What is a Thigh lift?
A thigh lift, or thighplasty, is a surgical procedure designed to remove excess skin and fat from the inner or outer thighs. This treatment is ideal for individuals seeking to restore firmer, more youthful leg contours after significant weight loss or natural aging.
A 2026 Castle Connolly Top Doctor with Ivy League training from Yale, Dr. Ricardo Rodriguez is a leading Baltimore plastic surgeon with over 30 years of experience. He attained board certification in both General Surgery and Plastic Surgery and previously served as a Faculty member at Yale Medical School, a Clinical Instructor at Johns Hopkins, and Chief of Plastic Surgery at GBMC.
His approach focuses on natural-looking results, smooth contours, and safety in every step of the process. Dr. Rodriguez is highly experienced in performing thigh lifts for high BMI patients, providing transformative results through his accredited Lutherville-Timonium surgical center alongside Board-Certified Anesthesiologists.
There are two types of Thigh lifts:
- Inner thigh lift (aka Medial thigh lift)
- Outer thigh lift
Inner thigh lift
This surgery is often done on its own. For patients getting a Body lift, the Inner Thigh Lift is the second step.
Outer thigh lift
An Outer Thigh Lift is usually done with a Body lift, in the same operative session. It can also be combined with a Tummy Tuck, which is referred to as an Extended Tummy Tuck.
What problems does a Thigh lift address?
My thighs are sagging and I would love ballerina looking legs.
Use AI tools to summarize this page:
You may want a Thigh Lift if you have:
- Loose skin on your inner or outer thighs
- Poor skin elasticity
- Extra skin after major weight loss
A Thigh Lift tightens the skin and contours your legs, making them look longer and slimmer. It’s ideal for people who’ve lost a lot of weight.
Are You a Good Candidate?
You can check if a Thigh Lift might help by doing this test:
For the Inner thigh lift
Stand in front of a mirror. Pinch the skin on your inner thigh and lift it toward your groin. This shows what an Inner Thigh Lift can do—it tightens loose skin on the inside of your thigh.
For the Outer thigh Lift
Pinch the skin at your hip. Does it make your legs look longer and slimmer? If yes, an Outer Thigh Lift might be for you. You can also combine it with a Tummy Tuck or Buttocks lift.
How is a Thigh lift performed?
We do all Thigh Lift procedures (Inner and Outer) in our QuadA accredited and Medicare Certified surgery center in Baltimore, Maryland. The procedure takes approximately 4 hours.
Type of anesthesia
We use IV Sedation, not general anesthesia. IV Sedation helps you recover faster, with less nausea. It’s also safer for your lungs. For your safety, we only use Board-Certified Anesthesiologists.
Where Are the Incisions?
Inner thigh lift
The incision is made in the crease of your groin. We’ll mark the area while you’re standing to see how much skin needs to be removed.
Outer thigh lift
For the Outer Thigh Lift, the incision is made near your hip bone. We place it as low as possible to hide it under clothes. If you’re having a Tummy Tuck too, the incision will extend from the Tummy Tuck scar.
Closing the Incisions
We limit how much tissue we cut during surgery to avoid complications like fluid buildup. This way, most patients don’t need drains. We use dissolvable stitches and the Lockwood Technique to prevent thick scars by tightening deeper layers of skin.
Lockwood technique of wound closure
The Lockwood technique results in thinner scars and less risk of fluid buildup. For more information, see the Lockwood dissection explanation video.
This place is amazing! As well as all the staff on board were phenomenal! Also, the bonus results are magnificent!
Traci J.
What are the preoperative requirements?
Before your Thigh Lift, make sure you follow these steps:
- Your BMI (Body Mass Index) must be less than 35 kg/m2
- Don't smoke for 2 weeks before surgery
- Get a physical exam and a blood test within 30 days of surgery
- Meet with your surgeon for a pre-op appointment
- Review and sign the Informed Consent
- Fill your post-op prescriptions
- Don't eat or drink after midnight the night before surgery
What is Thigh lift Post-Op recovery like?
Recovery takes about 3-4 weeks. For the first week rest as much as possible. Here's a basic recovery plan:
plan:- Week 1: Stay in bed and only get up to go to the bathroom. Drink lots of fluids.
- Day 7: Come in for your first post-op visit to remove your compression garment and pads.
- Weeks 1-2: Keep wearing the compression garment, but don’t sit for long periods.
- Week 3: No driving, but you can do light activities.
- Weeks 3-4: Return to work.
- Week 6: You can resume all regular activities.
What are the risks and possible complications?
As with any surgery, a Thigh Lift comes with some risks. These are usually minor, solved in the office, and go away with time. They include:
- Infection
- Poor wound healing
- Skin loss
- Numbness
- Wound separation
- Sutures showing through the skin
- Asymmetry
You might need a small follow-up procedure to fix any of these issues.
Complications and Revisions
A study found that 68% of patients who had a Thigh Lift after major weight loss experienced complications. Most of these issues were minor, like fluid buildup or wound separation, which can lead to seromas and hematomas.
Since 2006, I’ve done 90 Inner Thigh Lifts and hundreds of Outer Thigh Lifts, with a revision rate of less than 10%, which is lower than average.
The most common minor complications with the Thigh Lift are fluid accumulation and wound separation.
How much does a Thigh lift cost?
The price of a Thigh Lift depends on how much skin needs to be removed and the time spent in surgery.
The Total cost of a Thigh lift includes the surgeon's fee, operating room fee, anesthesia fee, and post-operative garments.
Thigh Lift costs for 2026 in my Baltimore Surgery Center
| Type of Thigh lift | 2026 Thigh Lift Price |
|---|---|
| Inner thigh lift | $7,500 - $10,500 |
| Outer thigh lift (as an add-on to a Tummy tuck) | $4,600 |
| Outer thigh lift only | $8,000 - $9,000. |
From beginning to end... had a very good experience. Staff was extremely helpful and knowledgeable before and after surgery.
Valerie R.
Can I finance my Thigh lift?
Yes, financing options are available to help manage the cost of your thigh lift. Call us at 410-404-8100 or see our financing page for more information.
Why Patients Choose Dr. Rodriguez for Thigh Lift Surgery
With over 30 years of experience and a legacy of academic leadership, Dr. Ricardo Rodriguez helps patients from Baltimore, Towson, and Columbia achieve smoother, more athletic leg contours.
- Elite National Recognition: Named a 2026 Castle Connolly Top Doctor—a distinction awarded to only the top 7% of physicians nationwide—and recognized as a U.S. News & World Report “Patients’ Top Choice” for Plastic Surgery.
- Expertise in Body Contouring: Known for a meticulous, personalized approach to removing loose skin after significant weight loss, ensuring smooth, natural-looking results.
- Dual-Residency Foundation: Attained board certification in both General Surgery and Plastic Surgery, providing a foundation of surgical precision and safety.
- Board Certified & ASPS Member: A Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon and active member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).
- Surgical Artistry: Dr. Rodriguez brings a personalized approach to every thighplasty, focusing on hidden incisions and contours that harmonize with your unique proportions.
- Anesthesia Safety: Prioritizes safety through IV sedation with Board-Certified Anesthesiologists; this technique avoids the need for a ventilator for a safer and more comfortable experience.
- Direct Surgeon Access: Every patient receives direct access to Dr. Rodriguez’s cell phone post-surgery for personalized care and immediate support.
- Trilingual Care: Fully fluent in English, Spanish, and French, helping patients from all backgrounds feel comfortable and understood throughout their journey.
Ready to explore what's possible?
BOOK A COURTESY CONSULT TODAY!
Dr. Rodriguez speaks English, Spanish, and French to ensure every patient feels understood and supported. We look forward to helping you look and feel your best,
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Board Certified Plastic Surgery, ASPS Member
NOTICE
Patients depicted in our before and after galleries have provided their written consent to display their photos online. Every patient is unique, and surgical results may vary. Please contact us if you have any questions.