Body
Remove loose, sagging thigh skin for a firmer, smoother contour.
Thigh Lift Surgery
If the skin on your thighs has become loose and saggy, often after major weight loss or with age, a thigh lift is the procedure that removes it. A thigh lift, or thighplasty, removes excess skin from the inner or outer thigh and tightens what remains for a firmer, smoother shape. When skin loses its elasticity, it no longer conforms to the muscle underneath, which leaves loose folds that diet, exercise, and even liposuction cannot fix. A thigh lift addresses the skin directly, which is the only thing that corrects it when laxity is the problem.
At his Denver practice, Dr. Jason Martin performs thigh lifts for patients bothered by loose thigh skin, with careful attention to incision placement. As a board-certified plastic surgeon, he is upfront about the scar trade-off that comes with removing the skin.
At a Glance
These are typical starting points. Dr. Martin confirms the specifics for your case at your consultation.
Medial (inner) thigh at the low end; vertical/more extensive at the upper end.
What it addresses
A thigh lift treats loose, excess skin on the thighs that has lost its elasticity. This most often happens after significant weight loss, when the skin that stretched to cover larger thighs is left hanging, or with age, as the skin gradually loosens. The result is folds and sagging on the inner or outer thigh that no amount of exercise can tighten, because the muscle underneath is not the issue.
When the concern is stubborn fat with firm, elastic skin, liposuction alone can reshape the thigh without the scar of a lift. The consultation is where Dr. Martin determines whether your thighs need skin removed, fat removed, or both.
Your options
The right type of thigh lift depends on where your loose skin sits.
A medial thigh lift is best for loose skin on the inner thigh.
It removes excess skin from the inner thigh, with the incision placed in the crease where the thigh meets the groin so it stays hidden. This is the most common type and addresses the area most people are bothered by.
A lateral thigh lift is best for loose skin on the outer thigh and hip.
It addresses the outer thigh and is often part of a more extensive lift after major weight loss, sometimes done together with a lower body lift.
A vertical thigh lift is best for extensive loose skin along the length of the thigh.
It removes skin both around and down the thigh for significant laxity, in exchange for a longer scar. It suits patients with a large amount of hanging skin after major weight loss.
Candidacy
You may be a good candidate for a thigh lift if you have significant loose, sagging thigh skin, you are at or near a stable weight, and you understand the scar trade-off that comes with the procedure. The best candidates have stretched skin that liposuction alone will not tighten, often after major weight loss.
You may be a good candidate if you:
A thigh lift involves an honest conversation about scars, and we have it upfront. Removing the loose skin requires an incision, placed in the inner-thigh crease or along the groin depending on the type, and while Dr. Martin keeps it as discreet as possible and it fades over time, it does not disappear. For most patients who have lived with loose, chafing thigh skin, a well-placed scar is a fair trade for thighs that feel comfortable again. If your laxity is mild, AccuTite may be the better path.
Experience & judgment
Dr. Martin plans the incision based on where your loose skin sits, placing it in the natural crease wherever possible to keep it hidden. He has written about thigh-lift scars and what to expect, because setting that expectation honestly is part of a good outcome.
What he brings to that work
The procedure, step by step
A thigh lift is performed under general anesthesia. The steps follow a consistent sequence:
while you are standing, so the amount and location of skin to remove is planned accurately.
in the inner-thigh crease, along the groin, or down the thigh, depending on the type of lift.
and liposuction is used at the same time when stubborn fat is also part of the picture.
in layers to support healing, and a compression garment is placed.
Recovery
Recovery from a thigh lift focuses on protecting the incision while you move carefully early on. The pattern below is typical; Dr. Martin gives you specific instructions for your case.
The first week
Walking is limited and you will move carefully to protect the inner-thigh incision. Soreness and swelling are most noticeable now and are well controlled.
About 1 to 2 weeks
Most people return to desk work, still wearing a compression garment.
About 4 to 6 weeks
Lower-body activity and exercise gradually resume as Dr. Martin clears you.
Months
Swelling settles and the scar continues to fade and flatten over about a year as it matures.
Investment
In Denver, a thigh lift generally runs from about $8,000 to $12,000, depending on the type of lift (medial, lateral, or vertical), the extent of skin removal, whether liposuction is combined, and anesthesia and facility fees. A medial (inner) thigh lift sits at the low end of the range, while a vertical or more extensive lift sits at the upper end.
At your consultation you will receive a clear, itemized quote for your specific plan, and our team will walk you through financing options so the cost fits your budget.
Common questions
A thigh lift in Denver generally runs from about $8,000 to $12,000, depending on the type of lift, the extent of skin removal, whether liposuction is combined, and anesthesia and facility fees. A medial (inner) thigh lift sits at the low end, while a vertical or more extensive lift sits at the upper end. You will receive an itemized quote for your specific plan at your consultation, along with financing options.
The scar location depends on the type of lift. A medial (inner) thigh lift places the scar in the crease where the thigh meets the groin, where it stays hidden. A vertical thigh lift runs down the inner thigh for more extensive skin removal. Dr. Martin places the incision as discreetly as the amount of loose skin allows and reviews exactly where it will fall before surgery.
It depends on what is causing the sagging. Loose skin calls for a thigh lift, stubborn fat with firm skin calls for liposuction, and mild laxity may respond to AccuTite. Dr. Martin examines your thighs and tells you which one will give you the result you want.
An inner (medial) thigh lift removes loose skin from the inner thigh, the area most people are bothered by, with a hidden groin-crease incision. An outer (lateral) thigh lift addresses the outer thigh and hip and is often part of a more extensive lift after major weight loss.
There is no single best age. What matters is that you have loose skin that bothers you, you are at a stable weight, and you are in good health. Many patients have a thigh lift after reaching their goal weight, when the loose skin is what remains.
Most people return to desk work in about 1 to 2 weeks. Lower-body activity and exercise are limited for about 4 to 6 weeks while the inner-thigh incision heals, and the scar continues to mature over the following year.
From Dr. Martin
For a closer look at what a thigh lift involves, this article from Dr. Martin goes deeper:
Begin
The best way to know whether a thigh lift is right for you is an exam with the surgeon who performs it. Dr. Martin will assess your skin and the location of the laxity, explain your options and the scar trade-off honestly, and build a plan around your goals. Take our virtual consultation to get started, or call our Denver office at (303) 321-1439 to schedule your visit.
(303) 321-1439