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Thigh Lift

Tighter thighs after sagging.

Good to Know

  • Anesthesia: Procedure under general anesthesia
  • Duration: 2–3 hours
  • Recovery: 2–3 weeks
  • Price: starting at €4,300
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About a thigh lift

As a result of aging or significant weight loss, the thighs can begin to sag, especially on the inner thighs. A thigh lift removes excess skin to create smoother, firmer thighs—giving you more confidence when wearing shorts, skirts, or dresses.
  • A thigh lift is available from €4,300. During a free, no-obligation consultation, our plastic surgeon will discuss and assess which procedure suits you best, including a personal cost estimate
  • With moderate sagging, only skin below the groin-buttock fold is removed, with a scar below the bikini line. With larger abnormalities (often after significant weight loss), skin and fat are removed over the entire length of the upper leg, with a vertical scar on the inner side; this is called an extended thigh lift.
  • On average 2 to 3 weeks. In the first week you will often experience considerable muscle ache, which means you can do little. For the first six weeks you wear compression garments day and night.
  • At Boerhaave, a thigh lift is performed by experienced plastic surgeons with an eye for safety, quality and a natural result. You can count on personal guidance and comprehensive aftercare, so that you know where you stand throughout the entire treatment process.

Here's how the treatment works

Here you will find all the important information about this treatment, from the consultation and the treatment itself to follow-up care, the results, and potential risks.

  • A thigh lift significantly improves the aesthetic appearance of the upper legs. After the procedure, many people will feel more confident wearing shorts, skirts, or dresses and will therefore be able to go out in the summer feeling more comfortable in their clothes. Please keep in mind, however, that the procedure may leave visible scars on the upper thighs. These scars may be visible as a result.

    There is a possibility that both upper legs may not be completely symmetrical after the procedure. Even when working with the utmost care, we cannot provide a full guarantee against this.

    BMI

    Because a thigh lift is performed under general anesthesia, it is important that the procedure is carried out safely. For this reason, you must be at a healthy weight. Wondering if you’re at a healthy weight? Calculate your BMI here.

  • Plastic Surgeon

    The consultation always takes place with the plastic surgeon who will be treating you. During this consultation, you can explain what bothers you most about the sagging of your upper legs and what you would like to change. The plastic surgeon will review your medical history and examine your upper legs. Based on this, the surgical technique most suitable for you will be proposed and discussed with you. They will explain what this technique involves and what you can expect in terms of the final result. The differences between thigh liposuction, a thigh lift, and an extensive thigh lift will also be explained. This will allow you to make an informed decision.

    At the end, your consultation will be summarized in a treatment plan, and the associated costs will also be discussed.

    Consultant

    Following your initial consultation, you’ll have a meeting with your consultant. The purpose of this meeting is to inform you about the general procedures that need to be arranged regarding your treatment. Would you like to read more about your initial consultation? Click here.

  • A thigh lift is always performed under general anesthesia. This means you will stay overnight at the clinic and will not be allowed to go home until the next day, once the plastic surgeon and nurse deem it safe to do so.

    There are two techniques used to perform the surgery. In cases of moderate sagging of the upper thighs, it is sufficient to remove skin below the groin-buttock crease. The scar will be located below the bikini line.

    For more significant abnormalities, it is necessary to remove skin and fatty tissue along the entire length of the upper leg, up to about a hand’s width above the knee. The scar will then run vertically along the inner back of the thigh, similar to the seam of a pair of pants. We refer to this as an extensive thigh lift. This technique is often necessary following significant weight loss. If needed, the plastic surgeon will also perform liposuction during both procedures. This involves suctioning out excess fat.

    The procedure takes about 2 to 3 hours. An extensive thigh lift or a combined procedure takes an average of 3 to 3.5 hours.

  • In the first few days after surgery, you will experience a pulling pain in the skin and muscles around the treated area. The operated area will be tender, sore, and feel tight. During the first week after the thigh lift, you won’t be able to do much because significant muscle soreness will interfere with your daily activities.

    As with any surgical procedure, your body needs time to recover. The treated area will initially be bruised, tender, and swollen. The scars may also be red and raised immediately after the thigh lift. Don’t be alarmed by this; it’s a natural reaction of the body. Naturally, recovery takes longer if the thigh lift is extensive.

    The skin will feel tight for a few weeks; this is due to scar formation. Sometimes the skin may be more or less sensitive; this is a normal reaction to the surgery and will gradually subside. Swelling and bruising will slowly subside. For the first six weeks, you’ll wear compression garments day and night.

  • Although you’ll have to wait a few months before the results are truly visible, in most cases the results are long-lasting. You’ll notice that your thighs look visibly firmer.

    As a result of further sagging of skin and muscle tissue, your skin may lose elasticity as you age. However, the results will remain visible, especially if you are able to maintain a healthy and stable weight.

    Scars

    A thigh lift leaves a scar that is largely visible in the groin crease. The extended thigh lift also leaves a scar that runs vertically along the inner thigh. We aim to position this scar a hand’s width above the knee so that it is invisible when wearing shorts or a skirt. The scars will initially be red and swollen, but this will subside on its own after a few weeks. For the first few months after the thigh lift, you must not expose the scars to the sun. You also must not use a tanning bed while the scars are healing. You may, however, cover the scars or apply sunscreen with a high SPF. It’s helpful to know that a scar takes one to one and a half years to fully heal. Remember to apply the scar cream thoroughly and keep the scars out of the sun. In addition, always use sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher during the first year to protect your skin.

    During your first follow-up visit, you’ll be given a scar care cream to take home. Once the wound has closed and the scabs have fallen off, you can start applying the scar cream. By applying this to the closed wound twice a day, you’ll increase the chances of a smooth, even healing.

  • Any surgical procedure can involve risks and complications. This also applies to plastic surgery. However, the likelihood of risks and complications is lower, as the patients are generally healthy individuals. In addition, we minimize these risks to an absolute minimum through our professional approach, a thorough medical history, and comprehensive patient education. You can also help further reduce certain risks by carefully following the instructions you received beforehand.

    Possible complications may include:

    • Hematoma (a collection of blood under the skin that requires drainage)

    • Adverse reaction to the anesthetic

    • Postoperative bleeding

    • Infection

    • Changes in sensation

    • Permanent scarring

    • Damage to underlying structures

    • Unsatisfactory aesthetic result.

    Smoking

    People who are not exposed to tobacco smoke or nicotine products have a significantly lower risk of complications. If you are exposed, you have an increased risk of potential complications.

    Do you use tobacco products or nicotine products? Or are you smoking at the time of surgery? If so, you have a higher risk of complications, such as skin necrosis and impaired wound healing. It can have a negative effect on the anesthesia, potentially resulting in an increased risk of bleeding. That is why it is important to stop smoking at least four weeks in advance and to continue abstaining throughout the entire recovery process.

Results of thigh lifts in our patients

Take a look at the thigh lift results of patients who have had the procedure at our clinic. The before-and-after photos provide a realistic picture of what this treatment can achieve.

View all results

In the hands of our experienced specialists

Our team of plastic surgeons combines years of experience with personalized care.
During a consultation, we take the time to discuss your wishes and provide honest advice about the options that are right for you.

Meet Our TeamIcons
Dr. M. Enajat

How much does a thigh lift cost?

The exact price depends on the treatment that’s best for you. Because every body and every goal is different, we’ll develop a treatment plan during a personal consultation, including a clear, transparent price.

  • Thigh lift
    Procedure under general anaesthesia plus overnight stay
    €4,300
  • Extended thigh lift
    Procedure under general anaesthesia plus overnight stay
    €5,800

Experiences with a thigh lift at Boerhaave

Every patient has their own story. Read about their experiences with thigh lift surgery at Boerhaave.

Plan a free consult with a specialist

Every body is different. During a free consultation, an experienced specialist will take the time to discuss your wishes and expectations in detail. You’ll receive personalised treatment advice, a clear explanation of the process and a transparent cost estimate.

You can also easily ask Bo, our AI medical assistant, any questions you may have.

Plan your free consultAsk Bo
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Frequently Asked Questions

  • The skin structure and the presence of striae do not change as a result of the procedure. However, striae can become less noticeable through the removal of the surrounding excess skin.

  • A thigh lift is always performed under general anaesthesia. You will therefore stay one night at the clinic and may only go home the next day, once the plastic surgeon and nurse consider this responsible.

  • Yes, a thigh lift leaves a scar that is largely visible in the groin crease. With the extended version, there is also a vertical scar on the inner side of the thigh, which ideally stops a hand's width above the knee so that it is not visible when wearing shorts or a skirt.

  • After the operation, you wear supportive compression shorts day and night for the first six weeks. For this we use special VOE compression garments, made from high-quality fabrics and designed for faster recovery and wearing comfort. The right compression helps to reduce the swelling that develops after the operation, and consistently wearing the compression garments for the period indicated by the doctor is essential for the success of the procedure.

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