What Are Thigh and Body Lifts?
Losing a significant amount of weight is a tremendous accomplishment, but all too often, men and women near their goal weight are unable to showcase their slimmer figure when sagging skin and pockets of residual fat hide their true weight loss success.
A board-certified plastic surgeon and body contouring specialist with over 25 years of experience, Dr. Francesco Campanile offers thigh lifts and lower body lifts for men and women in and near the Denver area who’d like to improve the appearance of their lower body. In addition to providing a sleeker look, thigh and body lifts can also be the best option to improve your day-to-day comfort by helping you fit into the right clothing size and improving chafing or other skin issues.
Dr. Campanile knows that weight loss is an incredible achievement and he has great respect for those who’ve worked hard to lose weight. He understands that the journey isn’t complete until you can finally be rid of the extra skin and fatty tissue that can serve as a reminder of your former self. Thigh and body lift surgery can be your best approach to reveal lean, smooth contours that help you embrace your natural body post-weight loss.
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Dr. Francesco Campanile works closely with each individual to understand their unique needs and customizes each thigh lift and body lift procedure to ensure natural-looking results.
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Dr. Campanile offers other cosmetic options that can fine-tune the figure after weight loss, including breast enhancement procedures.
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Dr. Campanile works to place incisions in the best place possible so you can feel confident about your final outcome.
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The first step in achieving your ideal figure is scheduling your consultation with Dr. Campanile. Contact us today to get started! We look forward to helping you feel great about your body.
Ideal Candidates for a Thigh or Body Lift
Those who benefit most from a thigh and body lift are frequently patients who previously lost quite a bit of weight. However, anyone who has loose skin or fatty deposits in the lower body and thigh area may be able to benefit from this surgery.
You may be a good candidate if you:
- Are at or near your ideal weight and have maintained it for several months.
- Have excess skin on the thighs due to weight loss, aging or reduced skin elasticity.
- Are in good general health without conditions that could increase surgical risks or slow healing.
- Do not smoke or are willing to stop for several weeks before and after surgery.
- Have realistic expectations about your results.
The best way to determine if a thigh and/or body lift could be right for you is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Campanile to discuss your specific goals and concerns.
When to Consider a Thigh or Body Lift
Many women and men consider getting a thigh and/or body lift when loose skin begins to interfere with comfort, confidence or daily activities. You may consider a thigh and body lift if you have:
- Significant skin laxity after weight loss. Large or rapid weight changes can leave behind stretched skin that does not “snap back” into place on its own.
- Sagging skin due to aging. Natural decreases in collagen and elasticity can lead to drooping skin around the thighs, hips and lower body that can be difficult or impossible to address with nonsurgical treatments.
- Loose skin after pregnancy. Some of our Denver patients experience loose skin in the lower body following pregnancy that remains even after returning to a healthy weight.
- Skin irritation or hygiene issues. Overhanging skin can cause chafing, rashes or pain or discomfort during exercise and daily activities.
- Difficulty finding comfortable clothing. Excess skin around the thighs or lower body may make certain clothing fit poorly or feel restrictive.
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Thigh Lift Techniques
Dr. Campanile has ample experience performing a number of thigh and/or body lift techniques, and the right one for you will depend on your natural anatomy and goals for your final outcome. Some of the most common techniques that Dr. Campanile recommends to his Denver patients are outlined below.
Inner Thigh
Tightening and smoothing the skin on the inner thigh can improve comfort and help to keep the thighs from rubbing together during walking or other exercises. Dr. Campanile begins an inner thigh procedure by making an incision in the natural skin folds of the pubic area. He removes loose skin and fat through the incision and tightens the remaining skin for a leaner, smoother appearance. Once all the excess tissue has been removed, Dr. Campanile closes the incisions.
Outer Thigh
Thigh lift surgery of the outer thigh has a greater impact on the overall shape, dramatically improving a person’s silhouette by streamlining the area near the mid to lower body. To begin an outer thigh procedure, Dr. Campanile makes an incision in the hips or buttocks area. Excess skin and fat are removed through this incision for a younger, firmer look.
Thigh Lift with Lower Body Lift
If you’ve noticed loose skin and excess fatty tissue surrounding your hips, thighs or buttocks, a lower body lift surgery may be the right procedure for you. This procedure is ideal for men and women who have lost some amount of weight and would like to tighten up their body shape for a fitter look. In addition to the slimming effects of a body lift, excess tissue can be repositioned to augment a sagging buttocks, creating a shapelier backside.
To begin a lower body lift, Dr. Campanile makes an incision all the way around the lower torso just above the pubic region. After tissue removal, the remaining skin is repositioned and tightened. The incisions are then carefully closed and bandaged.
Mini Thigh Lift
A mini thigh lift can be ideal for people who have mild to moderate skin laxity limited to the upper portion of the inner thigh. This approach offers noticeable improvement with smaller incisions and a shorter recovery compared to a full thigh lift.
During a mini thigh lift, Dr. Campanile places a discreet incision high in the groin crease. Through this opening, he removes limited areas of excess skin and refines the underlying tissue to create a smoother, firmer upper thigh. Because the treatment area is smaller, the procedure typically involves less tissue removal and reduced downtime while still providing improved definition where many patients notice early signs of sagging.
Your Personal Consultation
Your consultation is the time for you and Dr. Campanile to discuss your goals, review your medical history and evaluate the specific areas you’d like to improve with body contouring surgery. Dr. Campanile will examine the quality of your skin, the degree of laxity and the overall proportions of your lower body to determine which surgical approach is best for you.
This is also an excellent opportunity to ask any questions you have, discuss recovery expectations and understand what kind of results are realistic based on your unique body shape and proportions.
Although thigh and body lift procedures can offer excellent results on their own, Dr. Campanile may recommend including liposuction for more comprehensive body contouring, depending on your goals.
Preparing for Your Thigh/Body Lift Procedure
It’s important to adequately prepare before coming in for a thigh and body lift. At our Denver office, we tell our patients that preparation is a crucial element of ensuring a speedy recovery and optimal results. While Dr. Campanile will provide you with detailed preparation guidelines prior to your thigh and body lift, below are some general instructions you can expect:
- Avoid nicotine use. Smoking and vaping can interfere with healing, so stopping within the recommended timeframe is crucial.
- Adjust certain medications. Dr. Campanile may ask you to temporarily stop taking blood thinners or supplements that increase bleeding risk.
- Arrange for support at home. Having help with daily tasks, childcare or transportation can make the first week or so of recovery much easier.
- Prepare your recovery space. Setting up a comfortable area with pillows, easy access to necessities and prescribed medications can help to simplify your healing process.
Your Procedure
Your procedure will be personalized based on whether you are having a thigh lift, lower body lift, or a combination of both. These procedures are performed under general anesthesia.
A thigh lift generally takes about 2 to 3 hours to complete, depending on the amount of excess skin and the specific technique used. Incisions are typically made along the inner thigh or groin area, allowing Dr. Campanile to remove excess tissue and tighten the remaining skin for smoother, more contoured legs.
A lower body lift is a more extensive procedure. Dr. Campanile usually makes a circumferential incision around the lower torso, just above the pubic region. Excess skin and tissue are removed from the abdomen, flanks and buttocks, and the remaining skin is lifted and tightened.
Whether your surgery is outpatient or requires an overnight stay depends on the extent of the procedure. Thigh lifts are often performed on an outpatient basis, while most lower body lifts require at least one night in the hospital due to their complexity.
Thigh & Body Lift FAQs
Am I a good candidate for a thigh and/or body lift?
Those who benefit most from a thigh and body lift are frequently patients who previously lost quite a bit of weight. However, anyone who has loose skin or fatty deposits in the lower body and thigh area may be able to benefit from this surgery.
Would liposuction accomplish the same goals as a body lift?
No. Although liposuction can be used to remove localized fatty deposits from nearly anywhere, including the lower body, lipo can not address the problem of loose or excess skin. The only way to really resolve that issue is through surgery that removes the excess skin and fat.
What can I expect during my lift recovery?
Following a thigh lift, patients will need to take it easy for the first week or two. Regular activity and exercise can be resumed in about a month. A body lift is more extensive, however, and patients may need to rest a bit longer before returning to their typical schedules. Both procedures require the use of a compression garment following the surgery to help promote healing.
Where are the scars for a thigh lift and lower body lift?
An inner thigh procedure will place the incision hiding in the natural skin folds of the pubic area, while the outer thigh procedure requires an incision around the hip or buttock region. During a body lift, the whole lower body is addressed, which requires incisions around the entire torso.
Do skin removal scars fade?
While scars do fade, there is no way to achieve the results you want without having some scarring. Dr. Campanile makes every effort to conceal the incision within the natural curves of the body in order to minimize the appearance of scars.
The incisions are placed so they remain inconspicuous even in revealing clothing. The majority of patients feel that achieving the silhouette they’ve always wanted is well worth the minimal scars resulting from the incisions.
How much does thigh and body lift cost in Denver?
The exact cost of a thigh or body lift in Denver will depend on the specifics of your surgery and which technique(s) will be used. For this reason, the best way to get an accurate price estimate is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Campanile. At this visit, we will be able to provide you with a customized cost, as well as discuss financing options if you are interested.
Does insurance cover skin removal surgery?
Usually not. Thigh lifts and full body lifts are typically considered cosmetic procedures, so most insurance plans won’t cover them. However, a portion of a lower body lift may be approved if excess skin is causing documented medical problems, like chronic rashes, infections or difficulty with hygiene.
Are there nonsurgical alternatives?
Nonsurgical treatments like VelaShape™ can help to tighten mild skin laxity, but they can’t remove significant excess skin. If you’re dealing with a large amount of loose skin, surgery is the only option that can provide the results you’re looking for.
Thigh & Body Lift Recovery and Results
Recovery times after a thigh and/or body lift vary based on the procedures performed. Following a thigh lift, patients will need to take it easy for the first week or two. Regular activity and exercise can be resumed in about a month. A body lift is more extensive, however, and patients may need to rest a bit longer before returning to their typical schedules. Both procedures require the use of a compression garment following the surgery to help promote healing and minimize swelling. Swelling, bruising and tightness are expected and should gradually improve over several weeks.
Dr. Campanile will provide you with detailed instructions on incision care, showering, activity restrictions and follow-up appointments. Following these guidelines closely is key to a safe, efficient recovery and the best possible results.
Your Results
You’ll begin to notice the early improvements from your thigh or body lift within the first few weeks as swelling dissipates and your new contours start to take shape. Smoother skin, a tighter figure and more balanced proportions become apparent fairly quickly, even though your final outcome is still developing.
Final thigh lift results typically develop over the next 6 months. Body lift results can take a bit longer to fully develop, sometimes taking a year or more to become fully visible. However, for both procedures, you should continue to see noticeable improvements in your body shape in the coming weeks and months.
The results of a thigh or body lift are long-lasting and can be permanent, especially when supported by a stable weight and a healthy lifestyle. While natural aging will continue, most patients enjoy their improved shape and confidence for many years to come. It is important to maintain healthy diet and exercise habits to maintain and prolong your thigh and body lift results.
Request a consultation or call us at 303-345-7476 to learn more about getting a body or thigh lift near you. Losing weight is a real celebration, and you deserve to have the body you’ve been working so hard to achieve.
Written By: Dr. Francesco Campanile
Dr. Francesco Campanile is a board-certified plastic surgeon practicing plastic surgery since 1997. He specializes exclusively in body contouring and breast enhancement procedures, including the innovative C.L.A.S.S. tummy tuck™ technique developed at his Denver clinic.
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Last Reviewed: December 2nd, 2025
