Thigh Lift in Scottsdale, AZ

Losing weight is a great victory for any person. But men and women who achieve their weight loss goals may need one extra step to complete their physical transformation. Based on how long you were overweight and how much of that weight you lost, excess skin may be an additional concern. Sometimes, the skin is unable to shrink to the new size and shape of your body. The thighs are an area of trouble for most patients. At Forma Plastic Surgery in Scottsdale, AZ, our plastic surgeons offer a surgical thigh lift (also known as thighplasty), which removes excess skin on the outer and inner thighs to create a tighter, more contoured look. Thigh lift surgery has risen in popularity because it offers natural-looking results for anyone who wants to reduce the appearance of saggy skin on the thighs.

What Is a Thigh Lift?

A thigh lift is a skin removal and tightening procedure that treats sagging skin on the thighs. Generally, we can perform a thighplasty as an after-weight-loss treatment. It works best for patients who have lost 100 or more pounds. A thigh lift is also helpful for older people who want to reduce excess skin caused by age or women whose body weight has changed because of pregnancy and childbirth. If you have hanging, loose, or wrinkly skin on the upper thighs (whether it’s the outer or inner thighs or both), a thigh lift may be a good option.

Types of Thigh Lifts

Inner Thigh Lift (Medial Thigh Lift)

An inner thigh lift, also called a medial thigh lift, is a body contouring procedure that targets sagging skin along the inner thighs. This approach is especially beneficial for individuals who have undergone significant weight loss and are left with loose skin that cannot tighten naturally. The surgery typically begins in the groin area, where the surgeon makes a vertical incision that may extend down the thigh. This allows for the removal of excess skin and the creation of smoother, more proportionate inner thighs.

An outer thigh lift, or lateral thigh lift, focuses on reshaping the outer thigh and hip region. This option is best suited for patients who struggle with lax skin that can cause discomfort and interfere with clothing fit. By lifting and tightening the tissue, the procedure helps restore firmer contours and improves overall body balance, often enhancing the results of prior weight loss or liposuction.

A mini thigh lift offers a less invasive alternative to traditional thighplasty, making it ideal for patients with only mild to moderate skin laxity. The surgeon places a discreet incision within the groin crease, which allows for a subtle lift and tightening of the upper inner thigh. This technique offers noticeable refinement with minimal downtime, enabling patients to achieve a more toned appearance without the extensive recovery typically associated with larger thigh lifts.

A spiral thigh lift is a comprehensive technique that addresses the front, back, inner, and outer thighs. This surgical procedure, designed for patients after massive weight loss, removes excess fat and skin to improve thigh contours. Because it treats multiple areas at once, it offers some of the most transformative results of all thigh lift options, restoring both comfort and confidence for individuals who have achieved significant weight reduction.

Thigh Lift Consultation

Before moving forward with surgery, you will meet with our board-certified plastic surgeon for a personalized consultation. During this visit, we will assess your skin elasticity to determine how well your skin may respond to tightening and lifting. A detailed review of your medical history is also conducted to ensure the procedure is safe and appropriate for you. Your overall physical health will be carefully evaluated, allowing the surgeon to design a treatment plan that addresses your unique needs and goals.

What to Expect During Thigh Lift Surgery

1. Anesthesia

Thigh lift surgery takes about 2-3 hours to perform, and we use general anesthesia to help keep you comfortable. Our anesthesiologist will monitor you closely throughout the procedure to ensure your safety.

Surgical incisions can vary based on candidacy, but typically are made either on the inside of the thigh or across the top of the thigh. The exact placement is chosen to balance optimal results with the least visible scarring possible.

Our incision technique provides enough space to use surgical liposuction (if necessary) to remove stubborn pockets of fat and excise the excess skin at the top of the thigh. This combination approach helps contour the thighs, creating a smoother and firmer appearance.
Finally, we stretch the remaining skin to tighten and secure it with sutures. This step creates the lifted and toned look that patients seek from a thigh lift.
After the skin is repositioned, the surgical area is carefully dressed, and drains may be placed to reduce fluid buildup during the first few days of recovery. Compression garments are applied to support the healing tissues and help maintain your new contours. Once the procedure is complete, you will be taken to a recovery area where our team monitors you before you are cleared to go home the same day.
Before & After

What to Expect After a Thigh Lift

After undergoing a thigh lift at Forma Plastic Surgery, you can expect a significant transformation in the appearance and contour of your thighs. The surgery involves incisions either on the inside or across the top of the thigh to remove excess skin and, if necessary, liposuction to eliminate stubborn fat.

Post-surgery, the initial recovery period involves some discomfort, bruising, and swelling; however, many patients can walk around slowly in the first few days to aid in the healing process. The total recovery period typically spans 6-8 weeks. This procedure, designed for individuals who have experienced substantial weight loss or have excess skin due to aging or pregnancy, yields smoother, firmer thighs and a more toned appearance, thereby enhancing both physical comfort and self-esteem.

Thigh Lift Candidates

Thigh lift surgery is a skin removal and tightening procedure that improves the appearance of sagging skin. Thighplasty is typically a post-weight-loss treatment. It is generally performed on patients who have lost 100 pounds or more. It is also helpful for older adults concerned about loose skin caused by natural aging, as well as women whose body weight has changed due to pregnancy. A thigh lift can be helpful if you have wrinkly, hanging, or loose skin on the upper thighs (the inner or outer thighs or both). Candidates should not have severe medical conditions, such as blood-clotting disorders, that might increase surgical risks.

Please remember that if cellulite is your main issue, your Forma Plastic Surgery surgeon can recommend other treatments that may help reduce the appearance of cellulite.

What Are the Benefits of a Thigh Lift?

Thigh lift surgery can be life-changing, renewing a patient’s confidence, appearance, and even their mobility. Some of the most compelling benefits of thigh lift surgery include the following:

  • Can be used to remove excess, loose, or wrinkled thigh skin
  • Can be performed on the inner thighs, outer thighs, or both
  • Creates a smoother, firmer, more desirable leg shape
  • Helps reduce chafing and skin irritation
  • Boosts the patient’s self-esteem
  • Results can last for 10 years or longer

Cost of Thigh Lifts in Scottsdale, AZ

The cost of a thigh lift in Scottsdale, AZ, ranges from $8,000 to $15,000, depending on the complexity of the procedure and the specific technique used. Factors that influence pricing include whether you need an upper inner thigh lift, a more extensive outer or spiral lift, or a mini thigh lift that involves smaller incisions. Additional costs may also come from anesthesia, facility fees, and any combined cosmetic procedures performed at the same time.

Since each patient’s body type, skin condition, and goals are unique, the exact price of surgery will vary. During your consultation, we will provide a detailed breakdown of the costs specific to your surgical plan.

Thigh Lift FAQs

Will a thigh lift remove cellulite or stretch marks?

Thigh lift surgery is a great choice to improve the contour and appearance of your legs. Since the procedure calls for skin tightening and addressing stubborn fat, it can improve the appearance of stretch marks on your upper legs. If you’re interested in addressing stretch marks, let your surgeon know during your consultation so they can personalize your treatment plan to match all your goals.

A combined procedure is sometimes referred to as an upper body lift and can combine liposuction, a breast lift, and/or a tummy tuck. An arm liftis also commonly performed as part of the post-weight-loss surgery for those who have lost a significant amount of weight and want full-body contouring. In your initial consultation with your plastic surgeon at Forma Plastic Surgery, each surgery will be discussed in detail so your unique treatment plan fits all your goals.

If you adhere to a healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise and a balanced diet, you should maintain the results of your thigh lift for many years. Our plastic surgeons recommend that you be at or near a healthy weight before thigh lift surgery, so it’s easier to maintain your results. Significant weight changes or pregnancy following your thigh lift can compromise your results. During your consultation, your surgeon will discuss steps you can take to make your thigh lift results last longer.

Although there are nonsurgical options for skin tightening and fat reduction, these are best for mild improvements. A thighplasty is a great way to correct significant amounts of excess skin and stubborn fat on your thighs. If you are considering nonsurgical treatments, ask your surgeon at Forma Plastic Surgery for more information during your initial consultation. They will tell you the benefits and drawbacks of nonsurgical and surgical thigh lift options, as well as their recommendation on which would better suit your goals.
Thigh lift incisions are typically made either vertically along the inner thigh or at the top of the thigh, where the thigh meets the pelvis and/or buttocks. These locations make it fairly easy to conceal thigh lift scars beneath clothing. While scarring is unavoidable after thigh lift surgery, our team will provide thorough scar care instructions and product recommendations to help your scars heal and fade as fully as possible.
Thigh lift surgery is not specifically designed to address fat and/or cellulite. However, liposuction is often performed in conjunction with thigh lift surgery to remove stubborn fatty tissue, which can help to reduce the appearance of cellulite. Additionally, when the skin is pulled taut during thigh lift surgery, patients often enjoy a noticeably smoother new look.
After thigh lift surgery, you’ll need to refrain from exercise and heavy lifting for at least 6-8 weeks or until cleared by your surgeon. Resuming your exercise routine too soon can delay your healing progress and may cause your incisions to reopen.
Thigh lift recovery varies for each person, but there are ways to support your body so it can heal properly. Wearing compression garments as directed helps improve circulation and minimize swelling in the thigh area during the first few weeks. Maintaining a stable weight is also essential, since significant weight fluctuations can slow down healing and affect results. Taking prescribed pain medication as needed will keep you comfortable so you can move around carefully and avoid complications. By following post-operative instructions closely, you give your body the best chance to recover smoothly and enjoy your results sooner.
At Forma Plastic Surgery, we take pride in having each thigh lift performed by our experienced surgeons with a strong emphasis on patient safety. We can address excess skin following dramatic weight loss or age-related changes to enhance both the thighs and overall body contour. Whether your aesthetic concerns involve the bikini line, outer thighs, or inner thighs, our procedures target the areas that matter most to you. This personalized approach ensures that patients not only achieve smoother, firmer thighs but also feel more confident in their shape and proportions.

Get Tighter, Toned Thighs

If you have excess skin on your legs that creates anxiety or embarrassment, we encourage you to contact Forma Plastic Surgery in Scottsdale, AZ, to learn more about thigh lift surgery. Depending on your specific needs, you can combine a thigh lift procedure with other contouring treatments for the lower body, including a tummy tuck or a lower body lift. Schedule your appointment with our team and attain slimmer-looking thighs.