How Much Does a Thigh Lift Cost?

The average cost of a thigh lift (aka thighplasty) is $12,355, according to 455 patient reviews. Prices can range from $4,800 to $28,000, depending on factors like your surgeon’s level of experience, their location, and the details of your treatment plan.

Read on to learn more about:

• why the price of this cosmetic surgery can vary so much
• what the price includes
• if insurance covers it
• whether most patients say the results are worth the money 

RealSelf Tip: This guide explores the cost of thigh lift surgery, which removes excess skin and fat, to smooth and reshape the thigh area—not energy-based, nonsurgical skin tightening treatments, such as Renuvion or BodyTite, sometimes referred to as a “scarless thigh lift.” Nonsurgical treatment options work best for people with mild to moderate skin laxity. Those with more severe sagging, loss of elasticity, and excess skin will see far better results from surgical body contouring.

What your thigh lift cost quote should include

A written quote for the total cost of thigh lift surgery should include:

• Any pre-op tests and required lab work 
• The surgeon's fee, which may be applied toward the cost of your procedure
• Anesthesia fees for the supplies and provider
• Facility fees
• Post-surgical care and follow-up visits
• A compression garment, to help minimize swelling and recovery time
• Over-the-counter or prescription pain medication

During your initial consultation with your surgeon, ask for a comprehensive price estimate. If it doesn’t include any of these items, you’ll still need to work them into your plastic surgery budget.

Why thigh lift surgery costs vary

The price you pay for thigh lift surgery will depend on:

1) The type of thigh lift you have

Much like with a facelift, one of the biggest factors in how much you’ll pay is the type of thigh lift procedure you need and the technique used to achieve it.

The different types of thigh lifts include:

• Mini thigh lift: Prices typically start at around $5,000. It’s the most affordable option, but targets sagging only in the inner area of the upper thighs, so it’s not a good option for everyone. 
• Inner (medial) thigh lift: This option is more extensive (and expensive) than a mini lift. It involves removing excess skin and fat from the inner thigh before closing the area with sutures.
• Outer (bilateral) thigh lift: Often done in combination with liposuction, this technique removes excess skin from the outer thighs, buttocks, and waist. It can be more expensive than an inner or medial thigh lift, but for the right candidate, the results can be more transformative.  
• Circumferential thigh lift: Sometimes referred to as a spiral thigh lift or lower body lift, this is a more complicated procedure that encompasses the entire thigh circle in 360 degrees. The surgeon’s fee alone for a lower body lift is $7,924, according to the most recent statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), but it also provides the most bang for your buck. 

In all cases, you’ll want to maintain a stable weight after surgery to preserve your new contours and proportions.

2) Your surgeon's credentials and level of expertise

This is a very specialized surgical procedure, and you’ll get the best result from a board-certified plastic surgeon with significant experience in this surgical body-contouring procedure. 

As with all cosmetic procedures, thigh lift prices may be higher in the hands of an expert surgeon, but the long-term results should be worth it.

"Do your research," advises Dr. Timothy Katzen, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills, California. "Make sure your chosen plastic surgeon has done at least 100 thigh lifts and that they have before-and-after photos to prove it."

A surgeon's photo gallery can help you form realistic expectations about a procedure and avoid the risk of post-op disappointment, along with the possible need for a costly revision. 

3) Whether you combine a thigh lift with other procedures

Thigh lifts can be combined with complementary procedures, including arm lifts, tummy tucks (abdominoplasty), liposuction, a panniculectomy, a breast lift, a breast augmentation, or a butt lift. A thigh lift can also be performed as part of a mommy makeover, which typically involves both breast and body work.

More minimally invasive procedures can also be tacked on to a thigh lift, including Avéli, which addresses cellulite by snipping the tethering connective-tissue bands responsible for dimples, as well as skin-tightening treatments like Morpheus8 or Renuvion.

From a safety standpoint, surgical sessions are usually limited to six hours or less, so depending on the skill of the surgeon and the extent of your operation, you may need to stagger your procedures over time. 

However, combo procedures have several advantages:

• Surgeons generally offer discounted fees for multiple procedures performed in one operation
• You’d have just one charge for the operating room and anesthesia
• You’d only have to undergo one recovery period

That said, the savings may be offset by the cost of an overnight stay in a recovery center, which many providers recommend after a thigh lift—especially if you're having a combination of procedures.

This is especially true after massive weight loss, where the thigh lift incision is often long—from the groin area to the knee—and vulnerable to coming open.

Your provider should be able to help you weigh the pros and cons of combined vs. staggered procedures from the standpoints of safety, budget, and getting your desired results.

4) Where your provider is located 

If your surgeon practices in a major city, you can expect the cost of a thigh lift to be higher than what you’d pay in a more affordable location.

Many of the country's most renowned plastic surgeons practice in larger cities affiliated with highly regarded hospitals and teaching institutions, but if you’re willing to travel, you may find significant savings with a qualified surgeon who doesn’t have to cover so much overhead. 

Medical tourism, the price-driven trend of traveling abroad for more affordable cosmetic surgery, is also becoming increasingly popular. It can make surgical procedures more affordable—for instance, thigh lift surgery in Mexico costs around $4,500, nearly half the average cost in the U.S. But a cheaper option can end up costing you more money if complications occur, or if you end up needing revision surgery to correct a bad cosmetic result. 

If you do decide to travel abroad for thigh lift surgery, pay close attention to patient reviews and photos, and make sure your virtual consultation is with the surgeon who will be performing your procedure. It can be more difficult to assess the credentials of surgeons outside of the U.S., not to mention the challenge of finding a reputable recovery house.

5) The surgical facility itself

A thigh lift may be performed in a private surgery center or a hospital operating room, and there are significant cost differences between the various options. 

"Generally, surgeons who operate in dedicated outpatient cosmetic surgery centers are able to offer lower facility fees than those who operate in hospitals," says Dr. Richard Bruneteau, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Omaha, Nebraska. That's because private surgical facilities don't come with the same fees as hospitals. 

As enticing as the prospect of a lower price tag can be, be sure to check that any surgical facility you’ll be treated in is licensed and/or accredited, prior to having your procedure.

If your thigh lift is performed on an outpatient basis, you'll go home after the procedure. 

If your operation is more complex or combined with other procedures, your provider may recommend that you spend at least one night in a recovery facility, so you can be monitored by medical staff. That stay will come with an extra cost, but it may be important for your safety.

6) Who administers your anesthesia

A thigh lift is performed under general anesthesia, which may be administered by an anesthesiologist (an MD) or a nurse anesthetist (a CRNA).

An anesthesiologist will charge more for their time and expertise, but some surgeons will only operate with their services, for the sake of safety. Others insist on it for patients with underlying conditions, like diabetes.

Is thigh lift surgery worth the money?

Thigh lift surgery has an impressive 83% Worth It Rating from reviewers on RealSelf, so a solid majority say their results were worth the investment.

Many reviewers who were happy say that they hadn't previously enjoyed the full benefits of significant weight loss because of the remaining loose skin and excess fat in their upper legs. Some call their thigh lift results "life-changing" and say that they feel "more comfortable wearing shorts and a swimsuit." 

Among those who say thigh lift surgery wasn’t worth it, several reported side effects or complications like hollowing, excess remaining skin, and difficulty with recovery.

An experienced plastic surgeon will be able to assess whether you’re a good candidate for this procedure. Depending on your situation and goals, they may recommend a less expensive, nonsurgical option or a full lower body lift.

Does insurance cover thigh lift surgery?

In most circumstances, insurance companies do not cover thigh lift surgery or complications arising from thighplasty. That's because it’s considered an elective cosmetic surgery. 

However, if you have documentation of discomfort resulting from chafing, chronic rashes (that haven’t responded to topical treatments), or other medical issues caused by excess thigh skin, it's worth contacting your insurance company to see whether they will cover a portion of the procedure.

If cost is a barrier, most practices accept financing options like CareCredit. During your initial consultation, ask which options they will accept.

Thigh lift costs in U.S. states

Browse average thigh lift costs in U.S. states, according to recent RealSelf member reviews (as of July 2023). States not currently listed did not have enough data to include.

Thigh lift costs in major U.S. metros

Average costs according to patient-reported data. As of July 2023, the cheapest metro area in the U.S. to get a thigh lift is Miami, while people tend to pay the most in Los Angeles. Cities not listed did not have enough data to include.