Thigh cosmetic lifts, once considered a specialized process, are becoming more and more common in the United Kingdom.
According to the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPs), the number of thigh lifting procedures increased by 24% in 2024.
The procedures are part of a broader displacement that sees more patients turning to body contour surgery to complete their weight loss journey or improve results after other procedures.
A Baaps reference also shows this rise to both facial and body surgery. While abdominal pleats and liposuction have seen moderate growth, lifting arm and eyelid surgery increased by 13%. Although facial work is still dominant, there is increasing interest in the full body outline.
Dr. Manish Sinha, a leading plastic surgeon in the United Kingdom, has seen this firsthand shift.
He said: “It’s no longer just for the belly or face. The thighs, hands, backs, all are now part of the conversation. ”
Here, Dr. Sinha collapses what the procedure includes, because demand is growing and what patients should think before committing.
What really does the thigh lift
A thigh lift, or thigh, is a surgery that removes excess skin and fat from upper legs, usually the inner thigh. It is usually recommended for people who have lost a significant weight and left with loose skin that exercise cannot resolve.
“Some people assume they are just a type of liposuction,” explains Dr. Sinha. “But it is much more involved. The recovery can take four to six weeks and patients should be prepared for limited mobility, visible scars and a fairly structured healing process.”
“The function includes incisions along the inner thigh, which may extend to the knee according to the case.
What drives demand?
Dr. Sinha believes that a mix of medical, social and cultural displacements leads to the rise of demand. “After significant weight loss or surgeries, such as abdominal pressures or arm lifts, patients often want their thighs to match the rest of their progress,” he says.
It also notes the role of weight loss drugs. “Drugs such as ozempic or monjaro can lead to rapid weight loss and leisure of the skin. In these cases, surgery is the next step to help patients feel comfortable in their new form.”
Social media add another layer. “It’s no longer just for the person’s self.
Is it right for you?
Even with increasing interest, Dr. Sinha urges patients to be realistic about what the thigh elevator entails. “This is the real surgery. We are talking about tissue removal, drains, stitches and long -term care. It’s not something to take slightly.”
It often encounters patients with unrealistic expectations. “They show me filtered photos from Instagram and say,” I want the legs like this. “But they have not considered scars, recovery time or what happens if treatment is not perfect.”
It is also not a weight loss process. “If someone still has a lot of volume on their thighs, I usually recommend waiting.
Give priority to shortcut safety
Dr. Sinha also warns not to travel abroad for cheaper surgery. “I see too many patients returning with complications, infections, open wounds and bad seams. What seems accessible at first often ends up costing much longer long -term.”
The Care Quality Committee (CQC) also has increased concerns about complications from surgery performed abroad. Patients often struggle to take proper follow -up care as soon as they return to the UK.
“A thigh lift can be transformative,” concludes Dr. Sinha. “But only when done for the right reasons, at the right time, by someone who knows what they are doing.”
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