Thigh Lift
Removes excess skin and fat from the inner and outer thighs to create a smoother, firmer leg contour — commonly performed after significant weight loss.
A thigh lift removes excess skin and fat from the inner or outer thighs to create smoother, firmer, better-proportioned contours. It is most often chosen after significant or GLP-1 weight loss, when loose skin remains despite reaching a healthy weight. Liposuction is frequently combined with the lift to refine the shape before the excess skin is removed and tightened.
Good candidates are near a stable goal weight with loose inner- or outer-thigh skin, and understand the trade-off of a well-placed scar for a smoother, firmer contour. Recovery typically involves one to two weeks off work and a compression garment worn for several weeks while swelling resolves and the result settles.
Thigh Lift — Inner & Outer
A thigh lift removes excess skin and fat from the thighs to create a smoother, firmer, more proportionate leg contour. Like the arm lift, this procedure is most commonly sought by patients who have lost a significant amount of weight and are left with skin that hangs, chafes, and cannot be addressed through exercise.
There are two primary types. An inner (medial) thigh lift addresses the inner thigh, with an incision placed in the groin crease that is typically well-hidden. An outer thigh lift targets the outer thigh and hip area, with a longer incision that extends toward the hip. Dr. Levesque will recommend the appropriate approach — or a combination — based on where your excess skin is and what your goals are.
Liposuction is frequently combined with thigh lift to remove fat in areas the skin tightening alone cannot address. Dr. Levesque performs thigh lift at Levesque Plastic Surgery in Austin, TX, most commonly for post-weight-loss patients — including those who have completed a GLP-1 medication program.
Inner: Incision in groin crease, well-hidden. Addresses inner thigh laxity and skin rubbing.
Outer: Incision extends along hip/flank. Better for outer thigh and buttock drooping. Longer scar but more comprehensive correction.
Walking is encouraged early. Avoid strenuous leg activity for 4–6 weeks. Compression garment worn for several weeks. Lymphatic massage can help with swelling and is recommended.
What to Expect
✓ Medically reviewed by Dr. Andre Y. Levesque, MD · Board-certified plastic surgeon (ABPS) · Last reviewed April 9, 2026
A thigh lift restores firmer, smoother thighs when skin has lost its elasticity. Here is what to expect through the process.
Dr. Levesque assesses skin laxity on the inner and/or outer thigh, maps incision placement to keep scars discreet, and determines whether liposuction should be combined for the best contour.
An outpatient procedure under general anesthesia, generally two to three hours. Excess skin is removed and the thigh is re-draped; incisions are usually hidden in the groin crease or along the inner thigh.
You return home the same day. Compression garments support healing; most patients take about two weeks off work and avoid strenuous lower-body activity for six weeks.
Am I a Candidate?
A thigh lift addresses loose skin that exercise cannot fix. Good candidates typically:
- Have significant inner- or outer-thigh skin laxity, often after major or GLP-1 weight loss
- Are at a stable weight and in good overall health
- Are non-smokers, or willing to stop before and after surgery
- Understand the trade-off of a scar for a firmer, smoother thigh contour
If your concern is stubborn fat with good skin tone, liposuction alone may achieve your goal with no lift required. If loose skin is the issue, only a thigh lift can remove it. Dr. Levesque will tell you honestly which applies.
Recovery Timeline
- First week: Rest with legs supported; swelling and tightness are managed with medication. Short, frequent walks help circulation.
- Week 2: Many patients return to desk work and light activity; compression continues.
- Weeks 3–6: Swelling settles steadily; avoid strenuous exercise and prolonged standing as directed.
- 6 weeks and beyond: Gradual return to full activity and exercise; scars fade over 12–18 months with proper care.
Cost & Financing
Thigh lift is priced as one surgical fee covering surgeon, anesthesia, and facility. Combining it with liposuction or another body-contouring procedure changes the total, finalized at your consultation.
Levesque Plastic Surgery offers financing through CareCredit, Alphaeon, Cherry, and PatientFi, with monthly-payment plans that can be pre-qualified in minutes without affecting your credit. See our financing options or the full menu of services & pricing.
Removing what won’t retighten
When skin along the inner or outer thighs has lost its elasticity — often after significant weight loss or with age — it no longer shrinks back on its own, and diet, exercise, or liposuction alone can’t restore a firm contour. A thigh lift removes the excess skin and tightens the remaining tissue for a smoother, more toned shape. The incision pattern is matched to your anatomy: an inner (medial) thigh lift places the scar in the groin crease for more limited laxity, while more extensive skin excess may need an incision extending down the inner thigh. Liposuction is frequently combined to refine contour at the same time.
What healing looks like
A thigh lift is an outpatient procedure. Expect swelling and bruising, a compression garment to support healing, and limited activity for the first couple of weeks, with a gradual return to exercise over about four to six weeks as your surgeon clears you. Walking early is encouraged to support circulation.
Thigh-lift incisions do leave scars; they’re placed as discreetly as possible and fade over the following year. For the right candidate, the trade of a well-placed scar for firmer, smoother thighs is very worthwhile — and Dr. Levesque will be candid about whether that trade suits your goals.
- Loose inner or outer thigh skin
- Stable weight, often after major weight loss
- Contour that skin won't retighten on its own
- Healthy, non-smoking, realistic expectations
Frequently Asked Questions
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