Inner Thigh Lift

This surgery is often requested by both men and women of any age, commonly as a result of weight loss, but the condition may be related to any source that leaves wrinkles and folds of skin specifically at the inner thighs.

This condition is very disturbing to patients, and I understand this issue. I can help you with it.

Patients are focused on wrinkles, folds, cellulite, and excess fat that are mostly in the inner thighs but can extend down to the knees. Excess in the anterior and outer thighs and knees may also be affected but must be dealt with separately. Patients may have an excess of fat and folds elsewhere in the body, but not uncommonly this is the only area affected. The anatomic features that contribute to this condition are basically just excess and loose hanging skin. There may also be some degree of excess fat. The underlying muscles and bones are fine. There is laxity in the ligaments that course from the muscles to the skin to support these areas. The relationship between the amount of excess skin, skin elasticity, vectors of laxity, and excess fat is what determines the surgical intervention and incisions. I tell patients to use the pinch test; if you can pinch up a lot of skin and fat along the groin crease, this is what I will remove with surgery. Also, if there is a lot of laxity that you can pinch up along the inner thigh on a line from the groin down to the knee, then you will need an incision there as well. Otherwise, the incision is usually confined to the groin crease where I remove a crescent of skin. I will coordinate all of these features of your anatomy with your expectations, formulate a plan with you, and guide you through this process. The surgery involves some liposuction, and then making incisions in concealed areas, such as in the underwear lines, and then creating a space to loosen any retaining ligaments, pulling the edges together at just the right tension, trimming the excess, and closing up the incisions. The surgery is mostly comfortable because it is essentially a surface surgery, and I do not cut through things that hurt like muscles, tendon, and bone. Surgery involves a general anesthetic and an overnight stay in the hospital and is performed where I do surgery, which is in a hospital setting using an experienced MD anesthesiologist. The surgery is safe and predictable. There is some pain and swelling after surgery, but this is not severe or prolonged. The stitches are all dissolvable, and you can return to activity and some work in as little as seven to ten days and to some physical exercise in the third week.

The surgical procedure and results of the inner thigh lift depend on your anatomy, the specific area involved, the amount of excess skin, and the vectors of laxity. Collectively, these features all determine where the incisions need be made, how long the incisions will be, and how much tissue will be removed.

I have great expertise at inner thigh lifting procedures, and I have performed many of these operations over the years with very natural results. I spend a great deal of time discussing your anatomy, listening to your expectations, and interpreting for you what your anatomy and tissues will safely and predictably allow me to do. In addition I consider your body as a whole, and I build a system into all inner thigh lift surgeries that, initially, allows you to recover much more quickly and, secondly, preserves your surgical results. This system includes a special diet, special attention to blood clotting, vitamins, supplements, special garments, skin products, physical training, and knowing what to avoid. Together all of this allows me to create results that are consistently very beautiful, quick to heal, and exceptionally natural. I use minimal incisions. I am delighted to surgically provide you with such a profound yet natural body-image change, one that has so consistently pleased my patients and changed their lives.

For further information we invite you to review Dr. Romano’s article on body contouring in the Educational Articles section of the website.