stitches are removed and the wound is checked. The groin tends to trap moisture, so we advise drying well after showering and wearing breathable clothing.
You return to light daily activities such as desk work. Continue wearing the compression garment, and change position from time to time when sitting for long periods.
You resume exercise in stages. This is the period when scars turn red, so scar tape and laser care begin.
Swelling subsides and the contour settles. The scar continues to fade gradually afterward, and we review whether any touch-up is needed.
Bleeding, infection and hematoma can occur, and seroma in particular is relatively common and may need repeated aspiration. Because the groin is exposed to moisture and movement, the wound may separate or take time to heal. The scar may migrate downward or widen, and the pull of the closure may alter the shape of the vulva. Lymphedema, in which lymph flow is obstructed and the leg swells, can occur and in some cases persists for a long time. Reduced sensation on the inner thigh, asymmetry, renewed sagging and unevenness of the skin can occur and may require corrective surgery. Because the surgery is long and leg movement is restricted for a period, there is a risk of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, and preventive measures are necessary. Results vary by individual, and all of this is explained fully at consultation.
The content on this page is general medical information provided in accordance with the Medical Service Act. The results of surgery and treatments and the recovery period may vary by individual. All surgeries and treatments carry a risk of side effects, so please decide after a thorough consultation with a specialist.
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Learn more Related AbdominoplastyAbdominoplasty and diastasis recti repair with the excision planned in advance
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