If you struggle with loose skin and stubborn contours around your stomach and inner thighs, it’s completely normal to wonder, “Can I get a tummy tuck and inner thigh lift at the same time?” At Sarasota Surgical Arts, we hear this question often from patients after weight loss, pregnancy, or simply aging. In many cases, yes, we can safely combine a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) and inner thigh lift in one surgery, when your health, anatomy, and goals line up. We will help you understand when combining procedures makes sense and how it may affect your recovery.
What Does a Tummy Tuck Do?
A tummy tuck reshapes the midsection by removing excess skin and fat and tightening the underlying abdominal muscles. It’s ideal for patients who feel stuck with a belly pooch or hanging skin despite healthy eating and regular exercise.
Abdominal wall surgery or tummy tuck improves the appearance of stretched or flabby abdominal muscles and skin, especially after pregnancy or major weight changes. It is not the same as liposuction, but it can be combined with other body contouring procedures for a more complete result.
At our Sarasota Surgical Arts, we use tummy tucks to:
- Tighten separated abdominal muscles (diastasis recti)
- Remove loose, overhanging skin
- Enhance waistline definition and core contour
A tummy tuck is body contouring, not a weight-loss procedure, and works best when you are close to your goal weight.
What Does an Inner Thigh Lift Do?
An inner thigh lift or medial thighplasty, removes excess skin and reshapes the inner thighs for a smoother, firmer appearance. Many patients seek this procedure after significant weight loss or aging when the skin no longer “snaps back”.
A review on thighplasty describes medial thigh lift as surgery to remove excess tissue from the inner thigh to:
- restore a more normal appearance
- improve function
- improve quality of life, especially after major weight loss.
An inner thigh lift can:
- Reduce sagging or crepey inner thigh skin
- Minimize chafing and irritation between the thighs
- Improve how you feel in shorts, swimwear, and fitted clothing
When both the abdomen and thighs have lax, extra skin, treating just one area can leave the other looking out of balance, which is why patients often ask about combining procedures.
Can You Combine a Tummy Tuck and Inner Thigh Lift?
From a body contouring perspective, your abdomen and thighs are visually connected. Reshaping both can create a more harmonious lower-body silhouette. Many patients choose to combine a tummy tuck and inner thigh lift as part of a mommy makeover or post-weight-loss surgery plan.
Potential benefits of combining include:
- One anesthesia event instead of two separate surgeries
- One primary recovery period, rather than healing twice
- A more uniform transformation of the midsection and upper legs
- Possible time and cost efficiency when operating room and facility time are consolidated
At Sarasota Surgical Arts, we customize combination procedures so your results look natural and proportionate, not overdone.
Is It Safe to Have Both Surgeries at Once?
Safety is always our top priority. Any surgery, especially one under general anesthesia, carries risks. That’s why we carefully screen each patient before recommending a combined tummy tuck and inner thigh lift.
Surgical procedures can lead to complications such as:
- bleeding
- anesthesia reactions
- and surgical site infections
Although, these remain relatively rare with proper precautions.
The CDC advises patients to watch for redness, pain, drainage, or fever at the incision site after going home and to contact their provider promptly if these appear.
When we consider combining a tummy tuck with an inner thigh lift, we look closely at:
- Your overall health and medical history
- Weight stability and body mass index
- Smoking or nicotine use (we require stopping before surgery)
- History of clotting problems or anesthesia complications
- How extensive each procedure needs to be
If we feel the operative time or recovery would become too demanding, we may recommend staging the surgeries instead of combining them.
Who Might Be a Good Candidate?
You may be a strong candidate for a combined tummy tuck and inner thigh lift if:
- You are in good general health and cleared for elective surgery
- Your weight remains stable and close to your goal
- You have loose skin in both the abdomen and inner thighs
- You do not smoke, or you are willing to quit before and after surgery
- You understand that scars are permanent (though they usually fade) and have realistic expectations
For patients who have lost a large amount of weight, extra skin can cause rashes, discomfort, and difficulty with clothing. Plastic surgery after major weight loss, such as procedures on the abdomen and thighs, can help remove sagging skin that interferes with daily life.
What Is Recovery Like After a Combined Procedure?
Recovery after a tummy tuck plus inner thigh lift is more involved than recovery from a single procedure, but it remains manageable with planning and support. Most patients can expect:
- Swelling, tightness, and bruising in both the abdomen and inner thighs
- Wearing compression garments to support healing and reduce swelling
- Walking slightly bent at the waist initially to protect the abdominal repair
- Temporary limitations with stairs, sitting, and leg movements because of thigh incisions
Scars and tissue remodeling continue for months, and scars can take up to two years to fully mature and fade. That means your final results from tummy tuck and inner thigh lift will keep improving long after the first few weeks of recovery.
At Sarasota Surgical Arts, we give detailed instructions on:
- positioning
- incision care
- activity restrictions
- and follow-up visits,
so you know exactly what to expect.
How We Personalize Your Tummy Tuck and Inner Thigh Lift
At Sarasota Surgical Arts, we tailor every combined surgery to your anatomy and goals. We carefully consider:
- Tummy tuck type– mini, standard, or extended
- Inner thigh lift technique– short-scar vs. extended lift
- Whether targeted liposuction will enhance contour around the hips or thighs
- Incision placement that hides scars in natural creases and typical clothing lines
Our goal is to give you a balanced, natural-looking shape that fits your frame and matches how you want to look in clothing, swimwear, and in the mirror.
The Bottom Line
So, can you get a tummy tuck and inner thigh lift at the same time? For many healthy, well-selected patients, you can, and it can be a powerful way to transform both your abdomen and inner thighs in a single operative plan.
The next step is a personalized consultation. We review your medical history, examine your anatomy, and talk honestly about whether combining these body contouring procedures is the safest and most effective way to reach your goals. At Sarasota Surgical Arts, we focus on beautiful, long-term results and patient safety, so you feel confident and informed every step of the way. Schedule your consultation with us today, call 941-923-1736 or visit our website.
Additional Reads:
Can I do a Tummy Tuck and a BBL at the Same Time?
Tummy Tuck Alternative: Top 5 Stunning Options 2025
Restrictions After a Tummy Tuck Surgery
Why Is My Stomach Rock Hard After Tummy Tuck?
