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Augusta · Evans · Columbia County
Firmer, smoother thighs

Thigh Lift
in Augusta, GA

★★★★★ 5.0 594 Google reviews

A thigh lift removes the loose, sagging skin that diet and exercise can’t tighten — often after major weight loss — performed by Dr. Karen Szymanski and Dr. Troy Austin, our double board-certified plastic surgeons. Honest guidance on techniques, scars, and cost.

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What is a thigh lift?
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Thigh Lift

Skin, not fat. That's the difference.

Dr. Troy Austin, MD, board-certified plastic surgeon in Augusta, GA

Medically reviewed by Dr. Troy Austin, MD — double board-certified plastic surgeon ◆ Updated July 2026

A thigh lift is surgery that removes loose, sagging skin from the inner or outer thighs to create a smoother, firmer, more toned contour. It’s most often chosen after major weight loss — whether from bariatric surgery, a GLP-1 medication, or hard work in the gym — when the fat is gone but the stretched skin stays behind. Diet and exercise can shrink fat; they can’t tighten skin that has lost its elasticity. At Southeastern Aesthetic Surgery in Augusta, GA, Dr. Karen Szymanski, our preferred surgeon for thigh lifts, performs them tailored to how much skin you’re dealing with and where. Dr. Troy Austin performs thigh lifts as well.

See the types of thigh lift

Board certified

1 x

Dr. Austin is certified by both the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery — the training that post-weight-loss body contouring deserves.

Hours, outpatient

1- 2

Performed in our own accredited on-site surgery center. Most patients go home the same day and recover in a compression garment.

Starting price

$ 1

We publish a real starting number and give you an exact, all-in quote at consultation. Financing available. We also offer BodyTite and Quantum thigh lifts that start at $5,000.

Austin
Dr. Troy Austin, board-certified plastic surgeon and supervising physician at 7 Seas Medical Spa in Augusta, GA
Dr. Troy Austin Double board-certified
Your surgeon

Where the skin is removed matters.

A thigh lift lives and dies on incision planning — how much skin to remove, where to hide the scar, and how to keep the result balanced. That’s judgment, and it comes from training. Dr. Austin is double board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery, completed his plastic surgery fellowship at the Medical College of Georgia, and trained in general surgery at the Ochsner Clinic Foundation in New Orleans.

He’ll give you a straight answer about what a thigh lift can and can’t do for your legs — and about the scar trade-off — before you ever schedule surgery. The surgeon who plans your procedure is the one who performs it.

A thigh lift is a trade: loose skin for a scar. My job is to make that trade clearly worth it, and to place the scar where you'll live with it comfortably. Dr. Troy Austin
Read his full bio

Credentials & affiliations

  • American Board of Plastic Surgery & American Board of Surgery
  • Fellowship — Medical College of Georgia
  • Member, ASAPS · ASPS · Georgia Society of Plastic Surgeons
Is it right for you?

When squats can't fix skin.

You did the hard part — you lost the weight. But the skin on your inner thighs didn’t bounce back. It sags, it chafes, it rubs when you walk, and no amount of lunges or squats will tighten it, because the problem isn’t muscle or fat — it’s skin that lost its elasticity. A thigh lift is for people who are at a stable weight and bothered by that loose, hanging skin. If your issue is stubborn fat with good skin tone instead, liposuction is the better answer — and Dr. Austin will tell you which one you actually need.

Thigh lift vs. the alternatives
Compare your options

Lift, lipo, or tightening?

Loose skin, stubborn fat, and mild laxity are three different problems. Here’s how a thigh lift compares to the alternatives we also offer.

Thigh LiftLiposuctionMinimally Invasive (BodyTite)
Best forLoose, hanging skin — usually after weight lossStubborn fat with good skin toneMild laxity with a little fat, minimal downtime
Removes skinYes — that’s the pointNoTightens skin with a laser after removing fat
Removes fatOften paired with liposuctionYesYes, via a liposuction cannula
ScarYes — concealed in the groin crease or inner thighTiny incisionsTiny incisions
DowntimeA few weeksDays to a weekMinimal

We offer liposuction, BodyTite skin tightening, and full body lift surgery — so Dr. Austin recommends the right tool for your legs, not the only one on the menu.

Types of thigh lift

One name, several techniques.

“Thigh lift” covers a few different procedures. The right one depends on how much loose skin you have and where it sits.

Inner (medial) thigh lift

The most common. For loose skin on the inner thigh, with the incision hidden in the groin crease where underwear and swimwear cover it. Ideal for moderate laxity.

Mini thigh lift

A more limited version for people with only mild, upper-inner-thigh looseness — a shorter groin-crease incision and a quicker recovery.

Vertical (extended) thigh lift

For significant loose skin after major weight loss. Along with the groin-crease incision, a vertical incision runs down the inner thigh to remove skin all the way to the knee. It leaves a longer scar — the honest trade for a dramatic change.

Outer / lateral thigh lift

Addresses the outer thigh and is often done as part of a lower body lift after massive weight loss.

Thigh lifts are frequently combined with liposuction to refine the contour, and pair naturally with an arm lift or tummy tuck in a total post-weight-loss plan.

More skin, longer scar. The amount of loose skin decides the technique — and the scar that comes with it.

Straight talk

About the scars — honestly.

Every thigh lift leaves a scar. Any clinic promising a truly “scarless” thigh lift is misleading you — if loose skin is removed, there is an incision. What a good surgeon controls is where that scar goes and how well it heals.

Where the scars are placed

For inner and mini thigh lifts, the incision sits in the groin crease, hidden by underwear and swimwear. For a vertical thigh lift, a scar also runs down the inner thigh — more visible, but the trade for removing a large amount of skin.

How they heal

Scars look their most raised and pink in the early months, then flatten and fade over about a year. Dr. Austin guides you through scar care — from tension support to silicone — to give them the best chance to settle.

If you want to avoid a long scar

If your skin laxity is mild, liposuction alone or BodyTite energy tightening may achieve enough without a lengthy incision. Dr. Austin will tell you honestly whether that’s realistic for your legs, or whether a lift is the only thing that will truly work.

No such thing as scarless.

Remove skin, get a scar. An honest surgeon shows you exactly where it goes — before you decide.

Investment

How much does a thigh lift cost in Augusta?

The price depends on the technique — a mini or inner thigh lift costs less than a vertical lift for major weight-loss skin. In the Augusta area, most thigh lifts range from $6,500 to $13,000. Your exact, all-in quote is confirmed in writing at your consultation.

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Mini / inner (medial) thigh lift $7,500 – $13,000
Vertical / extended thigh lift $10,000 – $16,000
BodyTite thigh lift $5,000 +
Add liposuction for contouring + $1,500 – $3,000
Quantum thigh lift 360 $5,000 +
Consultation with Dr. Austin or Dr. Karen Szymanski $100

Your quote depends on the technique, whether liposuction is added, and the extent of skin removed — and includes anesthesia and the surgery center. Combining a thigh lift with another post-weight-loss procedure (like an arm lift or tummy tuck) often costs less than doing each separately. Financing is available through Cherry, CareCredit, PatientFi, and Alle Financing.

Candidacy, recovery & results

Timing, healing & what lasts.

Are you a candidate?

The best candidates are at a stable weight, in good health, don’t smoke, and are bothered by loose inner- or outer-thigh skin. If you’ve lost weight through bariatric surgery or a GLP-1 medication, it’s best to wait until your weight has held steady for several months — operating before then risks chasing a moving target.

Recovery

  • Week 1: the hardest — limited walking, a compression garment, and rest; arrange help at home.
  • Weeks 2–3: many return to desk work; still no strain or wide leg movement.
  • Weeks 4–6: gradually back to more activity and exercise as Dr. Austin clears you.
  • Months 2–12: swelling settles and scars mature and fade.

How long do results last?

A thigh lift’s results are long-lasting as long as your weight stays stable. Significant future weight gain or loss can stretch or loosen the skin again, so maintaining your weight is the key to keeping your new contour.

Wait for a stable weight. Thigh-lift results hold best when your weight has settled — especially after a GLP-1 or bariatric journey.

Good to know

Thigh lift Questions.

What is a thigh lift?

A thigh lift is surgery that removes loose, sagging skin from the inner or outer thighs to create a smoother, firmer contour. It’s most often chosen after major weight loss, when the fat is gone but stretched skin remains. It addresses skin laxity — not stubborn fat, which is treated with liposuction.

A thigh lift removes excess skin; liposuction removes excess fat. If your thighs have loose, hanging skin (usually after weight loss), you need a lift. If they have stubborn fat but good skin tone, liposuction is the answer. Many patients benefit from both together — Dr. Austin will tell you which you need. 

Cost depends on the technique — a mini or inner thigh lift costs less than a vertical lift for major weight-loss skin. In the Augusta area, most range from about $6,500 to $13,000, with liposuction adding to the total when included. Your written, all-in quote is confirmed at consultation, and financing is available through Cherry, CareCredit, PatientFi, and Alle Financing.

The main types are the inner (medial) thigh lift, with the incision hidden in the groin crease; the mini thigh lift for mild upper-inner looseness; the vertical (extended) thigh lift for significant skin after major weight loss, which adds a scar down the inner thigh; and the outer/lateral thigh lift, often part of a body lift.

Every thigh lift leaves a scar — removing skin requires an incision, so a truly “scarless” thigh lift isn’t real. For inner and mini lifts, the scar hides in the groin crease; a vertical lift adds a scar down the inner thigh. Scars fade over about a year. If your laxity is mild, liposuction or BodyTite may avoid a long incision.

For an inner or mini thigh lift, the incision sits in the groin crease, concealed by underwear and swimwear. A vertical thigh lift also runs an incision down the inner thigh. Dr. Austin plans placement to keep scars as hidden as possible and guides you through scar care.

Non-surgical radiofrequency devices like Morpheus8 and Quantum can improve the appearance of the thighs, but they will not remove loose skin or fat. If you have hanging skin after weight loss, a thigh lift is the only thing that truly removes it. Dr. Austin will be honest about what’s realistic for you.

It’s best to wait until your weight has been stable for several months — typically after a GLP-1 or bariatric weight-loss journey has plateaued. Operating before your weight settles risks the skin loosening again. A stable weight is the single most important factor for a lasting result.

The first week is the hardest — limited walking, a compression garment, and help at home. Many return to desk work by two to three weeks, ease back into activity over the following weeks, and see swelling settle and scars fade over the following months. Full results appear as scars mature at about a year.

Yes. Patients travel in from across Georgia and the Carolinas, often as part of a post-weight-loss plan. Start with a virtual consultation so your plan is set before you arrive, and because recovery is real, plan to stay in the Augusta area for the first week. Augusta Regional Airport is about 20 minutes away.

Service area

Serving Augusta and the wider CSRA.

Our practice sits just off River Watch Parkway in Augusta, minutes from Evans and Martinez and a straight shot from I-20. Patients come to us from across Columbia and Richmond counties and from across the Savannah River in South Carolina.

Prefer to start from home? Virtual consultations are available, a convenient first step before you travel to Augusta.

See directions & drive times
Augusta
Evans
Martinez
Grovetown
Columbia County
Hephzibah
Harlem
Appling
North Augusta, SC
Aiken, SC
Thomson
Waynesboro

Traveling to Augusta for a thigh lift?

Patients travel to Dr. Austin from across Georgia, the Carolinas, and beyond — often as part of a post-weight-loss body-contouring plan — to have their surgery done by one trusted surgeon. Augusta Regional Airport (AGS) is roughly 20 minutes from our surgery center.

Start with a virtual consultation — share your goals and a few photos, and Dr. Austin will outline a plan before you travel. Because a thigh lift needs a real recovery, plan to stay in the Augusta area for the first week. Our team helps coordinate scheduling, lodging, and follow-up — and can combine procedures to make one trip count.

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Patient experiences

What our patients say.

5.0 Based on 594 Google reviews
Ratings and reviews from Google Maps

From my initial consultation through my procedure, my experience was nothing short of exceptional. Every step of the process was informative, professional, and reassuring. Dr. Austin and his entire staff were incredibly patient, attentive, and always willing to answer any questions I had. The level of customer service and hospitality exceeded my expectations. Everyone made me feel comfortable, valued, and confident in my decision throughout the entire journey. Dr. Austin’s expertise, compassion, and dedication to his patients are truly remarkable. I feel extremely blessed to have had Dr. Austin as my surgeon and would highly recommend him and his facility to anyone considering a procedure. Thank you for providing such outstanding care and an amazing experience.

I had an amazing experience with Dr. Austin and the entire staff during my implants exchange procedure. From the very beginning, everyone made me feel safe, comfortable, and truly cared for. Dr. Austin was professional, knowledgeable, and took the time to answer all of my questions, which gave me so much confidence throughout the process. The staff was kind, supportive, and welcoming every step of the way. I’m very grateful for the excellent care I received and highly recommend Dr. Austin and his team!.

I cannot say enough good things about Dr. Austin and his team!!! From the time you walk in until the time you leave they make you feel like the only patient in the building. Dr. Austin is truly wonderful. Before surgery my consult was very thorough and he answered every question I had. The medical staff and Dr. Austin made surgery day and recovery a breeze. The surgery center is immaculate with wonderful pre and post op staff which was important to me as a nurse myself. Having my surgery with Dr. Austin and his team was the best decision I ever made. Book that consultation and surgery!!! You will NOT regret it. I have never been happier with my body and my confidence is back!

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Visit us

In Augusta — and worth the drive.

Our surgery center sits just off River Watch Parkway, an easy drive from Evans, Martinez, Grovetown, and Columbia County, plus North Augusta and Aiken across the river. Many patients travel from across Georgia and the Southeast; Augusta Regional Airport (AGS) is close by, and our team helps out-of-town patients coordinate every visit.

Southeastern Aesthetic Surgery

225 Cooper Ct
Augusta, GA 30907
(706) 854-2080
Mon–Thu 8:30am – 5:00pm · Fri 8:30am – 2:00pm

Approx. drive times

  • Martinez, GA 7 min
  • Evans, GA 11 min
  • Downtown Augusta, GA 17 min
  • North Augusta, SC 17 min
  • Grovetown, GA 22 min
  • Aiken, SC 38 min
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Firmer thighs after all that hard work. Let's talk.

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★★★★★ 5.0 594 Google reviews