Thigh Lift Cost and Procedure Guide

If you have loose, saggy skin on your thighs — whether from aging or weight loss surgery — and aren't happy about it, a thigh lift may be an option worth looking into. This cosmetic surgery can be used to contour the thighs for a smoother appearance and address discomfort caused by your thighs rubbing together.¹

Read on to learn about the different types of thigh lifts, their benefits, costs and much more.

What Is a Thigh Lift?

A thigh lift, also called a thighplasty, is a cosmetic surgery that reshapes your thighs by removing excess skin and fat.¹ Along with improving the appearance of your thighs, a thigh lift can also help reduce the irritation and pain caused by the friction of your thighs rubbing together when you walk.²

The benefits of a thigh lift include:¹

• Smoother, shapelier thighs
• A reduction in the appearance of stretch marks
• Less sagging skin²
• Less chafing and fewer friction rashes²
• Increased confidence

Types of Thigh Lifts

Different types of thigh lift surgeries target different areas of the thighs, such as the front, back, outer and inner thighs. For someone who'd rather not go under the knife, there's also a non-surgical option that can tighten the thighs.

Medial thigh lift

A medial thigh lift, also called an inner thigh lift, tightens the inner part of the thigh.² It can be performed through two types of incisions: one that extends from the groin around the back of the thigh just below the bum, or a vertical incision that runs from the groin to the knee.³

Bilateral thigh lift

The bilateral thigh lift is also called an outer thigh lift. It tightens the skin on the front and outer thigh and is a good option for people with a lot of excess skin due to significant weight loss. It's performed through a V-shaped incision at the top of the leg. If you have a lot of excess skin and tissue, the incision may need to wrap around your hip.⁴

Spiral thigh lift

A spiral thigh lift is also called a circumferential thighplasty or a 360-degree thigh lift because it targets the entire circumference of the thigh. The technique uses incisions that extend from the groin to the inside of the knee and another that runs from the groin area around the waist to the hip bone.²

The spiral thigh lift technique is most often used for people with a lot of excess sagging skin and lumpy deposits left from extreme weight loss.²

Mini thigh lift

A mini thigh lift may be an option if you just want to repair sagging in the upper inner thigh. The results aren't as dramatic as with other types of thigh lifts, but the procedure has some benefits. For instance, it involves only a short incision in the groin crease at the top of the thigh. A smaller incision means minimal scarring and a quicker recovery compared to other, more complex thigh lift techniques.⁴

Scarless thigh lift

A scarless thigh lift isn't actually a thigh lift, though it is sometimes offered as a non-surgical alternative to thigh lift surgery, especially for people with minimal to moderate sagging. This cosmetic procedure uses non-surgical skin tightening, such as Renuvion^® or BodyTite^®, and/or laser lipo to firm and tighten the thighs.⁵

How Much Does a Thigh Lift Cost?

The national average cost* of thigh lift surgery in the United States is $8,715, but it can range from $6,825 to $16,937.⁶ This is because the procedures vary in complexity. For instance, a mini thigh lift targets a smaller portion of the thigh compared to other types and involves a smaller incision.⁴ Compare that to the spiral thigh lift, which is the most complex, involving the entire circumference of the thigh and the removal of much more tissue.²

As for scarless thigh lifts, the cost of a single radiofrequency skin tightening treatment ranges from $582 to $1,448, with an average cost* of $755. The cost varies depending on the provider, where they're located and the number of treatment sessions needed to achieve the desired results.⁶

Average cost of thigh lift surgery by state/district

Below is the average cost* of thigh lift surgery across all 50 states and the District of Columbia:⁶

Are Thigh Lifts Covered by Insurance?

Thigh lift surgery is not usually covered by health insurance because it's considered an elective cosmetic surgery.⁷ That said, it's still worth checking with your insurance provider to be sure. They may cover a portion of the procedure if you can prove your excess thigh skin has caused medical issues, such as chronic rashes and chafing that haven't responded to other treatments.⁸

Candidates for a Thigh Lift

Your surgeon will take your medical history and health into consideration to determine if you're a good candidate for a thigh lift and which procedure would be best suited.⁹

You may be a good candidate for a thigh lift if:¹⁰

• You're healthy and don't have medical conditions that affect healing or increase surgical complications.
• You don't smoke.
• Your weight is stable.
• You're committed to leading a healthy lifestyle.
• You have realistic expectations about what thigh lift surgery can — and can't — do.

How Does a Thigh Lift Work?

Although the exact process may differ between practices, here is a general overview of what to expect when getting a thigh lift.

Consultation

During your consultation, the surgeon will examine your skin, go over your medical history and discuss your goals and expectations to help determine the best type of thigh lift for you. They'll go over the procedure and possible complications and give you preparation instructions.⁹

Preparation

You'll be given specific instructions to prepare for your thigh lift surgery. This may include:¹¹

• Getting lab testing or a medical evaluation
• Stopping smoking
• Taking certain medications
• Avoiding medications that increase bleeding, such as aspirin and anti-inflammatories

Procedure

Here's a general rundown of what to expect on the day of your thigh lift surgery:³

• Before surgery, your surgeon will draw the incision lines on your skin while you're standing.
• You will be given anesthesia to put you to sleep.
• The surgeon will make an incision in your groin. Depending on the type of surgery you have, the incision may extend down toward your knee, around your thigh or around your hip.
• The surgeon then removes fat and addresses the tissue and surrounding muscles before trimming away excess skin.²
• Your new shape is then in place with sutures deep in your thigh, and the incisions are closed with stitches, skin adhesive or clips.
• Dressings or a bandage will be applied to your incisions. You may also have tubes placed under the skin temporarily to drain fluid from the area.¹²

Potential Complications and Side Effects

Every surgical procedure carries some likelihood of side effects and complications. Your surgeon should discuss these with you before surgery so you can decide if the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. You can minimize the chance of possible complications by choosing a board-certified surgeon with extensive experience performing thigh lifts and following your surgeon's preparation and postoperative instructions.¹³

While complications are fairly common with thigh lifts, severe complications requiring corrective surgery are rare.¹⁴

You'll have scarring after your thigh lift, but it should fade over time.¹⁵ Cosmetic treatments can minimize the appearance of scars.

Other potential side effects of thigh lifts include:¹⁶

• Asymmetry
• Bleeding
• Changes in sensation
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
• Infection
• Reactions to anesthesia
• Swelling

Recovering From a Thigh Lift

Your surgeon will let you know how much time to take off work or school to recover from your thigh lift, but you should rest your legs for up to 14 days. Most people can resume their usual activities after six weeks.¹⁷

If you have drains placed, your surgeon will tell you how often to drain them and how to care for your incisions at home. You'll also likely need to wear compression garments for at least four weeks.¹⁷

Your thighs and incisions will be sore, and movement and touch may cause discomfort. The pain can be managed with prescription and over-the-counter pain medications.¹⁷

Here are a few tips for a smooth recovery from thigh lift surgery:¹⁷

• Follow your surgeon's aftercare instructions and attend all of your follow-up appointments.
• Gravity, walking and sitting can put stress on your stitches, so when you're not resting, move carefully and deliberately to minimize the strain.
• Have your medication, water and other things you might need or want on hand so you don't have to get up more than necessary in the first days of recovery.
• Wear your compression garment for as long as instructed. It can help reduce swelling and speed up recovery.
• Be sure to stay hydrated before and after surgery.
• Watch for signs of infections and complications, and call your surgeon right away if you develop a fever or have bleeding, worsening pain or other concerning symptoms.

Thigh Lift Results: What to Expect

Everyone is different, but typically, the incisions from a thigh lift should heal after a few weeks to a few months. Your swelling should improve gradually after three to five weeks, and your results should be fully visible after a few months.¹⁷

A thigh lift can help contour your thighs and address sagging caused by aging and weight loss. If you've lost a lot of weight, it can help you show off the results of your hard work by removing excess skin for a more toned appearance. It can also be combined with complementary procedures, like a tummy tuck or arm lift, to complete your transformation. Finding a board-certified surgeon is the first step in reaching your aesthetic goals and becoming more confident in the way you look.

Financing a Thigh Lift With the CareCredit Credit Card

Ready to revitalize your appearance and boost your confidence? The CareCredit credit card makes it easy to pay for a thigh lift and related expenses not covered by health insurance.** Use our Acceptance Locator to find a doctor or cosmetic surgeon near you that accepts CareCredit so you can stop dreaming and start living your best life. Continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your CareCredit account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.

In addition to cosmetic procedures, you can also use your CareCredit credit card for dentistry, pet care, vision, hearing, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases, spa treatments and so much more within the CareCredit network. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?

Author Bio

Adrienne Santos-Longhurst is a writer who has been covering health and lifestyle for almost two decades. Her work has appeared in Healthline, Insider, Medical News Today and more.