UK Patients Welcome · Temos-Accredited Hospital
Thigh Lift in Turkey
Firm, contoured thighs after major weight loss or ageing. A thigh lift removes loose, sagging skin and tightens the supporting tissue — ending skin-on-skin chafing and completing your lower-body transformation. Performed by board-certified plastic surgeons at Anatolia Hospital in Antalya.
Surgery time
1.5–2.5 hours
Hospital stay
3 nights
Stay in Antalya
~7 days
Back to desk work
1–2 weeks
OVERVIEW
What is a thigh lift?
A thigh lift (thighplasty) removes excess skin and fat from the thighs and tightens the tissue underneath. After significant weight loss, thigh skin often hangs in loose folds that no exercise can correct — causing chafing, rashes and difficulty with clothing, not just aesthetic concerns. At NewMe it takes 1.5 to 2.5 hours under general anaesthetic at Anatolia Hospital in Antalya, and most UK patients stay about 7 days.
What patients notice first: no more inner-thigh chafing, and jeans, leggings and swimwear that sit smoothly. A thigh lift is a classic pairing with an arm lift or tummy tuck in one post-weight-loss plan.
TECHNIQUES
Which thigh lift technique is right for me?
The technique depends on where — and how much — skin is loose. Your surgeon chooses the shortest incision that can deliver the correction your skin needs.
| Technique | Usually suits | Scar |
|---|---|---|
| Inner (medial) thigh lift | Loose skin on the upper inner thigh — the most requested technique | Hidden in the groin crease |
| Vertical thigh lift | Significant loose skin down the inner thigh after massive weight loss | Groin crease plus a line along the inner thigh towards the knee |
| Spiral thigh lift | Loose skin around the inner, front and outer thigh — an advanced, circumferential correction | Spirals from the groin around the thigh towards the buttock crease |
| Outer (lateral) thigh lift | Loose skin on the outer thigh and hip, often with a lower body lift | Along the bikini or underwear line |
| Liposuction-assisted | Remaining fat pockets with any of the above | Small extra entry points |
IS IT RIGHT FOR YOU?
Am I a candidate for a thigh lift?
A thigh lift suits people whose loose thigh skin causes discomfort or self-consciousness. Suitability is confirmed after photo review and consultation.
✓ You have loose, sagging thigh skin, especially after major weight loss
✓ You get chafing or irritation between your thighs
✓ Your weight has been stable for at least 6 months, and you are a non-smoker or willing to stop 4 weeks before and after surgery
✓ You are in good general health, with realistic expectations about scars
If your thighs are mostly fat with good skin tone, liposuction alone may be enough — and we will tell you honestly.
THE PROCEDURE
How does thigh lift surgery work?
The operation takes 1.5 to 2.5 hours under general anaesthetic.
1
Marking
Your surgeon marks the skin to remove standing up, placing incisions in natural creases and underwear lines wherever possible.
2
Skin removal & tightening
Excess skin and fat are removed, liposuction refines remaining fat pockets, and the deeper tissue is anchored for a lasting lift.
3
Closure & compression
Incisions are closed in layers with fine sutures and a compression garment supports your thighs while they heal.
YOUR SURGEONS
Who will perform my thigh lift?
Thigh lift surgery at NewMe is performed by our two board-certified plastic surgeons. Your assessment tells you which surgeon will operate and why.
Op. Dr. Houtan Zolfagharpour
Board-certified plastic surgeon and NewMe’s lead body contouring specialist. Thigh lift is a core procedure in his post-weight-loss practice, often combined with arm lift and tummy tuck.
Op. Dr. Bahadır Demirkan
Board-certified plastic surgeon, former Assistant Professor and TUS top-100 graduate — meticulous incision planning and scar care are where his academic precision pays off in thigh lift surgery.
YOUR HOSPITAL
Where is my thigh lift performed?
Your operation and your hospital nights take place at Anatolia Hospital in Antalya — one of NewMe’s contracted institutions, accredited by Temos for Quality in Medical Care. An anaesthetist looks after you during surgery and the hospital’s nursing team cares for you around the clock while you are an inpatient. After discharge you recover in a hotel nearby, with our coordinators checking on you until your fit-to-fly review.
RECOVERY
What is recovery like after a thigh lift?
Week 1
Three nights in hospital, then hotel recovery. Compression garment worn continuously and short, gentle walks from day one — avoid long periods of standing or wide leg movements. Fit-to-fly review around day 7.
Week 2–6
Desk work typically from week 1–2. Compression continues as your surgeon advises; walking distance builds gradually, strenuous leg exercise waits.
Month 2–3
Squatting, sport and full training return with your surgeon’s clearance.
Month 6–12
Swelling has resolved and scars fade towards fine lines in their concealed positions.
SAFETY
What are the risks of a thigh lift?
A thigh lift is a well-established operation, but healing in the groin area needs care and like any surgery it carries risks. Your surgeon goes through them with you before you book, and we recommend reading the NHS guide to cosmetic surgery as well.
Common and expected
Swelling, bruising, tightness and visible scars that fade over 6–12 months; swelling of the lower legs for some weeks.
Less common
Wound separation or slow healing near the groin, widened scars, a fluid collection, infection, and slight unevenness between the legs.
Rare but serious
Lasting numbness of the thigh skin, blood clots in the legs or lungs, and reactions to the anaesthetic.
How we reduce your risk: waiting until your weight is stable; a full health check before surgery; stopping smoking at least 4 weeks before and after; three nights of hospital care with clot prevention; careful wound and hygiene instructions; and a fit-to-fly review before you travel home.
RESULTS & TRANSPARENT PRICING
See real results — and exact prices
Transparent per-surgeon prices, real patient results and patient videos for thigh lift surgery are published on one dedicated page — so you can compare, plan and budget with nothing hidden.
FOR UK PATIENTS
Planning a thigh lift in Turkey from the UK
NHS and thigh lifts
NHS funding for a thigh lift after weight loss is very limited and decided case by case, so most UK patients have the operation privately.
Direct flights, about 4 hours
Antalya has direct flights from London, Manchester, Birmingham and other UK airports. UK passport holders can visit Turkey visa-free for up to 90 days.
What your package covers
The operation, your hospital nights, VIP transfers between airport, hospital and hotel, your compression garment and follow-up. Your recovery hotel and flights are booked separately.
Aftercare back home
You fly home with an English-language surgical report for your GP, and send photo check-ins over WhatsApp long after you return.
New to surgery abroad? Our step-by-step guide for UK patients walks you through the whole journey, and the NHS advice on cosmetic surgery abroad is worth reading before you decide — we are happy to answer every question on that checklist.
QUESTIONS
Frequently asked questions
Where will the scars be?
It depends on the technique: an inner thigh lift hides the incision in the groin crease, a vertical or spiral lift adds a longer line, and an outer lift follows the underwear line. Scars fade substantially over 6–12 months.
What is a spiral thigh lift?
An advanced technique for loose skin around the whole thigh — inner, front and outer — usually after massive weight loss. The incision spirals around the thigh, so one operation corrects several zones.
Can’t I fix my thighs with exercise instead?
Exercise shapes the muscle, but significantly stretched skin cannot shrink back. If your concern is mostly fat with good skin tone, liposuction alone may be enough.
Are the results permanent?
The removed skin is gone for good. With a stable weight, results last long-term; big weight changes are the main thing that can stretch the skin again.
Can I combine a thigh lift with other procedures?
Yes — arm lift with thigh lift is a post-weight-loss classic, and pairing with a 360° tummy tuck completes the lower body. Your surgeon confirms what is safe to combine in your case.
When can I sit, walk and exercise normally?
Gentle walking starts on day one and daily activities return within the first two weeks. Wide leg movements, squatting and strenuous exercise wait about 4–6 weeks; full training returns from around month 2–3.
How long do I need to stay in Antalya?
Around 7 days: three nights in hospital, then hotel recovery until your fit-to-fly review.
How long do I wear the compression garment?
Usually for around 4–6 weeks. Your surgeon tells you the exact duration for your case.
Which hospital is the surgery performed in?
At Anatolia Hospital in Antalya, one of NewMe’s contracted institutions, accredited by Temos for Quality in Medical Care.
Is the hotel included?
No. Your package covers the operation, your hospital nights, VIP transfers, your compression garment and follow-up. Hotel nights are booked separately, and we can arrange a hotel close to the hospital for you.
Ready for legs that match your transformation?
Send your photos for a free assessment — an honest answer on lift versus liposuction, and a written quote.
