Thigh Lift (Thighplasty): Types, Recovery, Risks and Results
Updated: 6 days ago
Written and medically reviewed by Dr. Baraa Alnahhal, MD · Last reviewed: October 2026 · How we review
Quick Answer: What is a thigh lift?
A thigh lift (thighplasty) is a cosmetic surgery that removes excess skin and fat from the thighs to reshape them and make them smoother. People often consider it after losing a lot of weight. It can also ease painful rubbing between the thighs. Most people return to daily activities within six weeks, and final results show after six months. [1]
What the research says
Minor wound problems are the most common complication. A review of 16 studies covering 447 patients found complications in 42.7% of people after inner thigh lift. Wound opening (18.3%) and fluid build-up (8.1%) were most frequent, and no major complications such as blood clots or sepsis were reported. (Sisti et al., Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery, 2015) [2]
The incision type changes the risk. In 106 people who had an inner thigh lift after major weight loss, 68% had at least one complication. Rates were 43% with a horizontal scar, 67% with a short scar and 74% with a full-length vertical scar, and the full vertical scar was linked to longer-lasting leg swelling. (Gusenoff et al., Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2015) [3]
Adding liposuction may lower complications. A systematic review of 19 studies (1,113 patients) found an overall complication rate of 36.8% with liposuction-assisted inner thigh lift versus 70.7% without it. Seromas (9.0% vs 24.8%) and infections (1.8% vs 9.0%) were also less common. (Albanese et al., Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2025) [4]
Key takeaways
A thigh lift removes sagging skin and fat and tightens the thigh contour. [1]
There are four main types: mini, inner (medial), outer and spiral. Each leaves a scar in a different place. [1]
Good candidates don't smoke, have stable health and have kept a steady weight for at least a year. [1]
Plan for up to 10 days of rest, at least six weeks in compression garments and six months before final results. [1]
Wound-healing problems and fluid build-up are common but usually not serious. [1][2]
What is a thigh lift?
A thigh lift is a surgery that removes excess skin and fat to give the thighs a firmer, more contoured shape. It also relieves the pain and irritation that happen when the thighs keep rubbing against each other. [1]
In the United States, plastic surgeons performed more than 9,000 thigh lifts in 2020. [1]
Why do people get a thigh lift?
People get a thigh lift mainly because major weight loss has left the thigh skin loose and less elastic. Areas that once stored extra fat, like the thighs, can lose tone after the weight comes off. [1]
This loose skin can cause:
Cellulite, or lumpy, dimpled skin
Rashes or chafing (see our guide to intertrigo)
Bleeding and skin discoloration
Sagging skin
Surgery becomes an option when sagging thighs don't improve with exercise. [1]
Who is a good candidate for a thigh lift?
A good candidate for a thigh lift is a nonsmoker in stable health who has held a goal weight for a year. A surgeon checks your general health and medical history before deciding. [1]
You may be a candidate if you… | What to know |
Don't smoke | Your surgeon may ask you to stop smoking before surgery |
Have any health conditions, such as diabetes, well managed | Conditions that aren't well managed can complicate recovery |
Have kept your goal weight for a year | A full year at a steady weight is the usual benchmark |
Don't plan to lose more weight | Weight gain later can also reduce the firmness of your result |
If you're still losing weight, for example after bariatric surgery or with weight loss medications, it's best to wait until your weight has been steady for a full year. [1]
What are the types of thigh lift?
The four types of thigh lift are the mini, inner (medial), outer and spiral thigh lift. The type you have decides where the incision goes and how long the scar will be. [1]
Type | Area treated | Where the incision goes |
Mini thigh lift | Sagging in the upper, inner thigh | A small cut in the groin |
Inner (medial) thigh lift | The inner thigh | From the groin around the back of the thigh, below the buttock. Another option is a vertical cut from the groin toward the knee |
Outer thigh lift | Fat and loose skin near the waist and buttocks | From the upper groin, around the hip and across the back at the waistline |
Spiral thigh lift | Front, back, inner and outer thigh | From the buttock around to the groin |
You will have a scar wherever the incision is made. Scars fade over time but don't disappear completely. [1] If a scar bothers you later, scar revision may help it blend in.
How should you prepare for a thigh lift?
Preparing for a thigh lift starts with a consultation with a plastic surgeon. [1] During this visit, the surgeon:
Examines your skin
Talks through your goals and the results you can expect
Explains possible side effects
May take photos of your thighs to compare before and after
You'll get specific instructions before surgery. These may include taking certain medicines or stopping smoking. [1]
What happens during thigh lift surgery?
During thigh lift surgery, the surgeon removes extra fat and skin, tightens the tissue and closes the wound. It takes place in a hospital, an accredited in-office surgical facility or an ambulatory surgery center. [1]
Here's what happens on the day:
Marking. While you stand, the surgeon draws the incision lines. They may lift the sagging skin at different angles to guide the marks.
Anesthesia. An anesthesiologist puts you to sleep, so you feel no pain.
Incision. The surgeon makes a cut in the groin. Depending on the type, it may extend around the back of the thigh, down toward the knee or around the hip and back.
Reshaping. The surgeon removes fat, repositions tissue, tightens nearby muscles and trims away extra skin.
Deep support. Stitches secure tissue deep in the thigh to hold the new shape.
Closing. The wound is closed with stitches, clips or a special skin glue. [1]
How long does thigh lift surgery take?
Thigh lift surgery may take about two hours. Your surgeon will give you a time estimate during your consultation. [1]
Can you combine a thigh lift with other procedures?
Yes, a thigh lift is often combined with other procedures. Common pairings are a butt lift or a lower body lift. Your surgeon will tell you whether combining procedures fits your goals. [1] For a wider view of your options, see our guide to body contouring.
What is recovery like after a thigh lift?
Recovery after a thigh lift means a lot of rest at first, at least six weeks in compression garments and about six months before swelling fully settles. [1]
Time after surgery | What to expect |
Surgery day | You wake in a recovery area. You may stay in hospital or go home the same day. Someone must drive you home |
First few days | Your thighs feel sore and mildly swollen. Small tubes under the skin may drain blood and fluid |
Up to 10 days | Rest your legs as much as possible. Stay home from work or school until your surgeon says you can return |
1 week | Follow-up visit to check how the wound is healing |
6 weeks | Incisions should be healed. Most people are back to daily activities. Compression garments are worn for at least this long |
6 months | Swelling is fully gone and you see the final result |
A few practical points help recovery go smoothly: [1]
Avoid moving around a lot and skip strenuous activity until your surgeon clears you.
The large incisions may be sensitive to movement, temperature and touch.
Prescription and over-the-counter medicines can keep you comfortable.
Follow every wound-care instruction your surgeon gives you.
What are the benefits of a thigh lift?
The main benefits of a thigh lift are smoother, reshaped thighs with less sagging skin. [1] Other benefits include:
Less visible stretch marks
Fewer friction rashes
Tighter muscles
More confidence in your appearance
What are the risks of a thigh lift?
The risks of a thigh lift include wound-healing problems, fluid build-up, infection and blood clots. Because the surgery needs large incisions, complications aren't uncommon, but they're usually not serious. [1]
Possible risks include: [1]
Uneven thighs (asymmetry)
Bleeding
Changes in skin feeling or numbness
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot in a deep leg vein
Fluid collecting under the skin (seroma)
Infection
Poor wound healing or the wound opening (dehiscence)
Swelling (edema)
Wound problems or fluid build-up may need extra medical care, but corrective surgery is rarely needed. [1] Research on inner thigh lifts shows the same pattern: minor wound problems are common, while major complications are rare. [2][3]
When will you see thigh lift results?
You will see the final results of a thigh lift after about six months. Incisions heal by around six weeks, and the swelling takes up to six months to go away completely. [1]
Your result can change over time. You may lose some firmness as you age or if you gain weight. [1]
When should you call a doctor after a thigh lift?
Call your doctor after a thigh lift if you notice any sign of a complication. Call 911 or your local emergency number for chest pain, sudden shortness of breath or coughing up blood, which can signal a blood clot in the lungs. [1] Warning signs include:
Bleeding
Fever or chills, which can mean infection
An incision that's unusually sore to touch
Leg swelling
Pain that doesn't ease with medicine
Wounds that are slow to heal, with no clear healing in the first couple of weeks
Thigh lift at a glance
Question | Answer |
What it does | Removes excess skin and fat to reshape the thighs |
Anesthesia | General (you're asleep) |
Surgery time | About 2 hours |
Time off work or school | Up to 10 days of leg rest, or until your surgeon clears you |
Compression garments | At least 6 weeks |
Back to daily activities | Within about 6 weeks |
Final results | After about 6 months |
Scars | Permanent, but fade over time |
Conclusion
A thigh lift can turn loose, sagging thigh skin into a smoother, firmer shape, and it can ease painful rubbing and rashes. It works best for nonsmokers in stable health who have held a steady weight for a year.
The trade-offs are a permanent scar, about six weeks of careful recovery and six months before you see the final result. Minor wound problems are common, so following your surgeon's instructions closely matters.
Thinking about a thigh lift? Write down your questions and bring them to a consultation with a plastic surgeon. Then keep learning with our guides to liposuction, arm lift surgery and the tummy tuck, and explore more trusted health guides on rinnit.com.
FAQ
What is a thigh lift?
A thigh lift, or thighplasty, is a cosmetic surgery that removes excess skin and fat to reshape the thighs. It also relieves pain and irritation from the thighs rubbing together. [1]
Who is a good candidate for a thigh lift?
A good candidate for a thigh lift doesn't smoke, has any health conditions well managed and has kept their goal weight for a year. You should also not be planning to lose more weight. [1]
How long does thigh lift surgery take?
Thigh lift surgery may take about two hours. Your surgeon will give you a more exact estimate at your consultation. [1]
How long is thigh lift recovery?
Thigh lift recovery involves resting your legs for up to 10 days and wearing compression garments for at least six weeks. Most people return to daily activities within six weeks. [1]
Will a thigh lift leave scars?
A thigh lift leaves a scar along the incision line. The scar fades over time but never fully disappears, and its location depends on the type of thigh lift. [1]
When will I see the results of a thigh lift?
The results of a thigh lift show after about six months, once the swelling has gone away completely. Incisions usually heal by around six weeks. [1]
What are the most common thigh lift complications?
The most common thigh lift complications are wound-healing problems and fluid build-up under the skin (seroma). These are usually not serious, and corrective surgery is rarely needed. [1][2]
When should I call my doctor after a thigh lift?
Call your doctor after a thigh lift if you have bleeding, fever or chills, unusual soreness at the incision, leg swelling, pain that medicine doesn't ease or wounds that aren't healing in the first couple of weeks. [1]
Is a thigh lift the same as liposuction?
No. Liposuction removes fat, while a thigh lift removes loose, extra skin and some fat to reshape the thighs. Surgeons sometimes combine the two procedures.
Will I have drains after a thigh lift?
Some surgeons place small drains to remove fluid after a thigh lift, usually for a short time. Your surgeon will show you how to care for them and tell you when they will come out.
Related Reading
Lower Body Lift (Belt Lipectomy): Surgery, Recovery, Risks and Results explains surgery that tightens skin around the belly, hips, buttocks and thighs.
Brachioplasty (Arm Lift): Surgery, Recovery, Risks and Results covers removing loose upper arm skin after weight loss or aging.
Liposuction: What It Is, Surgery, Recovery, and Results describes how fat is removed to reshape the body and what recovery involves.
Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty): A Guide to Procedure, Recovery, and Results explains abdominoplasty, recovery and results for loose belly skin.
References
Cleveland Clinic. Thigh Lift (Thighplasty): Types, Surgery, Recovery & Scars. Cleveland Clinic. Last updated May 25, 2023. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/25012-thigh-lift-thighplasty
Sisti A, Cuomo R, Zerini I, et al. Complications Associated With Medial Thigh Lift: A Comprehensive Literature Review. J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2015;8(4):191-197. PMID 26865783. https://doi.org/10.4103/0974-2077.172189
Gusenoff JA, Coon D, Nayar H, et al. Medial thigh lift in the massive weight loss population: outcomes and complications. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2015;135(1):98-106. PMID 25539299. https://doi.org/10.1097/PRS.0000000000000772
Albanese R, Blessent CGF, Tomaselli F, et al. A Comprehensive Review of Medial Thighplasty: The Role of Liposuction in Reducing Complications and Optimizing Patient Outcomes. J Clin Med. 2025;14(7):2426. PMID 40217874. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14072426
American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Thigh Lift Procedure Steps. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Accessed October 31, 2026. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/thigh-lift/procedure
Medical disclaimer
This article is for general education and does not replace advice from a qualified healthcare professional. Talk to a plastic surgeon or your doctor about whether a thigh lift is right for you, and seek medical care promptly if you notice any warning signs after surgery.
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