Whether you’re dealing with stubborn fat pockets that won’t budge, loose skin from weight loss or aging, or cellulite that’s affecting your confidence, there are more options than ever for sculpting and refining your legs. From surgical procedures like thigh lifts to minimally invasive treatments like BodyTite and Morpheus8, the right treatment for you depends on your unique concerns, body type, and goals.
At Maningas Cosmetic Surgery, we help patients across Joplin, the Four State Area, and Northwest Arkansas achieve the contoured, confident legs they’ve always wanted. Below, we’re breaking down six of the most effective treatments for leg shaping so you can start exploring which approach might be right for you.
Surgical Options
1. Thigh Lift
A thigh lift (also called thighplasty) is a surgical procedure designed to remove excess skin and tissue from the inner or outer thighs, resulting in smoother, more toned leg contours. This procedure is especially beneficial for patients who have lost a significant amount of weight and are left with loose, sagging skin that diet and exercise simply cannot address.
During a thigh lift, Dr. Maningas carefully removes redundant skin and tightens the underlying tissue to create a firmer, more proportionate silhouette. Incisions are strategically placed in the groin area or along the inner thigh where they can be easily concealed. For patients with concerns on the outer thighs, the incision may extend around the hip.
You may want to consider a thigh lift if…
- You have significant loose or sagging skin on your inner or outer thighs
- You’ve experienced major weight loss and your skin hasn’t contracted
- Chafing or irritation from excess skin is affecting your daily comfort
- You’re close to your goal weight and ready for a long-term solution
A thigh lift is often combined with liposuction to further enhance the leg contour and can also be performed as part of a lower body lift for comprehensive post-weight-loss body contouring.
2. Liposuction
Liposuction remains one of the most popular and effective body contouring procedures available. When it comes to the legs, liposuction is ideal for patients who have localized fat deposits that simply won’t respond to diet and exercise—think inner thighs, outer thighs (saddlebags), knees, and even calves and ankles.
Unlike a thigh lift, liposuction does not address loose skin. Instead, it focuses on removing stubborn fat to sculpt a slimmer, more proportionate leg shape. For patients with good skin elasticity, liposuction alone can deliver impressive results. For those with some skin laxity, combining liposuction with BodyTite (more on that below) can provide both fat removal and skin tightening in one procedure.
You may want to consider liposuction if…
- You have stubborn fat deposits on your thighs, knees, or calves that won’t budge
- Your skin has good elasticity and is unlikely to sag after fat removal
- You’re at or near your ideal body weight
- You want permanent fat reduction in a specific problem area
Liposuction removes fat cells from your body, and these fat cells will not grow back. However, be sure to maintain a stable weight after surgery to keep your results looking their best.
3. Thigh Lift + Liposuction Combination
For many patients, the best results come from combining procedures. A thigh lift paired with liposuction addresses both excess skin and stubborn fat in a single surgical session, delivering comprehensive leg contouring that neither procedure could achieve alone.
This combination is particularly popular among patients who have experienced significant weight loss or those who are undergoing a mommy makeover or lower body lift. Dr. Maningas will evaluate your individual anatomy and goals to determine whether a combined approach makes sense for you.
Minimally Invasive + Non-Surgical Options
Not everyone needs surgery to achieve their leg contouring goals. If you have mild to moderate skin laxity, localized fat, or concerns like cellulite, there are several minimally invasive and non-surgical options that can deliver noticeable improvements with less downtime.
4. BodyTite
BodyTite is a minimally invasive body contouring procedure that uses radiofrequency-assisted lipolysis (RFAL) to simultaneously remove fat and tighten skin. It’s one of our most popular treatments at Maningas Cosmetic Surgery for patients who want sculpted results without traditional surgery.
On the thighs, BodyTite is highly effective for tightening, improving contours, and addressing mild to moderate skin laxity. The treatment involves a thin probe that delivers radiofrequency energy beneath the skin, heating the tissue to stimulate collagen production and skin contraction. The result is smoother, firmer legs with minimal downtime.
You may want to consider BodyTite if…
- You have both stubborn fat and mild to moderate skin laxity on your thighs
- You’re looking for a less invasive alternative to surgical thigh lift
- You want skin tightening and fat reduction in a single treatment
- You’re at or near your goal weight with localized problem areas
BodyTite is performed by Dr. Maningas under local anesthesia with light sedation, and most patients return home the same day.
5. Morpheus8 RF Microneedling
Morpheus8 is a non-surgical skin rejuvenation treatment that combines microneedling with radiofrequency energy to stimulate collagen production, tighten skin, and improve overall texture. On the thighs, it’s particularly effective for addressing cellulite, stretch marks, and mild skin laxity.
During treatment, tiny needles penetrate the skin and deliver RF energy to the deeper layers, triggering your body’s natural healing response. Over the following weeks and months, new collagen builds, leaving you with firmer, smoother skin. Morpheus8 is safe for all skin types and can be used on the inner thighs, outer thighs, hips, and above-knee areas.
You may want to consider Morpheus8 if…
- You have cellulite or uneven skin texture on your thighs
- You’re looking to fade the appearance of stretch marks
- You have mild skin laxity and want gradual tightening
- You prefer a non-surgical treatment with minimal downtime
Results from Morpheus8 build gradually over a series of treatments, with most patients seeing smoother, more even-toned skin within a few months.
“I would like to recognize Dr Maningas and his wonderful team. I recently had a Morpheus 8 and lower face Quantum RF. The care and attention to detail were remarkable . Thank you so much for the great care!”
—5-star Google review
6. Evolve Transform
Evolve Transform is a non-invasive body contouring treatment that combines radiofrequency energy with electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) to simultaneously tighten skin and tone underlying muscles. Think of it as enhancing your workout results without additional gym time.
On the thighs, Evolve Transform can help improve overall muscle tone and skin tightness, contributing to a more defined leg appearance. This treatment requires no downtime and is completely non-invasive! You simply relax while the device does the work.
You may want to consider Evolve Transform if…
- You want to enhance muscle tone in your thighs
- You’re looking for additional skin tightening without surgery
- You want a completely non-invasive treatment with zero downtime
- You’re looking to complement your fitness routine or maintain results from other procedures
Comparing Leg Contouring Options
Choosing between surgical and non-surgical leg contouring treatments depends on several factors, including the severity of your concerns, your skin quality, your timeline, and your personal preferences around downtime and recovery. Here’s a quick guide:
- For significant loose skin: A thigh lift offers the most dramatic improvement for patients with substantial skin laxity, especially after major weight loss.
- For stubborn fat with good skin elasticity: Liposuction can effectively remove localized fat deposits and sculpt slimmer legs.
- For fat + mild skin laxity: BodyTite delivers both fat removal and skin tightening in one minimally invasive session.
- For cellulite, stretch marks, or texture concerns: Morpheus8 RF microneedling offers gradual, non-surgical skin improvement.
- For muscle toning + minimal skin tightening without downtime: Evolve Transform provides a completely non-invasive option, but offers gradual improvement, so slightly more of a time investment.
The best way to determine your ideal treatment plan is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Maningas or our expert aesthetics team. We’ll evaluate your unique anatomy, discuss your goals, and recommend a personalized approach.
Let’s Talk About Your Leg Contouring Goals
At Maningas Cosmetic Surgery in Joplin, we’re proud to offer a full range of surgical and non-surgical body contouring options to help you feel confident in your skin. Call us at 417-437-0303 to schedule your consultation.