Thigh Lift After Weight Loss
Consultations offered at our three convenient locations in Austin, TX, San Antonio, TX and Westlake Hills, TX
A thigh lift after weight loss is a surgical procedure that aims to reshape and revitalize the appearance of the thighs, often performed to address large amounts of excess skin that have become present as a result of significant weight loss. (1)
Major weight loss is a significant accomplishment, but it often comes with unexpected challenges, especially when it comes to excess skin. For many individuals, the thighs are one of the most noticeably affected areas, with loose, sagging skin that can affect comfort, mobility, and body confidence. If you have recently lost a significant amount of weight and are looking to sharpen your thigh aesthetic, you may be an ideal candidate for a thigh lift.
At Austin Plastic Surgeon, our team offers several advanced body contouring solutions for patients who have undergone significant weight loss. We proudly serve patients in Austin, San Antonio, and West Lake Hills with personalized care and innovative surgical techniques. If you are interested in restoring your lower body shape and comfort after weight loss, a thigh lift may be the perfect next step in your transformation.
If you are looking to get started on your transformative journey, schedule a personal consultation at Austin Plastic Surgeon by contacting us online or calling one of our three locations:
Contents
Before and After Photos
About Thigh Lift After Weight Loss
Following major weight loss, the skin’s elasticity can be significantly diminished. This is particularly noticeable in the inner and outer thighs, where sagging skin may hang loosely, cause chafing, and interfere with daily activities and mobility. A thigh lift helps eliminate this issue by removing the redundant skin and contouring the leg to better match the body’s new shape. In recent years, thigh lifts have grown in popularity with the introduction of new medically-assisted weight loss programs and medications, such as semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Zepbound, Mounjaro).
The procedure is designed to remove excess skin, resulting in sculpted, smoother, firmer legs that reflect your hard work and dedication. There are several different thigh lift techniques to help you achieve this goal, and the Austin Plastic Surgeon team will help you explore which method is best for you based on your individual anatomy and goals. Some of the different techniques performed at Austin Plastic Surgeon include:
Medial Thigh Lift
A medial thigh lift involves removing excess skin and fat along the inner thigh, typically with an incision extending from the groin down toward the knee. This method is optimal for patients with severe skin laxity.
Mini Thigh Lift
For patients with a lesser degree of sagging, a mini thigh lift may be a more suitable option. This approach focuses on tightening the upper portion of the inner thigh, with a shorter incision typically limited to the groin crease. Mini thigh lifts are ideal for patients with mild to moderate skin laxity who want less downtime than a full thigh lift requires.
Lipo Thigh Lift
Austin Plastic Surgeon also offers lipo thigh lifts, which combine liposuction with skin tightening of the thighs. This approach is ideal for patients who have recently undergone a period of significant weight loss but are perhaps looking to address remaining pockets of fat in the thigh area.
Skin Tightening
Skin tightening is typically achieved with energy devices such as Renuvion or QuantumRF to help shrink the skin after the excess fat is removed. The thighs typically have very thin skin, and the amount of fat removed has to be precise to limit the risk of contour deformities. The addition of Renuvion (J-Plasma) or QuantumRD to help tighten the skin is typically very helpful to decrease the skin laxity and improve the overall appearance.
Non-Surgical and Minimally-Invasive Options
For patients seeking thigh rejuvenation without the extensive nature associated with surgical procedures, Austin Plastic Surgeon offers treatment methods such as radiofrequency (RF) microneedling. Sofwave and Instalift, in combination with Morpheus8, can be used to treat milder cases of skin laxity on the thighs. These are also great options for patients looking for treatments around the knees, as this is often an area that is challenging to treat surgically.
Benefits
A thigh lift after weight loss offers numerous functional and aesthetic improvements. If you are struggling with discomfort or dissatisfaction due to loose skin on your thighs, this procedure can provide benefits such as:
- Enhanced Leg Contour: Thigh lifts can help you achieve smoother, firmer, and more youthful-looking thigh shapes that reflect your weight loss progress.
- Better Mobility: You can experience a reduction in skin chafing, irritation, or movement restrictions caused by excess skin.
- Improved Confidence: Shorts, swimsuits, and tighter-fitting clothing will fit with ease and feel more comfortable.
- Personalized Outcomes: With several different techniques available, each procedure can be tailored to your individual anatomy and aesthetic goals.
- Better Hygiene: Skin health can be maintained more easily in harder-to-reach areas.
- Long-Lasting Effects: The results of a thigh lift can be maintained long-term with healthy lifestyle habits.
To see how you can benefit from thigh lift treatments for yourself, schedule a personal consultation at Austin Plastic Surgeon by contacting us online or by calling:
Candidates
Thigh lift procedures are best suited for individuals who have achieved a stable and healthy weight but are experiencing persistent sagging skin around the thighs. Ideal candidates for this treatment typically:
- Have significant skin laxity in the inner or outer thighs.
- Have reached a stable, maintainable weight and healthy lifestyle.
- Are nonsmokers or willing to quit prior to surgery.
- Are in good overall health with no contraindicating medical conditions.
- Have realistic expectations about surgical outcomes.
- Are struggling with skin irritation or difficulty with clothing due to excess thigh skin.
The Austin Plastic Surgeon team will perform a full evaluation of your anatomy, goals, and other factors to determine whether or not you are an ideal candidate for a thigh lift to address any concerns you may have following a significant period of weight loss.
Personal Consultation
Your journey toward firmer, more contoured thighs begins with a personal consultation at one of our convenient Texas locations. During this one-on-one appointment, a member of our experienced staff will review your medical history, discuss your concerns, and assess the extent of skin laxity in your thighs. We will listen carefully to your goals and work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your unique anatomy and aesthetic preferences. This is also your opportunity to ask questions, learn about the procedure, and understand what to expect during every phase of the process.
To get started on your journey to the sculpted thighs you have been looking for, schedule this personal consultation at Austin Plastic Surgeon by contacting one of our three locations online or by calling the office most convenient to you:
Preparation
To help ensure a successful procedure and optimal recovery, the Austin Plastic Surgeon team will provide you with detailed preoperative instructions in the weeks leading up to surgery. These may include avoiding blood-thinning medications or supplements, ceasing all nicotine use, and undergoing lab work or a medical evaluation. You should also arrange for time off work, arrange for transportation for the day of your surgery, and prepare your home for a comfortable recovery. Following these steps will help you facilitate a smooth recovery after your thigh lift.
Procedure
Before the start of your thigh lift, you will be placed under general anesthesia for traditional and extended thigh lift procedures for your comfort and safety. Minimally invasive and non-invasive thigh lift procedures can be performed under local anesthesia. Your surgeon at Austin Plastic Surgeon will help guide you on which treatment and anesthesia is best for you!
Our surgeon will begin by making carefully planned incisions, most commonly in the groin crease for an inner thigh lift, or extending down toward the knee in cases of more extensive skin removal. Through these incisions, the surgeon will excise loose skin and may use liposuction to remove small areas of stubborn fat if necessary. The remaining tissue will then be repositioned and tightened to create a firmer, more contoured leg shape.
Once complete, the incisions are closed with sutures. Depending on the complexity of the case, a thigh lift procedure typically lasts between two to four hours.
Recovery
Recovery from a thigh lift will vary based on the extent of the procedure and your body’s healing response. In the first few days following surgery, you can expect swelling, bruising, and moderate soreness in the thigh area. The Austin Plastic Surgeon team will provide you with specific postoperative care instructions and will remain available to guide you throughout the process.
Most patients can resume light activities within two weeks, but you should avoid strenuous exercise and heavy lifting until cleared by your surgeon. It is important to attend all follow-up visits to allow our staff to monitor your progress and ensure proper healing. Full results will gradually become visible as swelling subsides, and your final contour will continue to refine over the following several months.
Minimizing scarring is one of the priorities for the surgeons at Austin Plastic Surgeon. There are several things that our team does to help minimize the visible appearance of scars after a thigh lift, these include but are not limited to:
- Everting the edges: Making sure the skin is approximated in a way that allows for motion and minimizes the widening of the scar with walking
- Surgical glue: This has been shown to decrease the visible appearance of the scar and improve the overall outcome of the incision.
- Brijits: This is a novel device that can be placed over the incision to help decrease the tension on the incision to help improve the appearance of the scar.
- Silicone treatments: Silicone sheets are used once the glue comes off to help minimize the scarring of the inner thigh lift. This typically started at about the two-week mark.
- AVAVA Laser treatment: The novel martini effect of the Avava laser can be used to help reduce the appearance of scars. This may also help with hyperpigmented scars. We have ongoing clinical trials on this currently!
Results
Once you have fully recovered, the results of your procedure will become more defined and noticeable. You can expect a smoother, firmer thigh contour, greater symmetry, and a better overall fit in clothing. Many patients experience a significant improvement in both appearance and comfort, especially when dealing with previously uncomfortable skin folds or irritation from chafing. When paired with a healthy lifestyle and stable weight, your results can last for many years, making a thigh lift a valuable step in your post-weight-loss transformation.
Corresponding Procedures
Because excess skin following a significant period of weight loss often impacts multiple areas of the body in addition to the thighs, many patients at Austin Plastic Surgeon opt to combine their thigh lift treatment with additional procedures to fully complete their transformation. A few of our more popular post-weight loss procedures include tummy tucks, arm lifts, and butt lifts. Many patients may also combine these treatments with skin tightening treatments such as Sofwave, Morpheus 8, Renuvion, and Quantum to help improve the overall turgor of the skin. We encourage you to explore additional treatments during your consultation, and our team is more than happy to make suggestions depending on your personal goals.
Cost of Thigh Lift After Weight Loss in Austin
Every patient is unique; therefore, the cost of each thigh lift treatment after significant weight loss will differ for everyone and will also depend on whether or not any additional treatments are performed. The Austin Plastic Surgeon staff will walk you through the estimated price of your treatment during your personal consultation.
FAQ
What is the difference between a thigh lift and liposuction?
Liposuction is a procedure that removes fat but does not tighten skin. A thigh lift removes excess skin and may include some fat reduction for better contouring.
How long do thigh lift results last?
With proper care and a stable weight, thigh lift results can be long-lasting. Many patients enjoy results for several years or longer.
Will there be visible scarring?
Incisions are placed in discreet locations, such as the groin crease. Scars typically fade over time and are easily hidden by clothing.
Can I combine a thigh lift with other procedures?
Yes. Many patients choose to combine thigh lifts with other post-weight-loss procedures, such as a tummy tuck or arm lift.
When can I return to work?
Most patients can return to non-strenuous work within two weeks; however, a full recovery may take several months, depending on the individual.
References
- Di Pietro V, Colicchia Gianfranco M, Cervelli V, Gentile P. Medial Thigh Contouring in Massive Weight Loss: A Liposuction-Assisted Medial Thigh Lift. WORLD JOURNAL OF PLASTIC SURGERY. 2019;8(2):171-180. doi:https://doi.org/10.29252/wjps.8.2.171
- Haykal D, Hersant B, Cartier H, Meningaud J. The Role of GLP‐1 Agonists in Esthetic Medicine: Exploring the Impact of Semaglutide on Body Contouring and Skin Health. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2024;24(2). doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.16716
