Pregnancy, significant weight fluctuations, long-term obesity, or aging are common factors that cause the skin on the thighs to stretch and muscle tissue to diminish.

In the early stages of aging, the thighs can be tightened using radiofrequency treatment, laser therapy, or liposuction. If this is not sufficient, excess skin and subcutaneous fat can be removed through surgery. In this case, excess tissue is removed from the upper and inner surfaces of the thighs. Most often, a combination of liposuction and surgery is used for thigh tightening, which both tightens the skin and reduces the weight and bulging caused by fat.

The procedure can be performed under general anesthesia or spinal anesthesia. Excess fat is first removed as precisely as possible using the water-jet liposuction (WAL) technique. Afterward, the skin surface is exfoliated and closed with dissolvable sutures. With the superficial skin exfoliation technique, serious side effects are extremely rare. The incisions are taped and covered with custom-made compression garments. 

You can usually go home the same evening after the procedure. Recovery from surgery typically takes 2–4 weeks. Swelling and bruising usually subside within 2–3 weeks. After surgery, you should avoid strenuous exercise for about a month. The most common complications of surgical treatment include various wound and scarring issues.