Plastic surgery
Body contour

Thigh lift

A thigh lift, or cruroplasty is a surgical technique for improving the contour of the thighs. It is usually performed in patients who have had a significant weight loss. Their excess skin causes discomfort or makes them look older. In a thigh lift, excess tissue is removed and liposuction performed.
Thigh lift reduces excess skin on the inner thigh, but it is not a slimming or liposculpture technique. Candidates for thigh lift are, for example, patients who have undergone gastric surgery or who have had a gastric balloon inserted, and who may have lost a large amount of weight in a very short time. The skin in this area is very thin and does not have much capacity to retract, so it needs to be reduced surgically.
Thigh lift may also be necessary in patients who have had liposculpture or liposuction on the thighs, significantly reducing the volume. Thigh lift eliminates excess skin in the upper and inner part of the thighs, and lifts the sagging tissue of thighs and buttocks, thus significantly improving the body contour.

What does thigh lift surgery involve, and what is the recovery period like?

The surgery is performed under general and/or regional anaesthesia and usually lasts 2-3 hours.
The thigh lift scar is located on the inner face of the groin, in some cases extending to the thighs. This means that in normal circumstances the scar is hidden. The size of the incision will be proportional to the amount of excess skin. In the postoperative period you should:
  • Take care not to exert yourself
  • Wear a compression bandage or girdle
  • Have lymphatic drainage 4 weeks after surgery
  • Have the stitches removed some time between 10 and 21 days after surgery.
  • Avoid exposure to the sun and intense physical exercise during the first 4 weeks post surgery.
  • Take an anticoagulant during the first postoperative week, because of the immobilization
  • Take an anticoagulant during the first postoperative week, because of the immobilization

During the first weeks after surgery, the thighs will be swollen. But you’ll already notice that your skin is smoother and tighter, and you’ll also an improvement in your body contour. The final results won’t be visible until 6-12 months after the intervention.

What will I achieve with a thigh lift?

  • Your thighs will be smoother, more toned and youthful-looking.
  • You’ll avoid the discomfort that excess skin can cause, such as sweating or chafing.
  • You’ll recover mobility in your everyday activities, doing sports, etc.

For more information on thigh lift surgery, contact Dr. Ruiz Castilla and her team at
the specialist thigh lift clinic in Barcelona.