Thighplasty
Thighplasty, also known as a thigh lift, removes extra skin and fat from the thighs to create smoother, firmer, and more toned-looking legs. Many patients consider a thigh lift after significant weight loss or when the skin becomes loose or less firm with age. Dr. Parham Mafi performs it in Fresno, California.
Book a consultationWhat is
Thighplasty?
Thighplasty, also known as a thigh lift, removes extra skin and fat from the thighs to create a firmer, more defined, and more toned appearance. Many patients consider a thigh lift after significant weight loss or when the skin becomes loose or less firm with age.
At Mafi Plastic Surgery, every thigh lift is tailored to your individual needs and goals. Dr. Mafi will consider your body shape, the amount of loose skin and extra fat, and the areas you would like to improve to create a treatment plan designed to give you a natural-looking result.
During your consultation, Dr. Mafi will talk with you about your concerns and goals, review your medical history, and examine your thighs. He will look at your skin's firmness, the amount and location of excess fat, and your overall body shape. The goal is to remove the right amount of extra skin while placing the incisions as discreetly as possible.
Thigh lift surgery is performed under general anesthesia. Dr. Mafi removes extra skin and fat and reshapes the remaining tissue to create a firmer, more defined appearance. In some cases, liposuction may be added to remove extra fat and further improve the shape of the thighs.
Recovery is different for everyone, but most patients can return to light activities within a few weeks. Swelling, bruising, and some discomfort are normal and gradually improve as you heal. Some itching may also occur as the incisions heal, especially because of their location. Strenuous exercise and heavy lifting should be avoided for several weeks, and you will wear a compression garment as instructed to help reduce swelling and support healing.
As the swelling goes down, your thighs will look firmer, more defined, and more toned. Your results will continue to improve over the following months as your body finishes healing.
A thigh lift is mainly designed to remove loose, excess skin. If you also have extra fat in the area, liposuction may be added to remove the fat and further improve the shape of your thighs. Your skin and the amount and location of excess fat will be evaluated to determine the best approach for you.
The location of the incision depends on how much loose skin needs to be removed and your individual goals. The incision is carefully planned to provide the desired result while keeping the scar as discreet as possible. Your incision placement will be discussed with you before surgery.
This is one of the most common reasons patients choose a thigh lift. Significant weight loss can leave extra skin on the thighs that does not tighten on its own. Exercise can strengthen the muscles underneath, but it cannot remove excess skin. A thigh lift removes this extra skin to create a firmer, more defined appearance.
Most patients can return to light activities within a few weeks. Strenuous exercise and heavy lifting should wait until you are cleared by your surgeon. You will wear a compression garment as instructed to help reduce swelling and support healing. Your thighs will continue to heal over the following months as swelling gradually improves.
Am I a candidate for thighplasty?
When the weight came off and the skin did not follow.
Every plan follows an in-person assessment of skin elasticity, fat distribution, and body proportion. Thighplasty may be worth discussing if:
Loose Skin After Weight Loss
Significant weight loss left thigh skin that has not retracted.
Sagging or Wrinkled Skin
Skin laxity through the thigh from aging or from genetics.
Excess Fat on the Thigh
Fullness you would like reduced along with the loose skin.
A Smoother Contour
You want more youthful, smoother contours through the thigh.
A More Toned Appearance
You want your thighs to look firmer, more defined, and more toned.
Comfort in Clothing
Excess skin affects how clothing fits and how you feel in it.
Freedom in Activity
Loose skin gets in the way of physical activities you enjoy.
Common questions about thighplasty
You can usually return to light activities within a few weeks. Strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, and activities that put pressure on the incisions should wait until your incisions have healed and Dr. Mafi gives you clearance to return to these activities.
When can I exercise after a thigh lift?
You can usually return to light activities within a few weeks. Strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, and activities that put pressure on the incisions should wait until your incisions have healed and Dr. Mafi gives you clearance to return to these activities.
Smoother,
Firmer Thighs
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Mafi to talk through what a thigh lift would involve for you, from how much skin is there to where the incision would sit.
Prefer to talk? Call (559) 890-6500.
Medically reviewed by Parham Mafi, M.D., F.A.C.S., board-certified plastic surgeon at Mafi Plastic Surgery. This page is for education and is not a substitute for a personalized medical consultation.
Last medically reviewed August 2026Updated