Thigh Lift
Consultations offered at our two convenient locations in Beverly Hills and Los Angeles, CA
A thigh lift, also known as thighplasty, is a specialized cosmetic procedure that involves the removal of flabby skin and stubborn fat from the inner and outer thighs. It is commonly performed after major weight loss and pregnancy when the excess volume is unresponsive to diet and exercise. Whether you have done the work to reach a healthy weight or have recently given birth and have noticed changes in your thighs, a thigh lift can help you achieve firmer, younger-looking, and more proportionate to the rest of your body – creating a substantially improved overall appearance.
With practices in both Beverly Hills and West Hollywood, Dr. Sean Younai is an experienced and board-certified plastic surgeon with a passion for body contouring. With years of experience, countless successful procedures and a reputation for delivering among the best thigh lift Los Angeles has available, few surgeons are more qualified than Dr. Younai to help you achieve the smooth and contoured legs you’ve always wanted.
To schedule a private consultation to discuss your options, contact us directly by filling out this form or calling (310) 275-1971.
Before and After Photos
Contents
All About Thigh Lift Procedures
There are two main types of thigh lifts: inner and outer. Dr. Younai goes to great lengths to ensure the resulting scars are extremely minimal and can be easily hidden, either with clothing or within the natural contours of your body.
Each type of procedure targets the inner or outer thighs, but both also offer some contouring to the rest of the lower body, particularly the buttocks. If you are noticing some sagging around the buttock, or loose pockets of skin around the cheek area, a thigh lift can be modified to address this area as well.
Inner Thigh Lift
During the inner, or medial, thigh lift, Dr. Younai makes an incision in the groin area. Through that opening, he expertly excises any excess fat and skin along the inner area of the thigh. Depending on the amount of fat present, he may also perform liposuction to ensure an optimal result. From there, he smooths the skin from the groin to the knee, creating a youthful contour. There are three main incisions used for medial thigh lift: vertical, horizontal, or a combination of both. When a horizontal incision is required, the scar is located along the groin crease within the inner thigh. Dr. Younai measures how much excess skin is present, and a horizontal incision is made, the necessary liposuction is performed, and then the thigh is sutured in layers to ensure proper healing. Horizontal incisions are used when skin laxity is primarily located on the upper third quadrant of the thigh. (1)
If laxity continues beyond the upper third quadrant, vertical incisions are preferred. When using vertical incisions, Dr. Younai pinches the skin to see how much to extract. He measures out an ellipse of skin and fat, the estimated vertical line usually ending up about where the scar will remain after the procedure. This incision is commonly used when a larger amount of skin and fat must be removed, allowing the surgeon more room to access the tissue.
If horizontal and vertical incisions are needed, the patient’s scars are along the groin crease and down the inner thigh portion of the leg. This combination can help with buttock contouring since the horizontal incision usually extends to the middle of the gluteal groove. (1)
Outer Thigh Lift
The outer, or lateral, thigh lift is more complex, with incisions made in the groin, around the hip, and possibly extending to the buttocks. During this part of your thigh lift, Dr. Younai removes excess tissue from the outer thigh area, as well as re-contours the buttocks to ensure a smooth and flawless result. (2) This type of thigh lift is often reserved for severe cases of excess skin and fat located on the outer and inner thighs. It leaves a much more noticeable scar and can require a much larger extraction than medial thigh lift procedures.
Benefits of a Thigh Lift
A thigh lift can be an excellent way to recapture the slim and contoured thighs you desire. Some benefits include:
- Slimmer, Smoother Thighs: After massive weight loss, your thigh skin loses its elasticity, leading to folding skin. Thigh lifts are often the only way to help flatten this area and give you structured and aesthetically pleasing thighs.
- Firmer Thighs: Thigh lift procedures often also address the underlying muscles, lifting and toning the upper leg as well as removing excess skin.
- Relief from Chafing and Rubbing: Once the excess skin is removed, the discomfort caused by friction, especially when exercising or moving around, is dramatically reduced.
- Reduction of Stretch Marks: Reducing the amount of skin on the thighs often leads to the removal of skin that is affected by stretch marks.
Excess skin and fat in the thigh area can also lead to increased skin infection and a lack of confidence. Thighplasty can relieve patients from embarrassing or unpleasant contours and allow for major increases in self-worth and positive body outlook.
Ideal Candidates for Thigh Lift
Patients with excess loose skin around the outer or inner thigh after weight loss or pregnancy are usually the ideal demographic for this procedure. If you are in good overall health, a non-smoker, and at a stable and healthy weight, you make a great candidate for a thigh lift. It is important to make sure your expectations are appropriate before deciding to get surgery, and you must be willing to maintain a healthy lifestyle and weight after the procedure to keep your results.
Personal Consultation
To get started, Dr. Younai invites you to come into the office for a private consultation, at which point you will discuss your cosmetic goals and concerns, and he will create a custom surgical plan designed to create the ideal thighs you desire. This appointment is also an opportunity for you to ask questions about the procedure and what receiving it may do for you in the long run.
In order to determine your candidacy, Dr. Younai performs a medical examination to observe your thighs and figure out the best way to address your concerns. He is thorough and personable, allowing you to remain comfortable enough to talk to him about any worries you may have about the procedure, your expected results, or other health-related inquiries.
How Do I Prepare for a Thigh Lift?
Please stop taking NSAIDs like ibuprofen and aspirin, any herbal supplements not recommended by Dr. Younai and any other medications that may hinder the procedure process. You must discontinue smoking or ingesting tobacco and nicotine products as they can cause problems during your recovery. You will also be required to find a person you trust to drive you to and from your procedure, as well as watch over you for the first few postoperative days. Thigh lift procedures require the use of general anesthesia, so you will not be able to drive yourself home.
Recovery
Dr. Younai will provide detailed instructions about your post-operative care, including how to care for drains, take your antibiotics, wear your compression garments, and prevent any complications. You may feel discomfort for the first two or three weeks after your procedure, but Dr. Younai will prescribe medication to help eliminate postoperative pain. Your discomfort will be manageable with over-the-counter medications thereafter.
In general, you should only engage in light activities during the first ten to 14 days, as this is a critical period for healing. In many cases, you’ll be advised to wear a compression garment for the first month to ensure an optimal result, and you should avoid any heavy lifting and strenuous exercise for at least six weeks.
Results of a Thigh Lift
Immediately after your thigh lift surgery, your smooth new contours will be visible. There will also be a period of bruising, swelling, and soreness. As long as your procedure was performed correctly by a board-certified plastic surgeon, like Dr. Younai, your thigh lift results will endure for up to ten years. However, your thighs may change due to pregnancy, weight gain, or weight loss, so it’s important to remain at a stable weight if you want to maintain your beautiful results.
Cost of Thigh Lift in Beverly Hills
Many considerations influence the cost of a thigh lift. Depending on what type of procedure is necessary, whether liposuction is used, and your perceived expectations, each patient’s overall price will vary.
Dr. Younai will inform you of your specific cost details during your personal consultation. To schedule your appointment, call our office at (310) 275-1971, or you may fill out this convenient form and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
FAQ
How long does a thigh lift procedure take to complete?
The procedure usually takes from 2 to 3 hours to complete depending on the extent of removal.
How long does it take to recover fully from a thigh lift?
Patients usually recover fully within 6 months after their surgery.
How noticeable will my scar be after my thigh lift?
If you are looking for a more comprehensive lift, you may be left with more prominent scarring in the outer or inner thigh areas. Dr. Younai will ask you about your expectations in order to determine the best strategy, and you may opt for more or less noticeable scars depending on the results you desire.
References
- Gentile P, Gigliotti S, Colicchia G, et al. Medial thighplasty: Horizontal and vertical procedures after massive weight loss. Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery. 2012;5(1):20. doi:https://doi.org/10.4103/0974-2077.94330
- Bell D, Winters R. Thighplasty. PubMed. Published 2023. Accessed November 17, 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK594236/