Hagopian Plastic Surgery: Thomas Hagopian, MD
99 Krog St. NE, Unit C110
Atlanta, GA 30307
Phone: (404) 885-8542
Tuesday–Friday: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
After significant weight loss or as part of the normal aging process, it’s very common to develop excess skin on the thighs. Board-certified plastic surgeons Dr. Thomas Hagopian and Dr. Courtney Cripps can tighten loose skin on your limbs with a thigh lift at our Atlanta, GA, plastic surgery practice.
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VIEW PHOTOSA thigh lift (thighplasty) is a body contouring procedure that removes excess, sagging skin and reshapes the thighs for a smoother, firmer appearance. Dr. Thomas Hagopian specializes in advanced thigh lift techniques, tailoring the procedure to each patient’s anatomy, degree of skin laxity, and aesthetic goals.
Dr. Hagopian has extensive experience with several thigh lift approaches, which may be combined when appropriate:
Dr. Hagopian uses an avulsion technique, first performing liposuction beneath the excess skin, then using controlled traction to separate and remove it. This approach is designed to preserve underlying lymphatic channels, blood vessels, and connective tissue.
When appropriate, he also combines thighplasty with 360-degree leg liposuction to address excess fat around the legs, including the knees, posterior thighs, and banana rolls (the pockets of fat just beneath the buttocks). Depending on the surgical plan, he may incorporate VASER® ultrasound-assisted liposuction for fat removal and BodyTite® radiofrequency technology to help tighten the remaining skin.
Dr. Hagopian performs approximately 200 thigh lift procedures each year and receives weekly referrals from local and national surgeons for both primary thighplasties and complex revision cases. His extensive experience with advanced thigh contouring techniques attracts patients from across the country seeking individualized care. Approximately 80% of his thigh lift patients travel from outside Atlanta for his expertise.
Plastic surgery is the perfect field for Dr. Hagopian, who has a knack for fixing things and helping people. The board-certified plastic surgeon is a former firefighter/paramedic, and he had a business building highly sought-after custom taillights in medical school. He met his wife, Nurse Hagopian, at Emory University, and they bonded over many shared interests, including a commitment to exceptional patient care.
Meet Dr. Thomas Hagopian
Georgia native Dr. Courtney Cripps has returned home to bring her expertise in facial, breast, body, and reconstructive plastic surgery to Hagopian Plastic Surgery. With advanced training at NYU Langone Health and a personalized approach to patient care, she is dedicated to helping every patient achieve natural-looking results that reflect their goals and lifestyle.
Meet Dr. Courtney CrippsYou may be a candidate for a thigh lift if you have experienced significant weight loss and want to tighten skin on the thighs only. If you are also looking to address laxity on your abdomen or buttocks, you may be a better candidate for a body lift.
The cost of a thigh lift (thighplasty), which includes liposuction of the thighs, varies depending on several factors. These factors include the complexity of the procedure and your specific aesthetic goals. We will give you a personalized price quote at your consultation so you can take it home and consider your options. Keep in mind that we offer payment and financing options to make paying for your procedure more convenient and affordable.
For optimal healing, it’s essential to follow your aftercare instructions closely and allow adequate downtime. You can expect some swelling, and it may take a few months to subside completely. While every patient varies, here’s a typical timeline of what to expect throughout your recovery.
In addition to adhering to your post-op protocol, you can ease your recovery and enhance your results by following these tips:
Before surgery:
After surgery:
Dr. Hagopian or Dr. Cripps may employ VASER® or SAFELipo® liposuction during your thigh lift and suggest one or more complementary body contouring procedures to help you achieve optimal results. For example, a drainless tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) can complement a thigh lift by further balancing your body contours. Or, you may wish to opt for a breast lift or nipple and areola reduction to complete your look.
If you would like to learn more about tightening your skin with a thigh lift, please call (404) 885-8542 or request a consultation online.
A thigh lift is typically not covered by insurance and is an out-of-pocket procedure
A thigh is a drainless procedure, but your surgeon reserves the right to place them if
your outcomes will be improved. We will discuss this before surgery.
The location and extent of your excess skin help determine which thigh lift approach is appropriate for you. Loose skin concentrated in the upper inner thighs may require a different incision pattern than skin laxity extending toward the knees or affecting the backs of the thighs. During your consultation, your surgeon will recommend an approach or combination of techniques and explain the expected incision locations and resulting scars.
Thigh lift surgery is typically performed under general anesthesia, so you won’t experience pain during the procedure. After surgery, you can expect mild to moderate discomfort during the first week, along with swelling and bruising. Dr. Hagopian prescribes pain medication to maintain your comfort throughout your recovery.
The most serious complication is a blood clot. Although this is rare, it is a medical
emergency. Signs of a blood clot include swelling in one leg with pain and redness in the
area, difficulty breathing, or chest pain. If you experience these symptoms, immediately
report to the emergency room for evaluation.
The minor complications after a thigh lift are wound healing issues, hematoma,
infection, or seroma.
A seroma is a fluid collection, and small seromas will typically heal on their own.
A seroma that is the same size or shrinking will often go away. Targeted
compression on these smaller seromas will help them heal fast. A hematoma is
a blood collection that typically is hard and painful. There can be skin changes
(redness, darkening, bruising). Usually, hematomas go away on their own, but if
they are growing or become extremely uncomfortable, surgical exploration and
removal are required. Both are typically unilateral, meaning one-sided.
Occasionally, a wound can form on the incision, usually in the groin, where there
is a lot of friction and moisture. This can happen for a number of reasons
including infection, tension, or the skin not getting enough blood at the end of
surgery. Usually, these wounds are small and heal with a little ointment and a
band-aid, but sometimes they can be large and require treatment at a wound
care clinic or even a surgical revision.
Wound opening is most likely to occur at the junction where the lateral thigh
incision meets the inner thigh incision. This is called the “T” junction, and it is the
area with the highest tension.
For best results, wear compression for 3 months postoperatively. This helps your body
control swelling and prevent fluid collections like seromas. We will provide the garment
you will wear on the day of the procedure. Ensure you have one size down from your
current size in compression available to start wearing around 1 week later.
Click here to see our recommended compression and order straight from Amazon.
Remember that the swelling after surgery may take weeks to months to completely
resolve. At the 3-month mark, we typically take the “after” pictures, which is when your
swelling and appearance will be mostly settled. Asymmetry can be helped with in-office
procedures.
Scar revision is another in-office procedure that can help improve the appearance of your scars
after surgery. If you are prone to keloids, please tell your surgeon beforehand so we can
pre-treat you. If keloids develop after surgery and you have not had keloids before,
steroid injections may improve hypertrophy.
You can expect your thigh lift results to be long-lasting, especially if you maintain a stable weight and a healthy lifestyle. While the procedure removes excess skin and fat, it doesn’t stop the natural aging process. However, most patients enjoy their results for 10 years or longer.
Yes. Dr. Hagopian performs complex revision thighplasty, evaluating your previous results, remaining excess skin and fat, and existing scars to determine what further surgery may achieve. He receives weekly referrals from surgeons from across the country for both primary and revision procedures.
Reviewed for clinical accuracy by a Hagopian Plastic Surgery Medical Editor on October 18th, 2026.
