Thigh Lift
Loose, hanging skin on the thighs after major weight loss limits what people can wear and do — walking or cycling with friction between the legs is a daily reminder. A thigh lift removes the excess and smooths the contour to the knee.
At a glance
How it is performed
The lift is performed through incisions placed in the natural groin crease. Excess skin is removed and the tissues are lifted to improve the contour and smooth the whole area below, extending towards the knees.
The operation takes on average three to four hours depending on your build and the extent of the lift. It is usually a day-case procedure in an accredited facility, with an overnight stay where health or extent requires it.
A thigh lift can be limited to the inner thigh or extended around the full circumference of the leg; where the buttock is also involved, a lower body lift may be the better answer. The right choice depends on where the excess skin sits and on what you want.
Who is it for
- Stretched, hanging skin on the inner thighs and buttock area after significant weight loss.
- Skin laxity from ageing, environmental and genetic factors.
- Patients who experience friction between the legs when walking or cycling.
- Stable weight and good general health.
Recovery timeline
- Day of surgery
Walking is encouraged the same day. An elastic garment similar to compression shorts is provided.
- Days 2–7
Light activity after a few days; expect bruising, swelling and soreness improving over 7–10 days.
- Day 10
Return to driving and work is planned for around this point, to allow optimal healing.
- Week 4
Strenuous activity is avoided until four weeks.
- Months 3–12
Scars mature and fade; final contour becomes settled.
Risks & honest expectations
- Scars in the groin crease, and along the inner thigh where a longer lift is required.
- Fluid collection (seroma) and delayed wound healing — the groin is a demanding area for healing.
- Infection, bleeding and reactions to anaesthesia.
- Widening of scars, or downward migration of the scar over time.
- Temporary numbness and swelling of the legs.
The information on this website is for general information only and is not a substitute for a personal medical consultation. Every surgical procedure carries risks; outcomes vary from person to person. Content is reviewed by Dr. H. Seçkin Öksar, Board Certified Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeon.
Questions about this procedure
Inner thigh only, or the whole leg?
It depends on where the loose skin actually is. A limited inner thigh lift has a shorter scar; a circumferential lift addresses the whole leg but leaves a longer one.
Is liposuction enough instead?
Only when skin elasticity is good. After major weight loss the skin rarely retracts on its own, and removing fat alone can make matters worse.
Can it be combined with a tummy tuck?
Frequently, yes — as part of a planned body-contouring sequence after weight loss, subject to safe total operating time.
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Start with a conversation
Tell us what you are considering. You will get an honest answer about whether it is the right procedure for you — including when the answer is no.
Yeşilbahçe Mah. Metin Kasapoğlu Cad., Gökhan İş Merkezi No:19 D:9, Muratpaşa / Antalya, Türkiye
