Thigh Lift San Diego
The Best Candidates
- Do not have venous insufficiency of the legs or history of blood clots in the leg
- Are motivated to improve your thigh appearance through surgical intervention
- Are healthy and have maintained a stable weight for 4-6 months (within 10 pounds)
- Are satisfied with your weight prior to undergoing body contouring surgery
- Are not taking blood thinner medications or using nicotine products
- Are motivated to maintain a healthy lifestyle with diet and exercise
- Want the self confidence to wear body conscious clothes
- Have loose skin of the thighs
With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Gallus is a board certified plastic surgeon and Castle Connolly Top Doctor. She will partner with you to develop a tailored surgical plan that prioritizes your safety and results.
Thigh lift options
Thigh lift techniques have been refined over the last decade and Dr. Gallus will work with you to plan the best operative approach. If you have a bit of extra fat in addition to extra skin, liposuction of the upper thigh may be a useful addition. Sometimes liposuction is done as a separate procedure prior to removing the extra skin in order to optimize the final result.
Every individual has a unique body type that may affect final placement of the incisions and Dr. Gallus will discuss your goals to arrive at the surgical plan that optimizes your results.
Thigh lift surgery
Your thigh lift surgery is performed under general anesthesia in an accredited surgery center or hospital setting. The procedure usually takes 90 minutes to 2 hours. During the surgery, Dr. Gallus will remove the excess skin from the upper and inner thigh and sculpt the area into a slimmer and more shapely appearance. When surgery is complete, you will have compression dressings placed and will have a drain in each surgical site. Thigh lift is an outpatient procedure and you will be able to go home after recovering from anesthesia.
All the B’s: Bet You Didn’t Know This About Thigh Lift Surgery!
From why being at a stable weight matters to the different incision options and what recovery really feels like, Dr. G and Bri break down thigh lift surgery and clear up some common myths about cellulite and scar care in this episode of All the B’s, their fun and unfiltered plastic surgery podcast!
“Dr. Gallus did an amazing job with a 360 look. I never expected the results that I have received. If you are deciding to change your look for the better, then don’t hesitate. She is an amazing surgeon, and I recommend her services to everyone. She delivered above and beyond!”
—Actual patient of Dr. Gallus
Thigh lift surgery recovery
Thigh lift is an outpatient surgery, so once you have recovered from anesthesia you are able to go home with a responsible adult. Ideally, this loved-one or friend can stay with you for a day or two and drive you during the early recovery process. Some surgical pain is expected and will be treated with pain medications.
Most patients can return to work after 2-3 weeks. Normal daily activities like showering, eating, and light activity can be resumed within 48-72 hours after surgery.
Some post-operative swelling is normal and generally resolves within the first 4 weeks after surgery. Lymphatic massage is a valuable addition to your thigh lift recovery routine, helping to reduce swelling and ensure a smoother and more toned appearance. You should refrain from intense physical activity for 4-6 weeks.
During the recovery period, you will have follow-ups with Dr. Gallus and will be guided back to your usual activities. Most complications occur from getting too active too early, so select a surgical date that allows an appropriate amount of time to heal and gradually return to your more vigorous activities.
Can I combine other procedures with a thigh lift?
Thigh Lift surgery is a very powerful body contouring procedure that restores harmony to your proportions that can be lost with weight loss or aging. The procedure can be combined with breast surgery, liposuction using the SAFELipo™ technique, Avéli for cellulite reduction, or facial rejuvenation procedures such as facelift. Dr. Gallus will partner with you to develop a surgical plan that optimizes your result and your safety.
Your Safety = Beautiful Results
Thigh Lift at Restore SD
At Restore SD Plastic Surgery, patient safety comes first. Board-certified plastic surgeon and former Navy plastic surgeon Dr. Katerina Gallus operates in a private, on-site Quad A-accredited surgery center, with state-of-the-art equipment and LED surgical lighting. She proudly works with a board-certified anesthesiologist and holds privileges at Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla.
Thigh Lift FAQ’s
What happens at my thigh lift consultation?
When you arrive at Restore SD Plastic Surgery to discuss thigh lift surgery, Dr. Gallus will perform a detailed examination as well as review your medical history and any medications you are taking. At your consultation, you will have photos taken with our Vectra 3D imaging system and discuss treatment areas and options while viewing your photos series. With our state-of-the-art Canfield software, potential surgical results can be viewed and adjustments can be made, helping you to visualize possible outcomes.
What are the incisions and scars like for thigh lift surgery?
The incisions for Thigh Lift are placed on the inside and upper part of the thigh but can still be visible while wearing shorts, a bathing suit, or an above the knee skirt. Depending on your individual distribution of excess skin the incision may stop short of the knee or may extend just beyond. Your Restore SD surgeon will thoroughly examine you and discuss all of your surgical options with you.
Why is thigh lift surgery for me?
Weight loss through diet and exercise or through bariatric surgery halts or reverses some serious medical conditions such as type II diabetes, high blood pressure, and joint problems. Loose skin of the thighs can be an unanticipated side effect of weight loss and can be effectively treated with thigh lift surgery. Some skin shrinkage can be expected in the months following weight loss, so surgery is generally not undertaken until you have been at a stable weight for several months.
- Key Benefits
- Glossary
- Removes excess skin and fat to reveal smoother, more toned thighs
- Reduces chafing and skin irritation in the thigh area
- Allows for a more comfortable fit in leggings, jeans, and swimwear
- Makes it easier and more enjoyable to engage in physical activities post-procedure
- Anesthesia – Medications used to prevent pain and discomfort during surgery; thigh lift surgery typically requires general anesthesia to ensure patient comfort.
- Body Contouring – A range of procedures aimed at reshaping and refining the body’s contours; a thigh lift is considered a form of body contouring specifically targeting the thigh area.
- Compression Garments – Specialized clothing worn after thigh lift surgery to reduce swelling, support the healing tissues, and help the skin conform to the new contours of the thighs.
- Incisions – Surgical cuts made during a thigh lift, which vary in length and pattern based on the extent of the surgery and the specific areas being targeted.
- Inner Thigh Lift – A procedure focusing on removing excess skin and fat from the inner thigh to improve the thigh’s contour and reduce skin irritation.
- Liposuction – A surgical technique used to remove excess fat from the body, which can be performed in conjunction with a thigh lift to enhance the contouring effect.
- Medial Thigh Lift – Another term for an inner thigh lift, emphasizing the procedure’s focus on the area near the medial (inner) aspect of the thigh.
- Outer Thigh Lift – A procedure that targets the outer thigh and sometimes the buttocks area, often combined with other body contouring procedures for comprehensive reshaping.
- Recovery Time – The period needed for healing after a thigh lift, during which physical activities may be limited and specific post-operative care instructions must be followed.
- Scar Management – Techniques and treatments recommended post-surgery to minimize the appearance of scars, which may include the use of silicone sheets, gels, and proper wound care.
- Skin Elasticity – The skin’s ability to stretch and return to its original state; loss of elasticity due to aging or significant weight loss can be addressed with a thigh lift.
- Stretch Marks – Lines or streaks on the skin that occur from rapid stretching, some of which may be removed or reduced during the skin excision portion of a thigh lift.
- Thighplasty – The medical term for a thigh lift, a surgical procedure designed to remove excess skin and fat from the thighs to create a more toned and aesthetically pleasing appearance.
- Vertical Thigh Lift – A type of thigh lift that involves an incision that runs along the inner thigh from the groin down to the knee, allowing for extensive skin and fat removal.
Why should I choose Restore SD for my thigh lift surgery?
Dr. Gallus holds over 20 years of experience with cosmetic and reconstructive surgery and is a fully credentialed, board certified plastic surgeon. She also takes the time to listen to you, and partners with you to develop a surgical plan that prioritizes your safety and beautiful results. We want you to leave Restore SD Plastic Surgery looking and feeling your personal best. Read more about Dr. Gallus here »
How do I choose a surgeon for thigh lift?
It is important to ask if your surgeon is Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. As a board certified plastic surgeon at Restore SD, Dr. Gallus has years of training and expertise in body contouring surgery that cannot be imitated by short courses and alternative certifications. Ensure that your surgeon is proficient in body contouring surgery and thigh lift surgery in particular. The American Board of Plastic Surgery is one of 23 members of the American Board of Medical Specialties. These specialties represent the traditional core of fully trained specialists. Alternative boards have cropped up over the last several years to try to lend legitimacy to incompletely trained or poorly trained practitioners. Accept nothing less than a surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery who preferably is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS).
I am a massive weight loss patient after bariatric surgery – what do I need to know?
Thigh Lift surgery is one of several body contouring procedures that are very effective in restoring your figure and look to a slimmer and youthful one. The various body contouring surgeries after massive weight loss can be staged in a number of ways. Dr. Gallus will listen to your ideas and goals and partner with you to arrive at a surgical plan that optimizes results and safety.
How much time off work should I take after thigh lift surgery?
Depending on your profession, you should expect to take 2-3 weeks off from work. You will not be able to drive while taking narcotic pain medication and will be wearing compression garments. You will need a ride home after having general anesthesia and have a friend or family member stay with you for the first night and a day or two if possible.
What should I do to prepare for thigh lift surgery?
If you have close friends or relatives who have had arm lift surgery – start there! A personal story of their journey may guide you to questions to ask your surgeon and having someone with a shared experience is invaluable. Educate yourself by reading our procedure page and viewing our educational videos. Other sources of information include RealSelf and WebMd.
I am a smoker – can I have thigh lift surgery?
At Restore SD Plastic surgery, we want to deliver safe, consistent, and reproducible results. Smoking tobacco or using any nicotine products has adverse effects on wound healing. Your risk of tissue loss, infection, and prolonged incision healing are much higher if you use nicotine. We recommend a nicotine free period of 8 weeks prior to and a minimum of 4 weeks after surgery. We have an easy urinary nicotine test that we complete in the office to help you on your journey to a safe and gratifying surgical experience with us.
I have Diabetes – what do I need to know about thigh lift surgery?
If you have diabetes it is important to work with your medical team to keep an ideal HbA1C. Diabetes can increase your risk for prolonged wound healing and certain types of infections. Surgery can be safely performed but requires a coordinated effort from patients, surgeons, and medical doctors to attain outstanding results. There are some instances where your Restore SD surgeon may want to postpone surgery until your diabetes is under better control.
How soon can I travel after having thigh lift surgery?
Having surgery means a commitment to an appropriate recovery. We recommend scheduling your surgery at a time that allows enough time to recover and gradually return to your normal activities. Flying, driving long distances, or leaving the immediate area are not recommended until you have been cleared by your surgeon. If you have specific travel needs or require advice for emergency travel soon after a procedure, please let us know and we will be glad to discuss the details with you.
“One of the greatest challenges after significant weight loss is the feeling of being trapped in a wrinkly lump of loose skin. Dr Gallus and her amazing team were so kind and generous in helping me peel away not only my extra skin, but in feeling like it was the right thing for me. She’s taken care of my abdomen, breasts and arms. The scars are very minimal and I feel absolutely amazing. If you’re considering plastics, you can’t go wrong with coming to her.”
—Google Review for Dr. Gallus
Let’s do this!
Board certified La Jolla plastic surgeon Dr. Katerina Gallus holds over 15 years of experience as a cosmetic and reconstructive surgeon. Her priority is taking the time to listen to your goals and partner with you to develop the best and safest surgical plan that will optimize your results and leave you looking and feeling your best. To schedule your personal consultation, call our office at 858-224-2281 or reach out online.
Call to schedule your consultation today »
References »
Bell D, Winters R. Thighplasty. 2023 Jul 17. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan–.
Mocquard C, Pluvy I, Chaput B, Hoogbergen MM, Watier E, Gandolfi S, Bertheuil N. Medial Thighplasty Improves Patient’s Quality of Life After Massive Weight Loss: a Prospective Multicentric Study. Obesity Surgery. 2021 Nov;31(11):4985-4992. doi: 10.1007/s11695-021-05654-w.
Sisti A, Cuomo R, Zerini I, Tassinari J, Brandi C, Grimaldi L, D’Aniello C, Nisi G. Complications Associated With Medial Thigh Lift: A Comprehensive Literature Review. Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery. 2015 Oct-Dec;8(4):191-7. doi: 10.4103/0974-2077.172189.
Hurwitz DJ, Kruchevsky D. Interplay of Oblique Flankplasty with Vertical Medial Thighplasty. Clinics in Plastic Surgery. 2024 Jan;51(1):135-146. doi: 10.1016/j.cps.2023.06.013. Epub 2023 Aug 8.
Michaels J. Vertical Medial Thigh Contouring. Clinics in Plastic Surgery. 2019 Jan;46(1):91-103. doi: 10.1016/j.cps.2018.08.014.
Capella JF. The vertical medial thigh lift. Clinics in Plastic Surgery. 2014 Oct;41(4):727-43. doi: 10.1016/j.cps.2014.06.005.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Katerina Gallus — Updated on May 15, 2025
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