Thigh Lift

A thigh lift, or thighplasty, is a procedure that reshapes the thighs by removing excess fat and skin. ⁽¹⁾ This treatment also provides firmer and smoother contours to the thigh region. Many individuals experience changes in their thighs due to aging, significant weight loss, or genetic factors, leaving them feeling self-conscious about their appearance. A thigh lift addresses these concerns, resulting in enhanced body contouring and improved confidence. ⁽¹⁾

Dr. Azra Ashraf leads Panache Plastic Surgery, one of Southern California’s premier plastic surgery practices. Dr. Ashraf is double board-certified, and under her care, thousands of patients have improved their lives by achieving their ideal body goals.

If you are interested in sculpting your thighs to your ideal image, then please schedule a consultation with Dr. Ashraf to explore your options. You can contact our office online by submitting our contact form or by calling either of our offices directly.

About Thigh Lifts

Thigh lifts have gained popularity as effective solutions for contouring the legs. Patients considering thigh lift procedures typically seek to reduce unwanted sagging skin and localized fat deposits on their inner and outer thighs, which can create an unbalanced appearance even after weight loss. ⁽²⁾

Historically, thigh lifts have helped people enhance their silhouettes for several decades. A combination of factors—including genetics, lifestyle choices, and natural aging processes—contributes to changes in thigh appearance. As people age, hormonal changes lead to decreased skin elasticity, sagging skin, and a loss of muscle tone. ⁽¹⁾ Additionally, weight fluctuations can stretch the skin, making it lose its ability to retract efficiently.

The basic concept of a thigh lift centers around skin tightening and the removal of excess fat. Statistics show that surgeons worldwide perform tens of thousands of thigh lifts annually, confirming their value in body contouring measures. ⁽¹⁾

Benefits

Undergoing a thigh lift offers patients numerous advantages. When receiving treatment at Panache Plastic Surgery, our patients experience benefits like:

Candidates

Patients who seek thighplasty often have not achieved their personal physique goals through diet or exercise alone. Ideal candidates usually have characteristics like good general health, excess skin in the thigh area, loss of thigh skin elasticity, and weakened thigh muscles. Patients should keep their expectations realistic and understand that this is a body contouring procedure, not a weight loss treatment. A thorough consultation with Dr. Ashraf will help to further determine the candidacy of each prospective patient.

Personal Consultation

Your thigh lift journey begins with a personal consultation at Panache Plastic Surgery. Dr. Ashraf will discuss your medical history, evaluate your thighs, and consider your goals for surgery. During this appointment, you will have the opportunity to ask questions and gain clarity about the procedure. Together, you and Dr. Ashraf will develop a tailored surgical plan that suits your desired outcomes.

Schedule your consultation today by submitting our online contact form. If you have any questions or prefer to schedule over the phone, please call our Newport Beach or Ontario offices at (949) 899-6673 or (909) 323-1669, respectively.

Preparation

Dr. Ashraf will provide you with preparation instructions to follow before undergoing treatment. Following these will optimize your results and ensure a smooth and effective procedure. You may need to adjust your medication intake, especially if you regularly take any medications or supplements with blood-thinning properties. You will also need to avoid nicotine and alcohol consumption. You will not be able to drive after your procedure, and you may have some trouble walking, so we require you to arrange transportation and assistance getting home. We also recommend preemptively filling prescriptions before your procedure, as this can help to reduce physical and mental stress during your initial recovery.

These are only some common guidelines that all patients receive. You may receive other instructions depending on your goals and medical history, so please read through yours closely to optimize your treatment.

Procedure

The thigh lift is an outpatient procedure requiring general anesthesia. There are a few types of thighplasty, differing mainly in their incision pattern. Dr. Ashraf selects the incision technique depending on the required degree of correction. Inner (medial) thigh lifts involve incisions in the groin area that may extend out behind the thigh or behind toward the knee. ⁽¹⁾ If the patient requires contouring of the outer thigh, Dr. Ashraf will perform an outer (lateral) thigh lift. This incision often extends from the groin and then upwards around the hip. ⁽¹⁾ Dr. Ashraf can also perform these procedures simultaneously for comprehensive thigh contouring. ⁽²⁾ After making the necessary incisions, she will carefully remove excess skin and fatty tissue to contour the thigh. Dr. Ashraf will then tighten the remaining skin to achieve a smooth appearance. If a patient has good skin elasticity and muscle tone, their thigh lift may include more liposuction techniques to reduce stubborn fat deposits. ⁽²⁾ After making all necessary adjustments to the thighs, Dr. Ashraf will close incisions using sutures, which may be absorbable or require removal later.

Recovery

Dr. Ashraf provides detailed post-operative checklists to her surgical patients. Generally, she recommends her patients take at least one week off from work or routines for recovery. Patients should avoid any heavy lifting or swimming for at least six weeks after their procedure. Swelling and bruising are normal and usually subside over time. You may receive a compression garment to help reduce your swelling. You will also receive prescriptions for pain medications to improve your comfort during your recovery. You should take these as instructed, although most patients no longer require them after one week. You will need to attend weekly follow-up appointments for four to six weeks after your procedure. These are critical and allow us to monitor your recovery progress. While scarring is minimal and in inconspicuous locations, it will take time to heal. Scars continue to fade up to one to two years after surgery.

Results

Patients often experience smoother and tighter contouring immediately after surgery. After fully healing from your thigh lift, you can enjoy significantly improved thigh contours, a more balanced body aesthetic, and enhanced confidence in your appearance. You may see visible differences right away, but the final results will mature after swelling resolves.

Dr. Ashraf strategically places the incisions where they can easily hide under clothing. She meticulously closes the skin incisions with sutures, ensuring that scarring is minimal.

Corresponding Procedures

Thigh lifts can pair with other body contouring procedures to offer patients an effective and comprehensive transformation. Many patients with excess skin around their thighs will also have it on their upper arms. In these cases, we will perform an arm lift (brachioplasty) to sculpt toned, attractive arms. Procedurally, arm lifts are very similar to thigh lifts, as they share similar incisions and lifting techniques.

Many patients will also use their thigh lift procedure as an opportunity to sculpt and accentuate their figure by including a Brazilian Butt Lift in their treatment plan. More commonly known as a BBL, this procedure takes fat from one part of the body and injects it into the buttocks to create a fuller, larger, and more shapely backside. It can also contour the hips, creating a desirable hourglass figure. In conjunction with a thigh lift, patients emerge from treatment with impressive body-contouring results.

Finally, a mommy makeover can include all of these procedures and more. These are comprehensive procedures that address multiple changes to the body that occur during pregnancy, helping new mothers achieve an attractive body that enhances their confidence.

Cost of a Thigh Lift in Newport Beach and Ontario

The total cost of your thigh lift will depend on the extent of the procedure, the methods Dr. Ashraf employs, your personal goals, whether or not you include other procedures, and a handful of other factors. After meeting with Dr. Ashraf to establish a treatment plan, you will receive an all-encompassing price quote.

Our practice also offers financing plans to help patients better access their treatments.

Schedule your consultation today to begin your thigh lift journey. If you have any questions, please call our Newport Beach or Ontario offices at (949) 899-6673 or (909) 323-1669, respectively.

FAQ

References

1. Bell D, Winters R. Thighplasty. PubMed. Published 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK594236/
2. Hurwitz DJ. Thighplasty in the Weight Loss Patient. Seminars in Plastic Surgery. 2006;20(01):038-048. doi:https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2006-932448