Thigh Lift
(THIGHplasty)
What is a Thigh Lift?
A thigh lift is a surgical procedure designed to remove excess loose, sagging skin and fat from your thighs. This reshapes them and provides a slimmer, smoother contour. Aging, genetics and weight fluctuations can all contribute to excess skin and fat in the thighs and we offer a variety of thigh lift procedures to address those concerns. At Valespring Cosmetic Surgery Institute, Dr. Stephanie Dreckmann will develop a surgical plan unique to your needs and will help you achieve your vision for your body. Dr. Dreckmann is a board-certified, highly talented, female plastic surgeon with years of expertise performing thigh lifts in the Greater Toronto Area.
Boost self-confidence and self-esteem
Remove loose, sagging or wrinkled skin around the thighs
Remove excess fat from the thighs
Often paired with liposuction to remove the most amount of fat
Achieve a smoother and more aesthetic contour around your thighs
Achieve a better fit in your clothing
Why Get a Thigh Lift?
Am I Candidate for a Thigh Lift?
Valespring Cosmetic Surgery Institute follows all guidelines from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario to maximize patient safety, and Dr. Dreckmann will personally perform any necessary physical assessments during a consultation to evaluate your eligibility as a candidate. The following are a general set of requirements to be an eligible candidate for thigh lift surgery:
Generally fit and healthy
Body mass index (BMI) less than 35
You can calculate your BMI here
Smokers should quit smoking at least 4 weeks prior to surgery, as well as after
You have loose or sagging skin around your thighs
You have reached and are maintaining a stable weight
Realistic expectations
With a consultation at Valespring Cosmetic Surgery Institute, Dr. Dreckmann will help provide realistic expectations by aligning your desired thigh contour with your age, lifestyle, physique and proportions so that you have a clear idea of what you can expect in your final result.
Valespring reserves the right to turn down patients who do not meet the necessary physical or psychological criteria for cosmetic surgery, and would do so only because we make your health and safety our top priority.
A Thigh Lift Surgery Overview
Procedure
All thigh lift procedures involve an incision on the thigh to remove excess skin. Depending on the type of thigh lift, the incision may be in the groin area, from the groin area down the inner thigh toward the knee, or extending from the groin, around the hip and across the back.
After the excess skin and fat is removed, the incisions are sutured or stapled closed, restoring tightness in the skin.
The procedure takes roughly 2 to 4 hours.
Anesthesia
General Anesthesia so that the patient is fully asleep for the procedure.
Recovery
Return to work after about 1 to 2 weeks
Return to exercise after approximately 4 weeks
Final results may take up to 6-12 months to become apparent
A compression garment or wrapping will need to be worn for about 4 to 6 weeks
These numbers serve as a rough guideline, but you should always follow your surgical team’s specific and individualized recovery plan, as recommendations may vary from patient to patient
Thigh Lift Types
Inner Thigh Lift
(Medial Thigh Lift)
An medial thigh lift is for patients who wish to remove excess skin and fat from the inner thigh. This could be from aging or weight loss. The incision size and location and surgical technique will vary depending on the quantify of skin that needs to be removed. Liposuction is often also recommended.
Outer Thigh Lift
(Lateral Thigh Lift)
A lateral thigh lift or outer thigh lift removes excess skin and fat from the outside of the thigh. It is a less common procedure than the medial thigh lift and is usually reserved for patients who have experienced large weight fluctuations or massive weight loss. Often, outer thigh laxity can be improved with alternate or combination procedures, such as a lower body lift. The lateral thigh lift incision extends around the hip and is usually concealed by underwear and bathing suits.
Inner Thigh Lift Techniques
Mini Thigh Lift
(Crescent Thigh Lift or Short Scar Technique)
A mini thigh lift, also known as a crescent thigh lift, targets the upper third of the inner thigh. It is primarily for patients without a significant amount of excess skin or fat, but who still want to refine that area. It requires a crescent-shaped incision and the resultant scar is usually well-concealed in the groin area.
Traditional Thigh Lift
(Vertical Scar Technique)
A vertical scar thigh lift or traditional thigh lift focuses on excess skin extending around the entire thigh for patients who have large amounts of excess skin. An incision is made from the groin down toward the knee on the inseam of the leg so that the skin can be pulled tight around the entire thigh. The scars from this technique are not as discrete.
Let us guide you through the decision
Book a Free Thigh Lift Consultation Now!
How Much Does a Thigh Lift Cost?
Mini Thigh Lift
$9000+
Cost Includes:
Mini thigh lift procedure on both inner thighs
Liposuction of the inner thigh, if indicated
Compression garment or wrapping
Traditional Thigh Lift
$11000+
Cost Includes:
Vertical-scar thigh lift procedure on both inner thighs
Liposuction of the inner thigh, if indicated
Compression garment or wrapping
Outer Thigh Lift
$13000+
Cost Includes:
Outer thigh lift procedure on both outer thighs
Compression garment
Inner Thigh Liposuction
+$3000+
Cost Includes:
Liposuction of inner thigh area when added to another applicable procedure
Optional Overnight Stay
$4000
Patients normally return home on the same day of the procedure, but some would like the extra peace of mind of staying in an overnight bed in our medical facility, under the supervision of 2 personal attendants.
Cost Includes:
Overnight stay in one of our beds
Nurse supervision for the length of your stay
Meals for dinner and breakfast the following morning
Consultations are free with no obligation
If you have any questions about our pricing or have specific needs, do not hesitate to contact us
Prices serve as a guideline only. Fees will be adjusted based on each patient’s individual anatomy and the complexity of the case.
Prices do not include HST.
Get your thigh lift now, make payments later!
See Our Other Types of Body Contouring Surgery
Liposuction
Tummy Tuck
Body Lift
Arm Lift
Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL)
Mommy Makeover
FAQs about Thigh Lifts
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A variety of factors, including genetics, age, gender, ethnicity, diet and exercise, can influence excess inner thigh fat. Genetics and ethnicity can predetermine where your body chooses to store excess body fat. Diet and exercise will also influence the amount of excess body fat you have.
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An mini thigh lift leaves a crescent-shaped scar, usually hidden in the groin crease. A traditional thigh lift involves a scar near the groin crease with an additional vertical component along the inner aspect of the thigh as well. This vertical portion typically extends to the level of the knee. The scar will be most visible in the first 6 months, and tends to fade over time. The scar will be fully healed with 12-24 months, but may still be visible depending on genetics or ethnicity.
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Most inner thigh lifts performed at Valespring are combined with liposuction of the inner thigh (if clinically recommended). The procedure usually starts off with liposuction to remove excess fatty tissue and improve contour.
An incision is then made in the groin to extend downward and toward the back of the the thigh in a crescent shape. When indicated, this incision is extended along the inseam of the leg, toward the knee.
Excess skin is removed at the incision sites so that the remaining skin can be pulled tight. The wounds are then sutured or stapled closed.
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Some tips to reduce swelling after a thigh lift include:
Elevate the legs, but avoid remaining stationary for extended periods to avoid blood clots and other complications
You will be provided with a compression garment or wrapping which must be worn for at least the first month. This will reduce swelling and help maintain the desired shape.
Maintain a diet low in sodium, high in fiber and stay hydrated.
Avoid strenuous activities for at least 4 weeks.
Some patients choose to undergo lymphatic massage to help reduce swelling, once enough preliminary healing has occurred
In general, you should always follow the recommendations of your surgical team and consult with them before trying anything that hasn’t directly been recommended
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All types of surgeries have risks, including a thigh lift, but thigh lift surgery is generally regarded as a safe procedure. Any risks and complications will be outlined during your pre-operative visits. The procedure will be performed by our experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Dreckmann, in our on-site accredited surgical facility to optimize patient safety.
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Maintaining a stable weight and healthy lifestyle will help promote long-lasting results. Inevitably, age or other factors may cause the thighs to change shape over time. A subsequent surgery may be recommended if a patient wishes to improve recurrent thigh laxity, but this is rarely necessary.
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Walking around the house can and should resume immediately after surgery. Strenuous activity such as jogging, running or weight lifting should be avoided for ~4-6 weeks. Your surgeon will provide guidance on when it is safe to resume physical activity based on your individual situation.
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During the procedure you will be put to sleep under general anesthesia so you should not feel anything during the operation.
Your doctor will provide you with medication to help control the pain after surgery. It is normal to have some soreness after any surgery.
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A vast majority of patients are delighted with their thigh lift results and think the procedure is worth it. In fact, on RealSelf, the thigh lift procedure has a 88% “Worth It” rating at the time of writing this article.