Inner Thigh Lift

Reshape the thighs and balance your lower body with a comprehensive thigh lift in Los Angeles. Dr. Teitelbaum’s customizable procedures aim to restore smooth, natural-looking contours after changes from pregnancy, aging, or significant weight loss.

What Is a Thigh Lift?

A thigh lift is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and carefully reshapes the full thigh to create a firmer, smoother, and more toned appearance. Typically, patients pursue a thigh lift after significant weight loss, but some consider it after aging-related skin laxity.

While a thigh lift can result in a small weight loss due to the removal of excess skin, it is not a weight-loss procedure. It’s best suited for patients who are at a stable, healthy weight.

Inner vs. Outer Thigh Lift

An inner thigh lift uses an incision in the groin to remove excess skin and cellulite from the very top of the inner thigh, but does not change anything farther down the leg. An outer thigh lift removes loose skin on the outer leg and below the buttocks, and can address skin laxity at the front of the thigh.

Depending on your anatomy and skin condition, Dr. Teitelbaum will recommend the right procedure for you or may build a customized full-thigh lift to address concerns along the circumference of the thigh.

Refreshing Your Natural Curves

While most patients pursue a thigh lift for its aesthetic benefits, the procedure can provide functional improvements that greatly enhance their quality of life. Patients can expect the following benefits from their thigh lift:

Smoother, tighter thigh contours
Reduction of excess, loose, or sagging skin
Improved leg shape and lower body proportions
Decreased skin irritation and chafing
Better fit in clothing, especially tight or structured pants
Increased confidence and comfort

Are You a Good Candidate for a Thigh Lift?

Ideal candidates for a thigh lift are healthy, non-smoking adults who fit the following criteria:

Have loose or sagging skin anywhere along the thighs
Have skin laxity from weight loss or aging
Experience excess irritation from loose skin rubbing against itself

During your initial consultation, Dr. Teitelbaum will perform a brief physical exam to ensure you’re a good fit for a thigh lift.

Why Choose Dr. Teitelbaum?

As one of the leading plastic surgeons in Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and beyond, Dr. Teitelbaum has performed hundreds of successful thigh lifts for patients at his accredited surgical center. Every patient receives a customized surgical plan, whether they’re targeting a single part of the thigh or aiming for full rejuvenation.

Leading With Clinical Excellence

Dr. Steven Teitelbaum received his doctorate from the UCLA School of Medicine, where he now serves as an Associate Clinical Professor of Plastic Surgery. After his education, he completed his residency training at Harvard University and earned dual board certifications in General Surgery and Plastic Surgery. Prior to opening his private practice in 1995, he worked in the plastic surgery wards of the LA County Hospital to further refine his skills. Over the course of his 30+ years in practice, Dr. Teitelbaum has lectured students and peers on five continents, sharing his advanced expertise and cutting-edge techniques worldwide. His research has been published in peer-reviewed journals like Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the Aesthetic Surgery Journal, and he’s earned memberships and leadership roles in the following professional organizations:

Aesthetic Surgery Education and Research Foundation, 2016-2017 President
California Society of Plastic Surgeons, Treasurer and Legislative Committee Chair
Aesthetic Surgery Education and Research Foundation, Board Member

A Patient-First Philosophy

All of Dr. Teitelbaum’s patients feel his passion for plastic surgery and thoughtful patient care from the moment they step into his practice. There, he works with a long-term team that includes a Harvard-trained anesthesiologist to design and perform safe, effective, and comprehensive surgical procedures. Every team member leads with transparency, integrity, and trust to ensure every patient looks and feels their best every step of the way.

Schedule A Consultation

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Your Confidential Consultation

To start your journey, you’ll join Dr. Teitelbaum for a one-on-one, private consultation at his Los Angeles office. There, you’ll discuss your aesthetic goals, concerns, and medical history, and Dr. Teitelbaum will evaluate the skin quality, fat distribution, and anatomy of your thighs and lower body to determine if a thigh lift is right for you. From there, he’ll begin building your customized surgical plan to address your chosen treatment areas on the thighs.

Pricing Your Procedure

Once your consultation is complete, Dr. Teitelbaum’s team will share a complete cost breakdown and financing options for total transparency.

The cost of your thigh lift in Los Angeles will depend on the following factors:

Surgical complexity and extent of correction
Whether additional procedures are performed in the same surgical session
Whether you’re getting a full thigh lift or a partial procedure, like an inner thigh lift

What to Expect From Your Thigh Lift

Your thigh lift will be performed under general anesthesia at Dr. Teitelbaum’s exclusive, accredited surgical center in Santa Monica. To start your procedure, Dr. Teitelbaum will make strategic incisions along the natural curves of the lower body to access the thigh tissue. Most often, these incisions will be hidden by the groin, underneath the buttocks, or behind the knee.

Dr. Teitelbaum takes a conservative approach to skin removal, ensuring the tissue is tightened appropriately without creating an artificial or overdone appearance. He may also reshape the underlying tissue or use liposuction to improve your leg contours and enhance your lower body balance. To finish, Dr. Teitelbaum will close all incisions with small sutures to promote rapid healing and a smooth scar.

High-Touch, Patient-Centered Recovery

Recovery after a thigh lift in Los Angeles typically involves mild swelling, bruising, and discomfort in the thighs, which should resolve within one week. You’ll need to wear compression garments during early recovery to reduce swelling and support your tissues as they heal. Your movement will be extremely limited for the first week, and most patients do not return to light daily activities, including walking, desk work, and prolonged standing, for 10-14 days. After your procedure, you’ll receive a customized recovery plan tailored to your body’s needs. This plan may include the following items:

Incision site care and cleaning protocols
Surgical drain care guidelines, if applicable
Supportive garment requirements
Hygiene recommendations
Activity limitations
Swelling and pain management strategies
Sleep position restrictions

You’ll return to Dr. Teitelbaum’s office several times over the coming weeks for follow-up appointments to monitor your healing progress. There, Dr. Teitelbaum will remove any remaining sutures or drains, evaluate your skin’s recovery, and approve you to resume exercise when appropriate. It may take several weeks for residual swelling to fade and for your final results to emerge.

Completing Your Transformation

Many patients in Los Angeles and Santa Monica include a thigh lift as part of an overarching body contouring plan. Complementary procedures include the following:

Liposuction outside of the thighs
Tummy tuck
Arm lift
Mommy Makeover

Thigh Lift FAQs

Will a thigh lift remove cellulite?

A thigh lift may approve the appearance of cellulite, particularly near the upper thigh, but it is not a dedicated cellulite procedure. If you’re concerned about cellulite, discuss your treatment options with Dr. Teitelbaum during your consultation.

How visible will my scars be?

The visibility of your scars once healed will vary by patient to patient. Dr. Teitelbaum intentionally places incisions in the natural curves of the body to camouflage them as much as possible, and scars typically fade over time.

Can I combine a thigh lift with other procedures?

Yes. Some patients opt to combine a thigh lift with an upper body contouring procedure in a single session to streamline their recovery. Dr. Teitelbaum will explain your options during your consultation.

How long will my results last?

The final results of your thigh lift are designed to be long-lasting, with most patients enjoying their outcomes for 10 years or longer. You can extend the longevity of your results by maintaining a stable weight and implementing a healthy diet and exercise routine.

References

Teitelbaum, Steven A. M.D.; Burns, John L. M.D.; Kubota, Junichiro M.D.; Matsuda, Hidenori M.D.; Otto, Morkel J. M.B.Ch.B., M.Pharm. Med., M.Phil.; Shirakabe, Yukio M.D.; Suzuki, Yoshiro M.D.; Brown, Spencer A. Ph.D. Noninvasive Body Contouring by Focused Ultrasound: Safety and Efficacy of the Contour I Device in a Multicenter, Controlled, Clinical Study. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery 120(3):p 779-789, September 1, 2007.
Teitelbaum, Steven M.D. Discussion: Clinical Implications of Gluteal Fat Graft Migration: A Dynamic Anatomical Study. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery 142(5):p 1196-1197, November 2018.