Thigh Lift

Dr. Kenneth Hughes, Harvard-trained, board-certified plastic surgeon, has performed thigh lifts in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills for over a decade.  If you have loose skin on your thighs and do not feel comfortable wearing shorts, swimsuits, or tighter clothing, a thigh lift may be the correct surgery for you.  In addition, those patients who have liposuction deformities, dimpling, or loose skin from previous liposuction surgery may benefit from thigh lift surgery as well.   Whatever the cause, Dr. Kenneth Hughes will remove loose skin on the thighs and make the thighs look smaller, smoother, and better.

Before and After Photos

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Overview

Dr. Kenneth Hughes offers all variants of the thigh lift to improve the inner and outer thighs as well as the front and back of the thighs.   The ultimate thigh lift procedure is based upon patient desires and anatomical configuration.

A medial or inner thigh lifts addresses loose skin in the inner thigh that usually occurs as a result of weight loss, pregnancy, previous surgery such as liposuction, or up-and-down dieting.  Some thigh lifts can be performed with a scar that is hidden in the groin crease. Some may require an incision that extends for a distance down the inner thigh, which is very difficult to see when placed appropriately.  Any additional improvement near the lower part of the thigh and knee will involve an extended medial thigh lift (extended inner thigh lift).

Groin Incision

The groin incision thigh lift can be a very powerful tool to improve skin laxity along the inner thighs. The beauty of its design is that the scar can be hidden in the groin crease so that some of these scars are almost undetectable. At the same time, done correctly, inner thigh laxity to the level of the mid-thigh can be improved dramatically.  The groin incision inner thigh lift will NOT improve the skin near the knees.

The Extended Inner

The extended medial (inner) thigh lift is typically reserved for patients who have undergone massive weight loss.  However, there are certainly many patients without massive weight loss history who will benefit from this type of thigh lift.  The scar typically extends from the groin crease down the inner aspect of the thigh to the knee so that the scar is difficult to detect upon casual gaze.  This allows for maximal removal of skin and maximal tightening for the entirety of the thigh down to the knee.  Many patients who have undergone weight loss through surgery or diet or exercise may need other surgeries including tummy tuck, arm lift, body lift, breast lift, and Brazilian buttlift or BBL among others.

Cost

The cost of the Groin Incision Thigh Lift is $12,000 to $15,000, depending upon the extent of excision.

The cost of the Extended Inner Thigh Lift is $15,000 to $20,000.

Please note that pricing and cost for Thigh Lift may vary based on the individual needs of the patient.

Other Thigh Lift Surgeries

There are other variants of the thigh lift like the anterior (front), lateral (outer) or posterior (back) thigh lift.  A posterior thigh lift or inferior butt lift utilizes an incision in the gluteal fold (underneath the buttocks). In this manner, the buttocks, back of thighs, and outer thighs are lifted during the same procedure.  Patients may have many areas of skin laxity on the thighs, and Dr. Kenneth Hughes can tailor any operation to improve that specific area or multiple specific areas.

In addition, these thigh lift surgeries may be combined with other procedures including mommy makeover surgeries or arm lifts.

Alternatives

While the thigh lift is certainly effective in its removal of tissue and correcting issues of skin laxity and reducing arm size and circumference, the scar produced is often objectionable to many patients. Dr. Kenneth Hughes, MD has extensive experience and amazing successes with the Bodytite technology to avoid the longer scars associated with thigh lifts and arm lifts as well as other excisional procedures such as tummy tuck, butt lifts, etc.  Bodytite can be used in conjunction with liposuction to tighten the tissues of the thighs or arms or wherever by about 40%.  These types of results will not be achievable by another technology or my another surgeon.  Although Bodytite will never reproduce the excisional surgical results, optimal treatment by Dr. Kenneth Hughes can come pretty close.

Videos with Dr. Kenneth Hughes

Recovery

Dr. Hughes will give the best thigh lift results possible on the surgical table, but any great surgical result can be ruined if the proper postoperative routine is not followed. Dr. Kenneth Hughes provides nutritional recommendations including consumption of at least 100 grams of protein each day for the first 6 weeks following surgery.  Drinking water and thin soup as the mainstay of postoperative nutrition is unacceptable and will lead to incision separation and opening and possible infection as well as prolonged healing necessitating wound care and need for revision.  These complications are almost entirely avoidable by following Dr. Hughes’s postoperative recommendations, abstaining from sex and exercise for 6 weeks, and not placing tension on the incisions with body positioning.

Dr. Kenneth Hughes will typically see patients at 1 week, at 4 to 6 weeks, and at 3 to 6 months for follow-up.  It is not acceptable for patients to not return for follow-up. Dr. Hughes must see you and communicate with you to assure the best results. Dr. Kenneth Hughes is available by phone at all hours of the day and night, including weekends and holidays, so there is NO excuse to not contact the office or Dr. Hughes personally about your recovery.  Going to the emergency room to receive plastic surgery treatment or advice is not acceptable as these individuals will not have the vast experience of Dr. Hughes for your specific surgery and management.  Many times the treatment or lack thereof received from the emergency room or hospital staff makes Dr. Hughes’s job more difficult or leads to additional need for surgery or revision or other corrective measures.

Results

Dr. Kenneth Hughes has extensive experience in massive weight loss and body contouring surgery from both his residency and his aesthetic fellowship at Harvard Medical School as well as throughout the thousands of body contouring procedures he has performed in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills.  Thigh lifts, arm lifts, breast lifts, and tummy tucks are performed in combination and with exacting precision, and his patients have been so grateful.

Frequently Asked Questions

Your Consultation

Contact the office of Dr. Kenneth Hughes to schedule your consultation for a thigh lift in Los Angeles or Beverly Hills.  We will be happy to help you achieve your aesthetic goals.

Pre-operative and Post-operative Instructions

PREPARING FOR SURGERY

• STOP SMOKING: Smoking reduces circulation to the skin and impedes healing. It is best to avoid smoking, secondhand smoke, and cigarette replacements such as nicotine patches or gum in the peri-operative period. You should ideally stop smoking for 4 weeks before and after your surgical procedure. Please tell Dr. Hughes of any smoking history well in advance of surgery.
• TAKE MULTIVITAMINS: Start taking multivitamins twice daily to improve your general health once you have scheduled your surgery.
• TAKE VITAMIN C: Start taking 500 mg of Vitamin C twice daily to promote healing.
• START TAKING AN IRON SUPPLEMENT: A good iron supplement, such as Feosol Spansules, is required starting one week before surgery and four weeks following surgery. Bowel movements may appear darker than usual as a result. Feosol is available without prescription.
• DO NOT TAKE ASPIRIN OR IBUPROFEN: Stop taking medications containing aspirin or ibuprofen. Review the list of drugs containing aspirin and ibuprofen carefully. Such drugs can cause bleeding problems during and after surgery. Instead, use medications containing acetaminophen (such as Tylenol).
• LIMIT VITAMIN E: Limit your intake of Vitamin E to less than 400 mg per day.
• FILL YOUR PRESCRIPTIONS: You will be given prescriptions for medications. Please have them filled BEFORE the day of surgery and bring them with you.
• CONFIRM SURGERY TIME: We will call you to confirm the time of your surgery. If you are not going to be at home or at your office, please call us to confirm at (310) 275-4170.
• PRESCRIPTIONS: Make sure that you have filled the prescriptions you were given and set the medications out to bring with you tomorrow. Have the number for your pharmacy ready so that if Dr. Hughes and associates need to call in any special medications for you on your day of surgery, they will have that information readily available.
• CLEANSING: The night before surgery, shower and wash the surgical areas with an antibacterial soap.
• EATING AND DRINKING: Do not eat or drink anything after 12:00 midnight except for a small amount of water to rinse your mouth while brushing your teeth.
• SPECIAL INFORMATION: Do not eat or drink anything! If you take a daily medication, you may take it with a sip of water in the early morning.
• ORAL HYGIENE: You may brush your teeth, but do not swallow the water.
• MAKE-UP: Please do not apply moisturizers, creams, lotions, or makeup.
• CLOTHING: Wear only comfortable loose-fitting clothing that does not go over your head. NO TIGHT PANTS. Remove hairpins, wigs, and jewelry. Please do not bring valuables with you. TAKE OUT ALL PIERCINGS and REMOVE ALL ARTIFICIAL FINGERNAILS PRIOR TO SURGERY.
• CHECK IN/PREPARATION: You should plan to arrive earlier than your scheduled surgery time. DO NOT BE LATE. Patients younger than 18 years old must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. When you arrive at our office on the day of your surgery, give the receptionist the phone number of the pharmacy you would like us to call for any special medications Dr. Hughes and associates might prescribe.
• CARETAKER: Someone must spend the first night after surgery with you.

POST-OP INSTRUCTIONS

ACTIVITY

1. The first week, you will need to rest frequently. You need to walk around the house as tolerated. Avoid stairs if possible.
2. For the first six weeks post-op, sleep on your stomach (unless Dr. Hughes advises you otherwise, particularly when multiple surgeries are performed at the same time).
3. Avoid picking anything up greater than 15 lbs the first 4 to 6 weeks.
4. No exercise for 4 to 6 weeks.
5. No sitting for more than 30 minutes for the first 6 weeks. After 30 minutes, stand up and take a short break from sitting. You may then resume sitting.
6. When you are sitting, place a pillow under your thighs to elevate the buttocks and eliminate pressure on the buttocks.
7. You may not drive the first week or while you are taking pain medication. After that, it will depend on your ability to handle a car without causing any discomfort. You should wear your seatbelt at all times.
8. Do not engage in sexual activity at least 4 to 6 weeks after your surgery.
9. No smoking. This will interfere with your healing and the fat may not live.

DIET

1. Eat light for the first 24 hours. Clear liquids advancing to a regular diet as tolerated.
2. Patients are instructed to eat 100 grams of protein each day. If there is any doubt as to the consumption, please obtain the necessary protein from protein shakes. Premier Protein shakes contain 30 grams of protein and only 160 calories. 3 shakes a day with balanced meals should be sufficient to meet these requirements. Protein intake is essential to prevent healing complications like incisions opening and you must follow these instructions.
3. If you have persistent nausea, stick to a bland diet until it subsides.
4. Avoid foods that can cause a lot of gas. This can cause abdominal distention and undue discomfort. Small frequent meals are best.
5. The pain medicine may cause constipation. Drink plenty of fluids. You may take any over-the-counter laxatives or stool softeners as needed.

DRESSINGS

1. You will have an abdominal binder over your abdominal dressings. Change dressings as needed. YOU SHOULD WEAR THE BINDER 24-7 FOR 6 WEEKS, ONLY REMOVE FOR SHOWERING.
2. It is normal to have numbness in the surgical sites for several weeks or months.
3. Do not use a heating pad or ice around the surgical sites. It could cause a burn.
4. You may place new dressings if they become saturated and put on the same garment as instructed, making sure to secure it.