Thighplasty

Conveniently located to serve the areas of Honolulu, HI

A thighplasty is a body contouring procedure that can restore a smoother or more toned look to your thighs. This procedure can eliminate redundant skin, excess tissue, and accumulated fat from both the inner and outer thighs, transforming the appearance of your upper legs with ease.

Dr. Daniel Murariu is a highly accomplished plastic surgeon at Hawaii Aesthetics & Robotic Plastic Surgery. Dr. Murariu is double-board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery. He takes great pride in his work and always strives to help his patients achieve an appearance that feels natural and authentic to them.

If you are ready to explore your thighplasty possibilities, please contact us online. You may also call our Honolulu office at (808) 302-7188.

About Thighplasty

A thighplasty, or a thigh lift, is a procedure that surgically removes excess skin and fat from around the thighs to achieve a more slender and sculpted appearance. (1)

After losing significant weight, many patients find that their skin does not retract to their new figure and instead is inelastic and hangs loosely around their thighs. While certain patients may notice improvements through lifestyle changes, such as dieting or exercising, many find that they see the most substantial improvements through surgical intervention. With a thighplasty, you can reshape your thighs and achieve a look that reflects your effort, dedication, and hard work.

Types of Thighplasties

Dr. Murariu can perform two different types of thighplasty: the medial thighplasty and the lateral thighplasty.

  • Medial Thighplasty: A medial thigh lift, or inner thigh lift, removes excess skin and tissue from the inner thighs. (2)
  • Lateral Thighplasty: A lateral thigh lift, or outer thigh lift, addresses excess skin and tissue found along the outside of the thighs. (3)

Benefits

You can experience several transformative benefits when undergoing a thighplasty, such as:

  • Tighter Skin: This procedure can address any skin laxity around your upper thighs to restore a tighter and smoother look and feel.
  • Reduced Fat: Dr. Murariu can eliminate stubborn thigh fat that resists traditional lifestyle changes, such as dieting or regular exercise.
  • Improved Comfort: Thighplasty can resolve the skin irritation that rubbing or chafing skin folds cause.
  • Enhanced Definition: This procedure can restore a more slender and defined look to your thighs, creating a more attractive and sculpted silhouette overall.
  • Lasting Results: The results of thighplasty can last for several years on end, especially when you maintain healthy lifestyle habits.
  • Tailored Treatment Plans: Dr. Murariu designs each treatment plan according to his patient’s personal anatomy and goals to ensure results meet their expectations.

Candidates

You may be an ideal candidate for a thigh lift if you have recently lost a significant amount of weight and/or struggle with:

  • Sagging Skin
  • Accumulated Fat
  • Skin Irritation
  • Reduced Mobility
  • Difficulties Finding Well-Fitting Clothes

To qualify for your procedure, you should be in good general health and maintain realistic expectations regarding your results. You should also lead a nicotine-free lifestyle or be willing to quit.

Personal Consultation

The first step in resolving your thigh concerns is attending a personal consultation at our office in Honolulu! Here, Dr. Murariu will meet with you individually to discuss what thighplasty entails, how he performs the procedure, and its benefits and limitations. He will also review your medical history, discuss your personal concerns, and assess the anatomy and skin quality around your thighs.

He will take all of this information and use it to finalize your candidacy and create a personalized treatment plan. As he does so, he will explain each facet, ensuring you have a full understanding of your upcoming treatment. He will also address any questions or concerns that arise, as he dedicates this time to being collaborative and informative.

If you are ready to schedule this consultation and meet with Dr. Murariu, please contact us online or call (808) 302-7188.

Preparation

Dr. Murariu will give you a detailed list of pre-operative instructions to help you prepare for your thighplasty. These instructions may vary depending on your medical history and treatment plan, but Dr. Murariu will likely have you:

  • Under the proper medical guidance, refrain from taking any medications or supplements that have blood-thinning or antiplatelet properties.
  • Have a trusted friend or relative drive you home after your procedure, as you will not be able to drive yourself.
  • Arrange time away from your professional, personal, and social responsibilities to recover.
  • Avoid consuming any nicotine or alcohol in the weeks leading up to your procedure.

Procedure

Dr. Murariu performs each thighplasty on an outpatient basis in his private procedure room. When you arrive, you will meet with him and his operative staff. They will reconfirm each correction before they cleanse your skin and administer IV sedation, meaning you will not be connected to a machine breathing for you. This is a safer approach where you will not feel or remember the procedure, but still breathe on your own.

Dr. Murariu will then place an incision using either the medial approach or the lateral approach, depending on the area of focus. The incision for a medial thighplasty will extend outward from the edge of the groin toward the buttocks or vertically towards the knee, the exact approach will be based on your anatomy and goals; the incision for a lateral thighplasty will extend downward from the groin. (1) If he is addressing larger amounts of skin, the incision may be longer.

Dr. Murariu will then proceed to infiltrate tumescent solution (numbing medication with epinephrine to decrease bleeding and bruising), then remove all the fat in that area via liposuction technique. Afterwards, he removes the excess skin and tissue from the area with what’s known as avulsion technique. This specialized method removes the excess skin, but leaves all the lymphatics, nerves and vessels intact for better healing. Studies have shown decreased risks of major complications, including fluid buildup/damage to the lymphatics. (4) If necessary, he may also perform liposuction to address some of the surrounding fat for a more toned, defined, and contoured upper legs. He will then meticulously suture each incision shut and allow you to briefly rest in the recovery suite after the legs are wrapped tightly with compression gauze. A drain may be left behind for a few days.

Recovery

After your procedure, you must take some time to rest and heal. You can initially expect to experience some swelling, bruising, and general discomfort. Each of these side effects will dissipate on their own with time, but you may also manage them with cold compresses, plenty of rest, and medications that Dr. Murariu may prescribe.

After resting for approximately one to two weeks, you will be able to return to your career and any other light activities in your routine. You will need to continue refraining from anything strenuous for several more weeks, or until Dr. Murariu clears you to return.

He will provide you with a full set of post-operative instructions to guide you through each phase of your recovery. It is essential that you follow each one, as the efforts of your aftercare will directly influence the quality of your final results.

Results

You will be able to notice an improvement immediately after your procedure, but your results will become more pronounced as residual swelling subsides. You will then be able to enjoy smoother and tighter skin, a more defined appearance, improved proportions, and a more alluring figure. You may also find it easier to perform physically demanding activities and find better-fitting clothing.

Thighplasty yields long-lasting results that you can enjoy for several years on end. To best preserve your results, we recommend leading a healthy and active lifestyle, as weight fluctuations can alter your long-term appearance.

Cost of Thighplasty in Honolulu, Hawaii

Dr. Murariu will outline your financial obligations as they correlate to your treatment plan. Because he tailors each aspect of the procedure according to your personal case and anatomy, the exact pricing will vary.

To learn more, please request a consultation online or call (808) 302-7188.

FAQ

What concerns can a thighplasty address?

Thighplasty can address concerns such as loose or sagging thigh skin, accumulated fat, poorly-defined thighs, skin irritation, mobility difficulties, and more. During your consultation, Dr. Murariu will listen to each of your personal concerns and decide whether or not thighplasty is right for you.

Will a thighplasty address my stretch marks or cellulite?

A thighplasty will not directly address stretch marks or cellulite. However, if these concerns are present on the skin that Dr. Murariu removes, then they will no longer be there after your procedure.

Will there be noticeable scarring after my thighplasty?

Every procedure will leave some degree of scarring, and your scars will fade as you continue to heal. Dr. Murariu always strives to place incisions in areas that hide easily beneath clothing to further minimize any visibility.

Is there a difference between a thigh lift and a thighplasty?

A thigh lift and a thighplasty are two different names for the same procedure.

How long will it take to recover from my thighplasty?

You may return to light routines after resting for approximately one to two weeks. However, you will need to avoid any strenuous activities for another several weeks, or until Dr. Murariu has approved your return.

How long will the results of my thighplasty last?

You will be able to enjoy the effects of your thighplasty for several years to come. Although, we recommend maintaining a healthy lifestyle, as weight fluctuations can affect the appearance of your thighs.

Does undergoing a thighplasty entail any risks?

Surgical intervention will always carry certain risks. During your personal consultation, Dr. Murariu will discuss each one to ensure you fully understand them.

References

  1. Bell D, Winters R. Thighplasty. Nih.gov. Published July 17, 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK594236/#article-149361.s4
  2. Vater AM, Schultze-Mosgau LE, Lamby PE, et al. Impact of Medial Thighplasty on Self-Perception and Body Image After Post-Bariatric Massive Weight Loss. Life. 2024;14(11):1443. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/life14111443
  3. Acharya P, Alagarasan AR, Khan M, et al. Shaping the Silhouette: A Comprehensive Review of Surgical Body Contouring Techniques for the Torso and Limbs. Cureus. Published online July 25, 2025. doi:https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.88737
  4. Hunstad JP, Kortesis BG, Knotts CD. Avulsion Thighplasty: Technique Overview and 6-Year Experience. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 2016;137(1):84-87. doi: https://doi.org/10.1097/PRS.0000000000001936