Do your inner thighs rub, chafe, or puddle into your knees, no matter how clean your diet is or how hard you train? After weight loss, pregnancy, or simply due to time and genetics, the delicate skin of the inner thighs can stretch and lose its snap-back. Clothing pulls, shorts ride up, and workouts only make the redundancy more obvious. For many people, the problem extends beyond the upper thigh crease toward the mid‑thigh or even down to the knee, making standard “groin-only” lifts or liposuction alone come up short.

At The Gallery of Cosmetic Surgery, Dr. Craig Jonov offers Medial (Inner) Thigh Lifts and Vertical Thigh Lifts, often combined in one operation, to remove excess skin, refine the contour, and restore a slimmer, smoother inner-thigh line. Your plan is individualized so you get the right lift (or combination of lifts) for your anatomy and goals.

What Does a Combined Medial & Vertical Thigh Lift Mean?

Many people notice that extra skin on the thighs isn’t limited to just one area. The upper inner thigh can sag, while folds may also expand toward the mid-thigh or even the knee. In these cases, a single technique, whether medial or vertical, doesn’t always provide the full improvement patients want.

A combined medial and vertical thigh lift allows Dr. Craig Jonov to tighten skin in two directions at once:

  • Horizontally, by lifting and re-anchoring the skin upward from the groin crease.
  • Vertically, by removing excess skin that runs down the inner thigh.
Combined Medial & Vertical Thigh Lift

Together, these approaches smooth the entire inner thigh from top to bottom, reduce bulk that causes rubbing or chafing, and create a cleaner, more balanced contour. For many patients, especially those who have undergone significant weight loss, this combination offers the most natural and longest-lasting results, all in a single procedure and recovery.

Benefits of Medial & Vertical Thigh Lift

Benefits of Medial & Vertical Thigh Lift

 

This procedure addresses both skin laxity and excess tissue, providing several key improvements. The specific benefits you can expect will depend on your individual anatomy and goals.

  • Comprehensive tightening from groin to mid‑thigh or knee.
  • More balanced contour in clothing and swimwear.
  • Reduced chafing and improved comfort during exercise.
  • Longer-lasting results when laxity exists in multiple directions.
  • A single recovery instead of staging two separate operations.

Many patients benefit from precision liposuction during the same procedure to sculpt the transition zones.

Are You a Right Candidate?

You may be a good candidate for medial and/or vertical thigh lift if:

  • You have excess inner-thigh skin (with or without stubborn fat).
  • Your weight is stable, and you are close to a comfortable, maintainable goal.
  • You are a non‑smoker (or can stop nicotine including vaping for the recommended period).
  • You are in good general health and can take time to recover
  • You have realistic expectations about the tradeoff of concealed, purposeful scars for a smoother shape.

Medial & Vertical Thigh Lift at The Gallery of Cosmetic Surgery

Before surgery, Dr. Craig Jonov meets with you to review your health, examine skin laxity, and discuss your goals. Based on this, he recommends a medial lift, vertical lift, or a combined approach, and may suggest adding liposuction for optimal contouring. You’ll also review recovery details and scar placement so you know what to expect.

Anesthesia & Setting

The surgery is performed under general anesthesia at our fully accredited outpatient surgical center in Lynnwood. This ensures you are completely comfortable and safe throughout the procedure, and most patients return home the same day.

Marking & Positioning

Before surgery begins, Dr. Jonov makes careful markings on the thighs to map out where skin will be removed and tightened. These guides help ensure precise lifting without over-tightening the skin, creating balanced results.

Liposuction (When Needed)

If stubborn fat pockets are present, Dr. Jonov may use targeted liposuction to refine the thigh’s shape. This is especially helpful around the upper thigh or inner knee, where bulk can interfere with a smooth contour.

Skin Excision & Lift

For a medial lift, extra skin is removed through a discreet groin crease incision and secured to deeper tissues for long-lasting support. When laxity extends further down the thigh, a vertical incision along the inner thigh is used to remove redundant skin toward the mid-thigh or knee. In many cases, both methods are combined to fully smooth the thigh from top to bottom.

Layered Closure

Once the skin has been repositioned, Dr. Jonov uses layered sutures to close the incisions. This technique reduces tension on the skin, supports the new contour, and promotes more refined scar healing.

Compression Garment

At the end of surgery, a compression garment is applied around the thighs. This garment helps control swelling, supports the healing tissues, and maintains your new shape during recovery.

The procedure typically takes several hours, depending on whether you’re having a medial lift, vertical lift, or a combined approach. Adding liposuction may extend the surgical time slightly, but it allows for more comprehensive results.

Recovery & Results

After surgery, swelling, tightness, and mild discomfort are expected for the first couple of weeks, but most patients return to desk work within 1–2 weeks. Light walking is encouraged early on, while strenuous activity and exercise are gradually reintroduced over 4–6 weeks. Wearing a compression garment helps reduce swelling and support healing contours. As the body recovers, the thighs appear smoother, slimmer, and more balanced, with final results becoming visible over 3–6 months as scars fade and tissues settle. With a stable weight and healthy lifestyle, results are long-lasting and can dramatically improve both comfort and confidence.

Why Choose The Gallery of Cosmetic Surgery for Thigh Lift

Choosing the right surgeon is just as important as choosing the right procedure. At The Gallery of Cosmetic Surgery, Dr. Craig Jonov brings years of surgical expertise and a patient-centric approach to every thigh lift.

  • Customized plans: Medial, vertical, or combined approaches tailored to your anatomy
  • Refined scar placement with layered closure to support long-term results
  • Thoughtful recovery guidance and dedicated follow‑up care
  • Convenient location in Lynnwood serving Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland, and surrounding communities

Schedule Your Consultation with Dr Jonov

Confidence, comfort, and movement matter. If your inner thighs are interfering with your movements, schedule a consultation with Dr. Craig Jonov to discuss a Medial & Vertical Thigh Lift plan tailored to your needs. The Gallery of Cosmetic Surgery welcomes patients from Lynnwood, Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland, and beyond.

Call us at (425) 775-3561 or request your online appointment to get started.

FAQs

What is the difference between medial and vertical thigh lift?

A medial thigh lift removes loose skin from the upper inner thigh through an incision in the groin crease, tightening skin upward. A vertical thigh lift removes excess skin that extends down the thigh, using a slim incision along the inner thigh for full-length tightening.

Is a medial thigh lift worth it?

For patients with sagging only in the upper inner thigh, a medial lift can significantly improve comfort and appearance. It reduces chafing, smooths contour, and restores confidence in clothing and movement.

What is a medial thigh lift?

A medial thigh lift is a surgical procedure that tightens and reshapes the inner thighs by removing redundant skin through a groin-crease incision. It’s ideal when laxity is concentrated near the upper thigh.

How painful is thigh lift surgery?

Most patients describe thigh lift recovery as sore and tight rather than intensely painful. Discomfort is managed with prescribed medication, compression garments, and activity modifications during the first weeks.