What Is a Thigh Lift?
A thigh lift improves the appearance of a person’s legs by removing excess fat, tissue, and skin from the inner and outer thighs. Also referred to as thighplasty, surgery is often performed following extreme weight loss and is one of many post-bariatric cosmetic surgery procedures available at The Plastic Surgery Center of Nashville. A thigh lift may be directed at the medial thighs or the medial and lateral thighs, called a circumferential thigh lift.
Thigh Lift Surgery
During the surgery, discreet incisions are made from which the surgeon extracts the excess tissue. These incisions are determined ahead of time during your consultation and are based on the best way to achieve your goals. The incisions will be made discreetly along the contours and creases of your lower body so that bathing suits and other undergarments will conceal any scarring.
A thigh lift is performed under general anesthesia and usually requires two to four hours to complete.
What Can a Thigh Lift Do for You?
Beyond removing excess skin, an expertly performed thigh lift will help restore your self-esteem and mobility. For many patients, the benefits are beyond cosmetic. People seek this procedure because loose or sagging skin on their inner or outer thighs affects their daily lives in numerous ways.
A thigh lift can improve:
- Skin folds that cause irritation, rashes, or chafing
- Difficulty finding comfortable, well-fitting, and flattering clothing
- Loss of definition and contour after major weight loss or pregnancy
- Reduced mobility caused by excess skin rubbing together
Who Is a Good Candidate for a Thigh Lift?
You might consider this surgery if you struggle with lax, excess skin that fails to respond to diet and exercise. Ideal candidates typically share several of the following characteristics.
- Persistent chafing, irritation, or rashes caused by skin rubbing together
- Difficulty finding clothes that fit correctly, especially in the thigh or groin area
- A stable, healthy weight with no major fluctuations expected
- Good health with no medical conditions that impair healing
- Nonsmokers or willing to stop smoking before and after surgery
- Realistic expectations about scarring, recovery, and achievable results
- A desire for improved mobility and well-being, not just cosmetic enhancement
- Commitment to maintaining results through a balanced lifestyle and weight stability
Patients who have undergone major weight loss often benefit the most, but anyone experiencing bothersome thigh laxity may be well-qualified. During your consultation, your surgeon will evaluate your skin quality, anatomy, and goals to determine whether a thigh lift is the safest and most effective option for you.
Meet the Doctors
Learn about our Board-Certified plastic surgeons and why you should choose two RealSelf 500 award winners for your next procedure!
Meet the Doctors
Learn about our Board-Certified plastic surgeons and why you should choose two RealSelf 500 award winners for your next procedure!
After Thigh Lift Surgery
After treatment, patients can return home several hours after the procedure, but it may be preferable to spend the night in an overnight care facility. The surgeon may place a small tube to help drain excess fluid. You may experience mild pain or swelling for the first two or three days, but the pain is easily controlled by medication.
Recovery
You should refrain from strenuous activity for at least the two to three weeks following surgery. You can expect to be off from work for at least a week. Any sutures that do not dissolve will be removed after ten days. As with all the surgeries we perform, your return to normal activity will be determined by the extent of your surgery, as well as your physical condition. Those in good physical health recover faster after surgery. Avoid heavy lifting, pushing, pulling, or elevations in heart rate or blood pressure for at least two to three weeks after surgery.
What to Expect from Your Results
A thigh lift delivers an immediate contour enhancement, but your results will continue improving as swelling decreases and tissues settle.
Short Term:
- Noticeably tighter, smoother skin
- Reduced friction and improved comfort
- Clothes that fit better
Long Term:
- Continued improvement over three to six months
- Scars that gradually fade and soften
- Long-lasting contour when weight remains stable
Most patients report increased confidence and satisfaction after recovering from this procedure, especially when wearing shorts, dresses, or swimwear. While you will continue aging naturally, most of the changes made with a thighplasty are long-lasting if you are willing to maintain a stable weight and healthy lifestyle.
Schedule a Consultation
Ready to book your procedure with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons? Contact us today to schedule your consultation and begin your aesthetic journey!
Potential Risks
While we take great care in performing thigh lifts and monitoring your post-surgery progress at our Nashville, Tennessee plastic surgery office, complications are possible, though rare. Infection can be treated with drainage and antibiotics but will prolong your hospital stay. Slow or impeded healing resulting in larger scars may necessitate a second operation. Smokers are advised to stop smoking as it may increase the risk of complications and delay the healing process.
Why Choose the Plastic Surgery Center of Nashville?
If you’re considering thigh lift surgery, you owe it to yourself to do your homework and form a partnership with a knowledgeable, trustworthy surgeon to ensure your results feel balanced, proportionate, and uniquely yours.
Patients at the Plastic Surgery Center of Nashville benefit from the expertise of two nationally recognized, board-certified plastic surgeons who have dedicated their careers to delivering safe, natural-looking results. Drs. Gingrass and Haws have decades of combined experience performing body contouring procedures, including post-weight-loss surgery, and have earned the trust of thousands of patients throughout Middle Tennessee.
Our surgeons have a reputation for their technical skill and compassionate, patient-centered approach. They customize every treatment plan to match their patients’ anatomy, goals, and lifestyle. From your first consultation through your final follow-up visit, you’ll receive attentive, personalized care in a supportive environment where your comfort and safety come first.
The Plastic Surgery Center of Nashville is proud to be home to two RealSelf 500 award winners – a distinction reserved for surgeons who demonstrate exceptional patient satisfaction, surgical expertise, and ongoing commitment to education
Our practice combines advanced surgical techniques with a warm, welcoming atmosphere, giving you the confidence that you’re in capable, caring hands. Whether you seek improved comfort, smoother contours, or a renewed sense of confidence, our entire team promises to help you achieve results that look natural and feel empowering.
Nashville Thigh Lift FAQs
Ideal candidates have loose or sagging thigh skin that does not improve with diet or exercise. Many patients seek thighplasty surgery after major weight loss or aging-related skin laxity.
Many of our thigh lift patients have lost 50 pounds or more. Your surgeon will evaluate your skin quality and health to ensure safe, healthy outcomes.
No. A body lift incorporates multiple contouring and lifting surgeries to proportionately reshape your entire frame at once. Our surgeons will tailor a surgical plan based on your desires and our practice’s consistently stringent safety standards.
Depending on your concerns, your surgeon may recommend liposuction to refine your contours and remove stubborn fat before tightening the skin for smoother, more sculpted results. You are also welcome to combine your Nashville thigh lift with a tummy tuck or breast procedure as part of a comprehensive mommy makeover.
Removing loose skin and tightening what remains can sometimes make cellulite and stretch marks located within the excision area appear less prominent.
This procedure removes skin and soft tissue, not muscle. Most of our postoperative patients report increased range of motion and a correspondingly renewed enthusiasm for exercise after having their excess, unwanted skin removed. Thigh lift surgery reduces chafing, irritation, and rashes caused by skin rubbing together.
Your surgeon will choose the most discreet placement possible – typically in your groin crease or along your inner or outer thighs. As your recovery progresses, your incision lines will fade to match your natural skin tone.
Additional weight gain can stretch your skin and detract from your results. You can preserve your outcomes by maintaining a stable weight.
Most patients describe tightness or soreness instead of sharp pain. You can ensure a smoother experience by carefully following your postoperative instructions – especially those related to medication dosage and compression garments.
You can and should start taking light walks as soon as you feel well enough to do so. Please avoid more strenuous workouts, including weightlifting, until your surgeon clears you to resume.
The goal of thighplasty surgery is to create a smooth, proportionate contour that looks natural in and out of clothing. Working with an experienced, board-certified surgeon is the best way to ensure your long-term satisfaction.