Is there anyway to stop thigh chafing? Surgical or not.

Thank you for your question about how to stop painful thigh chafing. I’m so sorry to hear how much this has affected your day-to-day life. Thigh chafing is a very real and frustrating problem, and you're not alone in dealing with it. Many people—regardless of size—experience inner thigh rubbing that can lead to raw skin, open wounds, and eventually scarring. Thankfully, there are both non-surgical and surgical options that can help you enjoy daily activities more comfortably.

From a non-surgical standpoint, some patients find relief using anti-chafing balms like Body Glide or Monistat's Chafing Relief Powder Gel. Compression-style undergarments or slip shorts (such as those from Thigh Society or Skims) can also reduce friction and are a favorite among many of my patients. However, these solutions are temporary and may not address the core of your concern.

If your chafing is caused by excess skin and/or fat on the inner thighs—often a result of genetics, prior weight loss, or stubborn fat deposits—you may be a candidate for a medial thigh lift (also called a thighplasty). A medial thigh lift removes excess skin and fat along the inner thigh and tightens the area to minimize rubbing. This procedure can dramatically improve comfort and reduce chafing, especially for patients who have tried everything else without relief. Liposuction alone may also be an option if your skin has good elasticity and the primary concern is excess fat rather than loose skin. However, if you do have excess, sagging skin, liposuction alone could worsen the issue.

If you’re considering a surgical solution, please consult with an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in post-weight loss body contouring. Ask to see before-and-after photos of their thigh lift patients, especially those with similar concerns. Make sure your surgeon has performed at least 150 thigh lifts and is comfortable guiding you through recovery, scar care, and post-op maintenance.

I hope I’ve answered your question about surgical and non-surgical options to stop thigh chafing. You deserve to wear what you love without pain or worry. Please review before-and-after pictures, check reviews on RealSelf, and don’t hesitate to travel to find a qualified surgeon who can help.

Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen
(President of the American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons, Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Fellow of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American College of Surgery, International College of Surgery, and American Board of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, and member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and RealSelf Hall of Fame.)

Thanks for your question, Little Rawrsy. And sorry to hear about your thigh chafing problem.
There are creams and lotions that you can use to somehow lubricate the area and make it less prone to chafing, but this is only a temporary solution.
Thigh liposuction and lift may help trim down excess fat and skin in your inner thighs to help prevent chafing. But of course, we first need to know if excess skin and fat are really what’s causing the chafing.
To know which procedure is best for you, please consult a reputable and board-certified plastic surgeon so that you’ll be properly evaluated. I offer free consultations that you may schedule on my website.
Best of luck!