Thighplasty – Thigh Lift Surgery

Thighplasty, or thigh lift surgery, is a procedure that reshapes the thighs by removing excess skin and fat, improving contour, firmness, and overall proportion.

The surgery usually involves incisions placed along the inner thigh or groin crease, through which excess skin and fat are removed and the remaining skin tightened for a smoother contour.

After an thighplasty (thigh lift), you can expect the following results:

• Smoother, firmer thighs with less sagging skin
• Improved contour and proportion of the inner and/or outer thighs
• Reduction of excess skin folds, especially after significant weight loss
• Clothing fits more comfortably
• Improved skin tone and elasticity in the treated area
• Permanent results, provided you maintain a stable weight and healthy lifestyle
• Visible scars (usually hidden in the groin crease or inner thigh) that fade over time but do not disappear completely

To be suitable for body contouring surgery, such as a thighplasty, you should be a fully developed adult who is in good overall health save for having excess skin. You should have reached your weight loss goal and successfully maintained it for at least three months – body contouring does not stop the skin from stretching with future weight gain. If you are female, you should not plan to have any more children.

A thigh lift can address the inner thighs, outer thighs, or both, depending on your needs and surgical plan.

For thighplasty (thigh lift), the type of incision depends on how much excess skin and tissue needs to be removed:

• Inner Thigh (Crescent/Groin Incision): A short incision placed in the groin crease. Best for patients with mild to moderate skin laxity. Scar is hidden in the fold.
  
• Vertical Thigh Incision: Runs down the inner thigh from the groin toward the knee. Used for more significant skin removal. Provides greater tightening but leaves a more visible scar.
  
• Combined (Groin + Vertical): A combination of both incisions for extensive reshaping after major weight loss.
  
• Outer/Posterior Thigh Incision: Less common, but can extend from the groin or buttock crease around the outer thigh for patients with sagging skin in that area.
  

In summary: smaller lifts use hidden groin incisions, larger lifts may need a vertical scar for better results.

In many cases, liposuction is combined with thighplasty to remove stubborn fat deposits before tightening the skin. Our plastic surgeon, Dr Bangash, will recommend the best approach for you.

Our plastic surgeon, Dr. Bangash, completed his specialist training in plastic surgery in the United Kingdom and has been practicing in Australia since 2011.

Choosing a plastic surgeon for thighplasty ensures specialized expertise in aesthetic and reconstructive surgery. They are skilled in body contouring, minimizing scarring, and achieving natural-looking results.

Dr. Bangash brings a deep commitment to high-quality, patient-centred care, with a focus on safety, informed consent, and optimal aesthetic outcomes.

Most patients need 2–3 weeks off work and should avoid strenuous activity for 4–6 weeks. Swelling and bruising are normal early on, and results continue to refine over several months.

Most patients describe it as soreness and tightness rather than severe pain. Discomfort improves steadily over the following weeks, with most people feeling much more comfortable by 4–6 weeks.

Thighplasty is usually performed under general anaesthesia, meaning you’ll be asleep and comfortable during the procedure.

Scars are usually placed along the inner thigh or groin fold and fade over time, but they are permanent. Skilled surgical techniques help make them as discreet as possible.

Thighplasty surgery usually takes 2 to 3 hours, depending on the amount of excess skin being removed and whether both inner and outer thighs are treated. More complex cases, such as after major weight loss, may take longer.

Results from thighplasty are long-lasting, especially if you maintain a stable weight and healthy lifestyle. Natural aging will still occur but improvements are permanent.

Body contouring surgeries, such as a thighplasty, are not intended to provide weight loss. Though your overall weight may reduce when sections of skin are removed, you are unlikely to experience dramatic changes and should reach your goal weight before undergoing body contouring surgery.

As with any surgery, risks include bleeding, infection, poor wound healing, scarring, asymmetry, or changes in skin sensation. Choosing a qualified plastic surgeon reduces these risks.

In most cases, thighplasty is considered cosmetic and not covered. However, if surgery is required after massive weight loss and meets strict medical criteria, some hospital costs may be partially covered.

Costs vary depending on the complexity of surgery, hospital and anaesthetic fees, and whether liposuction is included. In Australia, prices generally range from $7,000–$10,000, not including additional expenses such as hospital stay or compression garments.