Thigh Lift

Thighplasty is also known as the full thigh lift or thigh lift. This procedure aims to improve the contour of the thighs (upper legs). During thigh lift, the surgeon removes excess fat and skin from the thigh to create a tighter and smoother appearance. The skin along the full length of your thigh, down to the knee is tightened. Sagging skin near the inside of the knees can also be corrected with it. Because even around the knees, skin can droop and fat can accumulate. This can be eliminated with thighplasty.

The medial thigh lift, also known as medial thigh lift, focuses on improving the inner thighs. During this procedure, the surgeon removes excess skin and fatty tissue on the medial side of the thigh, resulting in a slimmer and tighter profile. As a result, you will notice, for example, that trousers fit nicer and better. Moreover, it also offers functional benefits, as it makes the legs rub less against each other while walking.

The lateral thigh lift, also known as lateral thigh lift, targets the outside of the thighs. Indeed, this is a problem area where excess fat and loose skin quickly become visible. During the procedure, excess skin and fatty tissue is removed from the sides, creating a tighter and better-shaped silhouette of your thighs.

Sagging skin on the upper legs due to age or after weight loss can be corrected by the plastic surgeon with a thigh lift, also known as an upper leg lift.

An upper thigh lift is a surgical procedure that removes wrinkled, excess sagging skin and sometimes fat from the thighs. This treatment improves the silhouette of your thighs and tightens and smoothens the skin. This procedure is very popular, especially if the skin has become saggy or sagging due to weight loss, ageing or genetic predisposition.

There are different types of thigh lifts, depending on the area to be treated:

1. Medial thigh lift: This mainly targets the inner thighs. This is a popular procedure for people who suffer from excess skin on the inner thighs.
2. Upper thigh lift or Thigh lift: This involves tightening the inside of your thighs.
3. Lateral thigh lift: This involves tightening the outside of your thighs.

Are your legs a bit fuller, and do you also suffer from drooping skin in the process? It may be ideal for you to combine liposuction and thigh lift. Exactly how this is set up varies from person to person. For example, you may suffer from fat accumulation on the outside of your thighs, while you want the thigh lift performed medially (inside) - or vice versa. During a personal consultation, the doctor will tell you whether the combination of techniques makes sense. Preview liposuction legs before and after photos here.

When you have a thigh lift done, it's a shame if your legs are still marked by blemishes, such as varicose veins (varices legs). Fortunately, we can remove varicose veins with various forms of laser therapy and sclerosing treatments, both small and large varicose veins. You will be advised on this during the consultation.

The thigh lift in its various forms can be chosen by both women and men. At Wellness Kliniek, however, we see the procedure more often in women, as they are more likely to suffer from loose skin around the thighs and knees. Men, therefore (from a genetic and hormonal point of view), are less likely to suffer from this. However, a thigh lift can help women and men anyway if you have lost a lot of weight, as loose skin often remains. General signs of age also cause loose skin on the thighs in both women and men. Furthermore, the thigh lift is also done as part of the full mommy makeover or in combination with abdominoplasty after losing weight.

1. Medial thigh lift, also called mini thigh lift, or inner thigh lift.

This is the least invasive thigh lift option, suitable for people who only want to have slight sagging skin and fatty deposits (between the thighs) corrected, at the top of the legs between the thighs. Sometimes the thighs rub against each other. A mini thigh lift or medial thigh lift may then be a good option.

Scar: relatively small and hidden in the groin crease.

2. Thigh lift, also called thighplasty or total thigh lift.

Focuses on lifting the skin on the inside of the thighs (upper legs). This procedure is the most popular thigh lift procedure at Wellness Kliniek and suitable for people with sagging, wrinkled skin on the inner thighs, especially after weight loss or simply due to ageing. The plastic surgeon makes a vertical incision from the groin to near the knee, along the inside of your thighs. This lift can make your thighs look significantly slimmer and the skin smoother, but you have to expect more visible scars.

Scar: in the groin crease, running vertically along the inside of your thighs, towards the knee.

3. Lateral thigh lift, also called outer thigh lift .

This thigh lift targets the outer part of the thighs and hips. A lateral thigh lift is often combined with other contouring procedures after weight loss, such as abdominoplasty.

Scar: On the outer side of your thighs.

The full thigh lift can be especially useful for people who are experiencing drooping skin after weight loss or due to ageing. The procedure can also help improve the overall proportions of the body and boost a patient's self-confidence. A thigh lift is a good choice if you are dissatisfied with sagging skin on the inside or outside of your thighs and knees.

However, it is important to start this treatment with the right expectations. You will discuss the exact position of your scar and the details of the surgery and recovery with your surgeon beforehand. The plastic surgeon will look at the options and discuss with you how to achieve the best results.

You are eligible for a thigh lift if you have enough excess skin around the thighs. Skin loses elasticity after weight loss, pregnancy or simply due to ageing. Women in menopause often experience it. Then the skin of the thigh often becomes too saggy, wrinkled and uneven. You may find that excess skin aesthetically and/or functionally uncomfortable. After all, the skin between your legs can chafe when you walk. It also no longer looks so pretty in a swimming costume. A thigh lift could then be a solution.

In principle, you can have a thigh lift done at any age, provided you are in generally good shape to undergo the procedure. At Wellness Kliniek, we mainly receive women aged between 40 and 65 for the thigh lift procedure. Sagging, excess skin is common because skin elasticity starts to noticeably decrease in this age group due to ageing and hormonal changes.

Younger women, aged between 30 and 40, sometimes have a thigh lift (thigh lift) performed after losing a lot of weight, such as after pregnancy or intensive weight-loss programmes. Although the skin may still be fairly elastic at this stage, a thigh lift may be necessary to remove excess skin and fat that will not go away with exercise and diet alone.

Women between the ages of 65 and 75 are also good mostly candidates and feel fitter and more beautiful after a thigh lift.

Men, of all ages, who have lost a lot of weight, opt for a thigh lift if they have a lot of excess skin.

In a thigh lift, the surgeon usually makes an incision in the groin and/or along the inside of the thigh to remove excess skin. The skin is then tightened and re-stitched for a smoother and tighter appearance. The surgery helps correct sagging skin, often after weight loss, yo-yo dieting or due to ageing.

A thigh lift or thigh plasty and other treatments on your upper leg are performed under sleep anaesthesia or narcosis. These procedures are usually done in a day hospitalisation, so you can go home in the evening. In some cases, however, you will stay one night at the Wellness Kliniek.

In a thigh lift, the surgeon only removes skin and subcutaneous tissue on your thigh. Sometimes the surgeon will combine a thigh lift with liposuction legs or liposculpture legs. Both procedures are then usually done during one operation. During a no-obligation consultation, you will hear more about the specific procedure that will give the best results for your body.

The result of a thigh lift is usually visible immediately after the surgery, but the final result after thigh lift is only fully manifested after several months. Immediately after surgery, in the first weeks after treatment, there may still be swelling and bruising, which can temporarily affect the visible result. Usually, the final result stabilises after 3 to 6 months, when the skin has adjusted to your new contours and healing is complete.

Yes, thigh lift results are usually permanent, provided you maintain a stable weight and a healthy lifestyle. However, natural ageing and weight fluctuations can affect the skin and contours of your body over time. However, a healthy lifestyle and a stable weight help to maintain the result thigh lift for as long as possible.

Yes, a thigh lift leaves scars because the surgeon has to make an incision to remove excess skin and shape the thighs. The location and size of the scars depend on the type of thigh lift: for an inner thigh lift, the scar is often located in the groin or along the inside of the thigh. Although scars fade over time, they usually remain visible. However, they are strategically placed to be as discreet as possible.

The size and placement of the scar will be discussed with you in advance, during the no-obligation consultation, so that you can still decide whether the procedure suits you. Of course, the surgeon will always operate in such a way that the scars are minimal. Over time, the scars will fade.

A lumpy, red scar or bad scar after thigh lift can be caused by keloid formation. Keloid formation after thigh lift is not the result of bad surgery or the surgeon's fault. Keloids are abnormal scars that grow outside the boundaries of the original wound, and they are caused by an excessive reaction of your own body during the healing process. Some people are genetically more prone to bad scarring or keloid formation, especially those with darker skin. It is difficult to predict. So keloids or a lumpy scar is normally due to your own skin type and the healing process, not to the quality of the procedure itself.

Keep in touch with your surgeon and come for regular (free) check-up consultations. Only after the scar has fully matured (usually only after 18 months) can additional treatment be started to improve the scar. Keloids can be treated with corticosteroid injections, silicone gel or patches, laser therapy, or surgical removal possibly combined with radiotherapy. These treatments help to make the scar less visible. Consultation with your doctor is important to choose the best approach.

After thigh lifts, you should avoid physical exertion, wear compression garments to reduce swelling, and take careful care of the wound to prevent infection. Limit leg movements in the first few weeks to protect sutured wounds.

After surgery, you will be given personalised aftercare instructions specific to your treatment. It is very important that someone comes to pick you up, as you are not allowed to drive yourself. Also, make sure you are not alone for the first 24 hours.

After the procedure, you will be given compression garments or an elastic gaine. A compression bandage promotes healing. You will wear it, day and night, for 2 to 6 weeks. The elastic compression bandage gives support and it feels comfortable.

Try not to put pressure on the scars. The stitches on the outside can usually be removed after a dozen days. From then on, you may shower with lukewarm water but still not take a bath. The subcutaneous sutures dissolve on their own.

After 2 weeks, you can resume light activities. Exercise is fine, as long as it remains comfortable and you avoid tension on the scar. After 6 to 8 weeks, you may resume sports.

No, not right away. This is because the scar must remain dry. Our doctors recommend waiting 10 days before showering until the wound is closed, to avoid infection. Of course, you may wash with a wet flannel, as long as you make sure the wound stays dry.

Once you are allowed to shower again, it is important to pat the wound dry with a towel for the first 4-6 weeks and not soak it under direct water.

After a thigh lift, it is therefore best to wait 4 to 6 weeks before taking a bath again. After about 6 to 8 weeks, you may also return to swimming.

Working after a thigh lift is possible after about 2 to 3 weeks, provided the work is lighter. For physical jobs, we often recommend a recovery period of 4 to 6 weeks. However, it will depend on exactly how the procedure was performed. You will receive the specific expectations and aftercare rules from your doctor.

Light sports can often be resumed after 2 to 3 weeks, but team sports, intense training or heavy exercise should usually be avoided for 6 to 8 weeks after surgery. After a week, however, you may try if you can already do some walking (unless otherwise recommended). Such walking is often even good for circulation.

Contact your doctor immediately if you experience severe pain, swelling, bleeding or other unusual symptoms. Even if you have doubts and concerns, you can also contact your surgeon directly at the number given to you after surgery. We are available to you 24/7 until full recovery.

A medical indication or medical necessity for a thigh lift is often given when there is severe excess skin or drooping skin after weight loss, which can lead to physical discomfort or skin problems such as infections. In addition, a thigh lift may be considered in patients with significant fat deposits that do not respond to diet and exercise. A consultation with a plastic surgeon is necessary to assess the suitability for the procedure based on individual medical needs. If there is Medical Indication (Medical Necessity), this will be addressed during the consultation. In case of Medical Indication, you do not pay VAT and save 21% on the thigh lift price.

If you would like to have your thighs lifted without surgery, and exercise does not offer sufficient relief in your situation, the surgeon can look at your body's options during a no-obligation consultation. However, a thigh lift without surgery does not give the same results as a surgical thigh lift.

Lifts can often only be done by removing excess, stretched skin. Non-surgical thigh lift treatments exist to give the skin a (subtle) lifting effect, or make it appear tighter. These non-invasive treatments such as radiofrequency, laser therapy, ultrasound techniques or creams can tighten and smooth the skin, though. For milder skin laxity, they can give results, but the effects are temporary and more subtle. However, lifting without surgery is less effective than surgical lifting, such as thigh lift, arm lift or facelift.

If performed professionally, a thigh lift fortunately poses few dangers. However, the risk of infection and poor scarring is always present, so follow the aftercare rules as closely as possible. Other complications may include bleeding, thrombosis, (temporary) nerve damage and numbness.

A failed thigh lift means that the results do not meet the doctor's or patient's expectations or if complications arise, such as asymmetry, visible scarring, persistent swelling, infection or necrosis. Sometimes excess skin remains or an irregular skin texture or an unsightly scar develops. Therefore, it is not a fault of the surgeon. Complications just happen and you have to take them into account, because unfortunately the outcome of healing cannot always be predicted. In such cases, restorative surgery may be necessary to improve the problems or aesthetic results.

After a surgical procedure, such as a thigh lift, it is usually recommended to wait at least 12 to 18 months before undergoing a restorative procedure. This gives your body enough time to fully heal and allow any swelling and scarring to subside, giving the surgeon a better idea of the final result and what exactly needs to be corrected. Always consult with your surgeon to determine the ideal time for a corrective procedure.

If asymmetry is present in the legs or skin before the thigh lift, it can affect the final results, even if the surgery was technically well performed . Asymmetry of the scar or legs after surgery is usually not a fault of the surgeon, but rather the result of the original differences in leg or skin structure. It is important to discuss this pre-existing asymmetry with the surgeon beforehand to have realistic expectations about the outcome.

For a thigh lift, you can expect your sagging skin and excess skin on the inside or outside of your thighs to be addressed. After the procedure, the skin will be tighter, making your legs look firmer and smoother, but there will also be scarring, usually along the inside of the thighs. The results are usually permanent.

The scars fade gradually over time, while the final result becomes visible after 12 to 18 months, when you have fully healed. View thigh lift after photos to get a good idea of the beautiful effect of this procedure.

Experiences with a thigh lift at Wellness Kliniek are generally very positive, with patients very happy with the aesthetic results, such as tighter and slimmer legs.

Wellness Kliniek has won awards for excellent patient experiences for several years. We receive patients from all over the world. We advise you to read other patients' experiences at our thigh lift reviews, so you can get a good idea of what other patients think. Anyway, reading thigh lift experiences and reviews is a good choice if you want to compare clinics and consider whether the procedure suits you.

Wellness Kliniek is among the best clinics for a thigh lift in the Netherlands, Belgium and Spain. Wellness Kliniek is known for their years of experience and highly qualified plastic surgeons, combining modern techniques for optimal aesthetic results and recovery.

Wellness Kliniek prides itself on positive patient experiences and offers ISO 9001 guarantee, the international label for quality. When comparing clinics for thigh lift, pay attention to the ISO 9001 guarantee, surgeons' qualifications and patient experiences.

It is also important that you can always book a no-obligation consultation for personal advice. At Wellness Kliniek, we stand for transparency and are happy to tell you about thigh lift options for your body before you tie the knot for the procedure.