What Is a Thigh Lift?

If you’re self‑conscious about your lower body appearance, you may want to consider thigh lift plastic surgery with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Sonya Merriman at her plastic surgery center in Valdosta, Georgia. This procedure is intended to produce tighter, more attractive skin on the thighs and buttocks with improved contours. It’s also intended to decrease irregularities in the skin’s surface. Thigh lift plastic surgery with Dr. Merriman can be particularly effective after significant weight loss.

Woman in nude bodysuit sitting on floor in studio pose.

Are You a Good Candidate for a Thigh Lift in Valdosta, GA?

You may also be a candidate for thigh lift plastic surgery with Dr. Merriman if you have experienced a loss of skin elasticity in the thigh, hip, or buttock areas. Thigh lift plastic surgery may also be appropriate if the skin in your thighs is sagging or has a flabby or dimpled appearance.

If the skin of the inner thigh sags or is droopy, a thigh lift is ideal, as it will tighten the skin and smooth the inner thigh contour. Patients who have lost a lot of weight are also ideal candidates for an inner thigh lift, often done in combination with other cosmetic surgery procedures.

Sculpting the Lower Body

Patients in the Plantation Trace, South Georgia, and North Central Florida region have chosen thigh lift plastic surgery with Dr. Merriman for many different reasons, including the following:

  • To remove excess thigh skin after weight loss
  • To eliminate wrinkles, folds, and excess fat in the thigh area
  • To enhance comfort when wearing clothes
  • Improved self-esteem and confidence
  • To obtain a tighter, smoother contour of the thigh and buttock skin

As with any other surgical procedure, body lifts require incisions. Incision length and pattern depend on the amount and location of excess skin to be removed. In many cases, Dr. Merriman can place incisions in strategic locations where most types of clothing and swimwear can hide them.

Banner media

Your Guide To Thigh Lift

Contact us media

Schedule a Consultation

Contact us media

Personal Consultation

During your personal consultation, Dr. Merriman will discuss your questions and concerns with you. It is Dr. Merriman’s goal to build trust and rapport with each patient. 

Dr. Merriman will explain all the details of a thigh lift plastic surgery procedure. She will discuss the options available to you for this procedure, which can greatly enhance the shape of the thigh and buttocks.

The PSAV Difference

As a board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Merriman utilizes the safest, most advanced cosmetic and reconstructive surgical procedures available. She will always work as a partner with you to achieve the result you are hoping for. Dr. Merriman brings more than 30 years of surgical experience to every thigh lift performed at our practice, backed by board certification from the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

Your procedure will be performed in our own QUAD A-accredited surgical suite, which is state-licensed and Medicare-certified, so your care never leaves our hands. Dr. Merriman takes particular care with incision placement, positioning them in locations that can easily be concealed by clothing and swimwear, while prioritizing a natural, proportional result over a dramatically altered look.

Pricing Your Procedure

The cost of your thigh lift in Valdosta, GA, will depend on the following factors:

  • Surgical complexity
  • Whether one or both thighs are being operated on
  • Extent of correction and amount of skin removed
  • Whether additional procedures will be performed in the same session 

We'll provide a complete, itemized quote during your consultation, along with financing options to help make your procedure more manageable.

Banner media

What to Expect From Your Thigh Lift in Valdosta, GA

Thigh lift surgery begins with careful incision placement planning based on the amount and location of your excess skin. During the procedure, Dr. Merriman will remove the excess skin, tighten the underlying tissue, and smooth the new contour before closing the incisions with small sutures. Depending on the extent of your procedure, surgery may be performed under general anesthesia or IV sedation, and the length of your treatment will vary based on how much correction is needed.

stack of books

Patient-First Recovery

The first two weeks following your thigh lift are the most important for healing, as swelling needs to be carefully managed and incisions given time to close properly. 

You'll likely experience some bruising, tightness, and discomfort, which can be managed with prescribed medication. Compression garments help support the treated area and reduce swelling during early recovery, and most patients can return to normal daily activities within a few weeks. Your final results become more visible over the following months as swelling fully resolves. We’ll provide you with a customized recovery plan that’s tailored to your body’s needs. 

Types of Thigh Lifts

Not every patient needs the same extent of correction, which is why thigh lift surgery comes in more than one form. Here, we offer the following options to ensure your thigh lift avoids overcorrection:

  • Inner thigh lift, focused on tightening the inner thigh only
  • Outer thigh lift, addressing the outer thigh and hip area
  • Medial thigh lift, extending from the groin toward the knee
Banner media

Completing Your Transformation 

Many of our patients in Tifton, Waycross, Albany, and Valdosta opt to incorporate a thigh lift into a comprehensive body contouring plan, combining multiple procedures for a full-body lift. Complementary treatments include the following:

  • Liposuction
  • Tummy tuck
  • Mommy Makeover
  • Brazilian butt lift 

During your initial consultation, Dr. Merriman will review your options and advise you on which procedures are safe to combine and aligned with your aesthetic goals.

Thigh Lift Frequently Asked Questions

Will a thigh lift leave visible scarring?

Incisions are placed strategically in areas that can typically be hidden by clothing and swimwear, and scars generally fade significantly over 12-18 months. Dr. Merriman will review scar care instructions during your recovery.

Does a thigh lift also improve the appearance of cellulite?

A thigh lift primarily addresses loose, sagging skin rather than cellulite, though the smoother contour can make some dimpling less noticeable. Dr. Merriman can discuss additional treatments if you’re concerned about cellulite along the thighs.

How long should I wait after weight loss before getting a thigh lift?

Most surgeons recommend waiting until your weight has been stable for several months to a year before pursuing surgery. This helps ensure your results last and reduces the chance of needing a revision later.

When can I resume exercise after a thigh lift?

Light walking is typically encouraged in the first week to support circulation, but strenuous exercise should be delayed for four to six weeks or longer. Dr. Merriman will give you a personalized timeline based on your healing progress.

Confidence starts with a conversation.

Meet with us and discover a clinic where we focus on creating natural-looking results in every procedure.

Contact us media
This field is required.
This field is required.
This field is required.
This field is required.
This field is required.
Submit

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy(opens in a new tab) and Terms of Service(opens in a new tab) apply.

Accessibility: If you are vision-impaired or have some other impairment covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act or a similar law, and you wish to discuss potential accommodations related to using this website, please contact our Accessibility Manager at (229) 471-0525.
Contact Us