Home · Plastic surgery · Thigh lift
Thigh lift (thighplasty) · Istanbul & Izmir, Turkey
Thigh lift in Istanbul and Izmir, Turkey, with liposuction for a smoother contour
A thigh lift (thighplasty) removes loose skin from the inner or outer thigh and tightens the tissue underneath. JFS Clinic plans your thigh lift in Istanbul or Izmir, Turkey; the package is listed from £3,600 and includes liposuction in the same operation, 2 nights in hospital and 7 hotel nights over a 10-day stay.
Patient service award three years running · Licensed for health tourism
Key facts
Thigh lift in Turkey at a glance
Your price and your dates
Thigh lift Turkey cost and available dates
Your thigh lift package is listed from £3,600 and includes 2 nights in hospital, 7 hotel nights and airport, hotel and clinic transfers. Share two photos and your coordinator replies with your personal plan plus the dates your surgeon is free. Most patients land in Istanbul or Izmir within about a week, on dates they pick themselves.
Am I a candidate?
Who is a good candidate for a thigh lift?
Losing weight can shrink the fat inside the thigh, but it does not shrink the skin wrapped around it. Once that skin has been stretched past a certain point, it hangs loose no matter how much you diet or exercise — a thigh lift is the only treatment that removes it.
Loose thigh skin after weight loss, why exercise cannot tighten it
Major weight loss and years of ageing both stretch the skin's elastin fibres beyond the point where they spring back on their own. Fat can still be reduced with diet, exercise or liposuction, but the loose skin envelope stays behind, often chafing between the thighs when walking. A thigh lift removes that excess skin and tightens the layer underneath, which is a different job from reducing fat and is why the two are so often combined in one operation.
Signs a thigh lift may suit you
- Loose, hanging skin on the inner or outer thigh, often after losing a significant amount of weight.
- Skin that rubs or chafes between the thighs when you walk, regardless of your current weight.
- Your weight has been stable for several months and you are not planning major further weight loss.
- You don't smoke, or can stop well ahead of surgery and stay stopped afterwards — nicotine slows healing and raises the chance of complications.
- Your general health is good enough for a general anaesthetic, with nothing that would make it unsafe.
| Inner thigh lift | Outer thigh lift | |
|---|---|---|
| Loose skin location | Inner thigh, from the groin toward the knee | Outer thigh and upper hip |
| Incision | Groin crease, sometimes extending down the inner thigh | Closer to the bikini line, around the hip |
| Often combined with | Liposuction of the inner thigh | A BBL or lower body lift |
| Typical candidate | Loose inner thigh skin, mild to moderate excess | Loose outer thigh and hip skin after major weight loss |
What to discuss at your thigh lift consultation
- How much loose skin you have on the inner and outer thigh, and whether an inner, outer or vertical technique suits your anatomy.
- Whether liposuction should be added in the same operation to contour the thigh at the same time.
- Where your final scar will sit, and whether it stays hidden in your usual underwear.
- Your full medical history, including any previous weight-loss surgery.
- How your weight has changed over the past year, since skin tends to re-loosen after further large weight loss.
This is general guidance, not a diagnosis. The final call belongs to your surgeon, once he has seen your photos and your health history.
Not every thigh lift is the same
Types of thigh lift, inner, outer and vertical
"Thigh lift" covers several different incision patterns. Your surgeon picks the technique based on where your loose skin sits and how far it extends — not the other way around.
- 1Incision marked in the groin crease
- 2Loose skin removed
- 3Tissue lifted and secured
- 4Skin smoothed and closed
How an inner thigh lift is done
| Technique | Best for | Incision | Usually combined with |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inner (medial) thigh liftMost common | Loose, sagging skin on the inner thigh, often after weight loss | Groin crease, hidden in underwear | Liposuction of the inner thigh |
| Vertical thigh lift | Significant inner thigh skin excess, common after major weight loss | Groin crease plus a vertical line down the inner thigh | Liposuction, sometimes a full body lift |
| Outer (lateral) thigh lift | Loose skin on the outer thigh and upper hip | Closer to the bikini line, around the hip | A BBL or lower body lift |
| Thigh lift with liposuction | Patients who also want the thigh contoured in the same operation | Same as the chosen technique above | Built into the JFS package price |
Scar length and position always depend on how much skin needs to be removed — your surgeon marks the exact line with you before surgery.
Inner vs outer thigh lift, how your surgeon decides
The choice starts with where the loose skin sits, not with what you ask for. Your surgeon pinches the skin on the inner thigh, checks how far it extends toward the knee, and looks separately at the outer thigh and hip. Loose skin limited to the inner thigh usually points to an inner (medial) thigh lift; skin that is loose both across and down the leg, often after large weight loss, is what the vertical technique is designed for. Outer thigh and hip laxity is treated separately, sometimes alongside a BBL.
Liposuction is usually added rather than chosen instead — it reduces the fat layer while the lift removes the skin envelope around it, which is why most JFS thigh lift patients leave with both done in the same operation. How much skin comes off, and how long the incision needs to run, is measured by pinching the loose tissue with you standing, then marked immediately before surgery so the final scar sits as low and short as your anatomy allows.
Why patients come back
This is my third time coming back to Dr. Onur Evren Yılmaz through JFS Clinic. He's extremely detail-oriented and talks everything over with you before deciding anything. It's been a week since my thigh lift, and I'm already very happy with the results.
How soon
How soon can you have a thigh lift in Turkey?
Most JFS patients are in Istanbul or Izmir for their thigh lift within about a week of their first message. There's no waiting list to join — you pick the dates that work for you.
- 1
Send two photos
Message us on WhatsApp or use the form, with two photos of your thighs, one from the front and one from the side, and a few lines about your health and any previous weight-loss surgery.
- 2
Get your personal plan
Op. Dr. Onur Evren Yılmaz reviews your photos personally and your coordinator comes back with a suggested technique, a package price and the surgery dates he has open — at no cost to you.
- 3
Choose your dates
You book your flights. Your coordinator arranges the hospital, the hotel and transfers on our side, and sends a short checklist of what to pause and what to pack before you fly.
- 4
Fly to Istanbul or Izmir
Your 10 days in Turkey begin. You start with blood tests and an in-person consultation before any date is locked in.
What can delay your thigh lift date
Being able to travel within a week does not mean you should if your body is not ready yet. Your surgeon weighs a short list of factors before fixing the final date, reviewed again at your Day 2 consultation. If the blood tests raise any concern, the date is pushed back rather than kept — safety decides the calendar, not the booking.
| Factor | Why it matters | What usually happens |
|---|---|---|
| Smoking or nicotine | Nicotine narrows blood vessels and slows healing along the groin incision | You are asked to stop for several weeks before and after surgery |
| Weight still changing | Losing a lot more weight later can loosen the lifted skin again | Surgery is planned once your weight has been stable for a while |
| Blood thinners and some supplements | They can increase bleeding during and after surgery | Your surgeon tells you what to pause and when. Never stop prescribed medication without your own doctor's advice |
| Poor skin or wound healing history | The groin incision needs good blood supply to heal thinly | Your surgeon reviews your medical history and any previous surgery in the area |
| Combining with another body procedure | A longer combined operation needs more theatre time and recovery | Your surgeon confirms whether it is safe to do in one visit or should be staged |
Your 10 days in Turkey
How long to stay in Turkey for a thigh lift
Plan on 10 days in Istanbul or Izmir for a thigh lift: surgery on day 3, 2 nights in hospital, 7 hotel nights and a clinic check-up on day 9 before you fly home on day 10. Airport, hotel and clinic transfers are part of the package, and your coordinator meets you on arrival.
- Day
1Arrival
We collect you from the airport and settle you into your hotel, with an evening call from your coordinator to run through tomorrow's tests.
TransferHotel - Day
2Consultation & tests
Blood tests, then you mark the plan with your surgeon — technique, incision line and whether liposuction is being added.
TestsConsultation - Day
3Surgery
Your thigh lift takes place under general anaesthesia, typically around three hours combined with liposuction. You stay in hospital overnight under nursing care.
SurgeryHospital - Day
4Hospital, second night
A second night under observation is standard. If you have drains, they're checked at each round, with pain relief adjusted as you need it.
HospitalCheck-up - Day
5Back to the hotel
You wear your compression garment and take your first short, careful walks with help, sitting with legs slightly apart. Your coordinator walks you through handling the garment and emptying any drains.
RestWalking - Day
6Recovery
Each day feels a little steadier, and most people manage short hotel walks on their own by now. Your coordinator checks in and sorts out anything you need.
Rest - Day
7Recovery
Swelling and bruising are usually at their peak around now. Your garment stays on day and night, and walking gets a little easier each day.
Rest - Day
8Recovery
Drains, if you have them, are usually ready to come out around now once drainage has slowed enough for your surgeon to be confident.
Rest - Day
9Check-up
Dressing and healing check at the clinic, drains removed if they are still in, before you are cleared to travel.
Check-up - Day
10Fly home
Final instructions, your aftercare kit and advice for the flight — aisle seat, regular short walks, garment on. Your coordinator stays in touch on WhatsApp.
TransferAftercare
Patient videos
Thigh lift Turkey reviews in patients' own words
Package & price
Thigh lift Turkey package and what it includes
- Thigh lift surgery with liposuction in the same operation
- 2 days in hospital after surgery
- 7 nights in the hotel during recovery
- Transfers included — airport, hotel, clinic
- Check-ups and aftercare (aftercare items listed in your quote)
| Item | Status |
|---|---|
| Thigh lift with liposuction, Op. Dr. Onur Evren Yılmaz | Included |
| 2 days in hospital after surgery | Included |
| 7 nights in a hotel during recovery | Included |
| All transfers — airport, hotel, clinic | Included |
| Personal coordinator throughout your stay | Included |
| Check-ups during your 10 days in Turkey | Included |
| Compression garment | Confirmed in your quote |
| Post-op medication | Confirmed in your quote |
What changes the price: whether you need an inner, vertical or outer technique, how far the incision needs to extend, and how much liposuction is added at the same time. A thigh lift without liposuction, or combined with an arm lift, is priced individually. Your surgeon fixes the final figure only once he has reviewed your photos together with the notes from your Day 2 consultation.
The operation
How a thigh lift is done, step by step
From the moment you go to sleep to the moment your dressing goes on, here is what actually happens during an inner thigh lift combined with liposuction.
Your thigh lift starts under general anaesthesia, so you are fully asleep for the whole operation. Before you go under, your surgeon marks your thighs while you are still standing — tracing the incision line in the groin crease, how far it needs to extend toward the knee, and where liposuction will contour the surrounding fat. Those marks carry forward exactly what you and your surgeon agreed at the Day 2 consultation.
The operation itself begins with liposuction of the inner thigh, removing fat through small, hidden openings before any skin is cut. Your surgeon then makes the incision along the marked groin crease, lifting the loose skin away from the tissue beneath it to see exactly how much needs to come off.
Inside the lift
Inner thigh lift in four steps
- 1Incision marked along the groin creaseTraced while standing, so the final scar sits as low as possible.
- 2Excess skin and fat removedThe loose envelope is lifted away and trimmed to the marked line.
- 3Tissue lifted, secured to the ligamentDeep sutures anchor the lifted tissue so it does not slip.
- 4Incision closed, garment fittedLayered sutures close the wound, then the compression garment goes on.
Inner thigh lift incision and lift
The excess skin is trimmed to the marked line, and the remaining tissue is anchored with deep sutures to the strong ligament near the groin, so the lift holds without the skin closure carrying the tension.
The incision is closed in layers — deeper sutures take the tension off the skin so the scar heals as thin as possible, then finer stitches close the surface along the groin crease. A thin drain is often placed on each side to clear fluid for the first few days, particularly when liposuction has been combined with the lift. Before you wake up, your compression garment is already in place, supporting the area from the moment you open your eyes.
An anaesthetist monitors your heart rate, oxygen and blood pressure throughout. An inner thigh lift with liposuction typically takes around three hours; a vertical incision or an added outer thigh lift takes longer. You then wake in a recovery area before moving to your room for the first of two nights in hospital, with any drains checked at each nursing round.
Recovery, day by day
Thigh lift recovery time, week by week
Move the slider to any point after surgery. See how most patients feel at that point, what they're comfortable doing, and what to still hold off on.
Recovery from a thigh lift happens in three broad phases. The first week is about protecting the groin incision — you sit with your legs slightly apart, avoid long car journeys and let the compression garment do its job. Weeks two to six are about swelling going down and sitting comfortably for longer stretches, which is usually when people feel ready for a desk job again. From six weeks onward, the focus shifts from healing to the thighs settling into their final, smoother shape.
The garment is not just comfort — it supports the lifted tissue while the deep sutures take hold, which is why it stays on day and night for the first stretch and only moves to part-time wear once your surgeon is confident the repair has settled. If drains were placed during surgery, your coordinator shows you how to empty and record them at the hotel; most people have them removed around the day-8 check-up, a little earlier if drainage has already slowed on its own.
Typical timeline for a thigh lift combined with liposuction. Your surgeon may give you a different plan, especially with the vertical or outer technique.
| Activity | Week 1 | Week 2 | Weeks 3–4 | Week 6 | Months 3–6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walking | Short, slow walks with help, legs slightly apart | Walking further each day on your own | Longer walks, normal stride by week 3 | Normal walking pace, no restriction | No restriction |
| Sitting | With a cushion, legs slightly apart | Most people sit a full day with some adjusting | Comfortable for full days | No restriction | No restriction |
| Driving | Avoid — reaction times are affected by pain relief | Confirmed by your surgeon at your check-up | Set by your surgeon after your check-up | Cleared by your surgeon as you heal | No restriction |
| Flying | Day 9–10, after your check-up, wearing your garment | Confirmed by your surgeon at your check-up | Set by your surgeon after your check-up | Cleared by your surgeon as you heal | No restriction |
| Gym | Not yet | Avoid — no squats or cycling yet | Still avoid — no running or heavy lifting | Gradual return, starting light | Normal exercise, as cleared by your surgeon |
| Garment | Worn at all times | Worn at all times | Worn at all times | Coming off, or worn only part-time | As advised by your surgeon |
Typical timeline for an inner thigh lift combined with liposuction, built from the recovery guidance above. Rows marked "Confirmed by your surgeon at your check-up" differ too much from one patient to the next to generalise here — your surgeon gives you a personal timeline.
In her own words
It's been a week since my thigh lift and I'm really happy — everything is healing well. I came back today for my check-up with Dr. Onur Evren Yılmaz.
What to expect
Thigh lift results and scar healing
Most of the early swelling is gone within about six weeks, though your thighs keep softening and settling for several months as deeper swelling resolves. Many patients notice the inner thigh feel smoother early on, while the very final, settled shape takes closer to a year to show fully, especially close to the scar.
The scar itself follows its own timeline. At first it is pink, raised and firm to the touch, then it softens gradually week by week. Keeping it out of direct sun for the first year and following your surgeon's advice on scar care helps it fade into the groin crease, where most patients find it well hidden in underwear — though exactly how a scar matures still depends on your individual skin.
Results vary from patient to patient. Your surgeon will tell you what is realistic for your body at the consultation.
Your thigh lift surgeon
Op. Dr. Onur Evren Yılmaz
Plastic surgeon · Izmir
Dr. Yılmaz specialises in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery, with a particular focus on body contouring after weight loss — thigh lifts, arm lifts and combined liposuction procedures make up a regular part of his caseload.
Which surgeon operates, and in which city, is written in your quote.
- Meets you in person before surgery to plan your incision line and technique
- Medicine: Dokuz Eylül University, Izmir · Plastic surgery residency: Ufuk University, Ankara (2012)
- Member, Turkish Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery
More about Dr. Yılmaz →He's very good at what he does. He's a perfectionist.
Questions
Thigh lift in Turkey, frequently asked questions
How much does a thigh lift cost in Turkey?
At JFS Clinic, an all-inclusive thigh lift package, combined with liposuction, is £3,600 (€4,150 / $4,800), covering surgery, two nights in hospital, seven nights in the hotel and all transfers. A thigh lift on its own, or combined with an arm lift, is priced individually after your surgeon reviews your photos.
See all package prices →How soon can I have a thigh lift in Turkey?
Most JFS patients are operated on within roughly a week of their very first message to the clinic. You share two photos, get back a personal plan with the open dates, and pick when you want to travel. Only after your blood tests and the in-person consultation in Istanbul or Izmir does your surgeon lock in the date, pushing it back if that is the safer call.
From first message to surgery →Can I get a thigh lift on the NHS?
Rarely. The NHS usually treats a thigh lift as a cosmetic operation and funds it only in exceptional circumstances, such as after massive weight loss with a documented health impact, decided by your local health board. Most people in the UK end up weighing private clinics, both at home and abroad, against each other on surgeon, hospital, aftercare and total cost.
Is it safe to have a thigh lift in Turkey?
What actually keeps you safe is the surgeon and the hospital, not which country you are in. Dr. Yılmaz is a specialist plastic surgeon who operates in a hospital holding an international-patient licence, and JFS Clinic itself holds a health-tourism licence. Day 2 brings blood tests and a pre-operative assessment, confirming you are fit for a general anaesthetic before any surgery date is locked in. Before you book, check your surgeon's qualifications, the hospital's international licence and how aftercare is handled once you are home.
Where is the best country to get a thigh lift?
No country can honestly claim to be the best for every patient, so compare clinics on standard points: the surgeon's specialist training and experience with thigh lift surgery, a hospital licensed for international patients, a written price stating what it includes, and follow-up once you are home. At JFS Clinic you see your surgeon's name before booking and meet them before surgery. Op. Dr. Onur Evren Yılmaz, a plastic surgeon who completed his specialist training in 2012, operates, and your coordinator passes questions and photos from home to him on WhatsApp.
On a scale of 1 to 10, how painful is a thigh lift?
You are asleep for the operation itself. Afterwards, most patients describe the groin and inner thigh as sore and tight rather than sharply painful, easing step by step as the swelling goes down. Sitting and walking feel the most uncomfortable in the first week, which is why you sit with your legs slightly apart at first. You are given pain relief throughout, and exactly how it feels differs from one person to the next.
Can a thigh lift be combined with an arm lift or liposuction?
Often, yes. Most JFS thigh lift patients combine it with liposuction in the same operation, which is what the package price above includes. Combining a thigh lift with an arm lift is also possible for some patients, usually as two separate operations rather than the same day. That decision rests with your surgeon, based on your health and how long a combined operation can safely run.
How long are the scars and do they fade?
An inner thigh lift leaves a scar in the groin crease, which is usually well hidden in underwear. A vertical technique adds a scar running down the inner thigh, and an outer thigh lift leaves a scar closer to the bikini line. It begins pink and slightly raised, then flattens and fades gradually across the months that follow, into the first year.
When can I fly home after a thigh lift?
After your surgeon's final check-up, usually around day 9 of your trip. Keep your compression garment on, get up and walk the aisle during the flight, and let someone else lift your bags.
Is a thigh lift risky?
Every operation carries some risk, and a thigh lift leaves a scar and a healing period around the groin or hip. Nicotine slows healing and raises the chance of complications, and your surgeon marks the incision line with you before surgery. He reviews your medical history and blood tests, and explains your personal risks at the consultation in Istanbul or Izmir before anything is confirmed.
Is there a thigh and arm lift available in Turkey?
Yes. At JFS Clinic, Op. Dr. Onur Evren Yılmaz performs thigh lifts and arm lifts as a regular part of his caseload. Combining the two is possible for some patients, usually as two separate operations rather than on the same day, and it is priced individually after your surgeon reviews your photos. The decision rests on your health and how long a combined operation can safely run.
How soon will I see my final result?
Early swelling takes a few weeks to calm down, and by roughly the three-month mark most people see their result taking shape. The thighs continue to soften and settle for up to a year as deeper swelling resolves. Results vary from patient to patient. Your surgeon will tell you what is realistic for your body at the consultation.
Often considered together
Treatments often combined with a thigh lift
Liposuction
The fat-reduction half of most thigh lift packages, done in the same operation.
Explore →
Arm lift
Treats loose upper-arm skin with the same technique logic as a thigh lift.
Explore →
BBL with liposuction
Often paired with an outer thigh lift when you also want added shape.
Explore →
Mommy makeover
Combines body contouring procedures in one recovery after pregnancy or weight loss.
Explore →Free thigh lift consultation — Istanbul & Izmir
Send two photos and get your personal plan, price and dates within 24 hours.
+90 555 420 45 05- 1 About your treatment
- 2 A bit more about you
- 3 How to reach you
- 4 Your free quote