Men and women who have lost significant amounts of weight may be plagued with loose skin and fatty deposits throughout their bodies, leaving an unsightly appearance. A lower body lift can eliminate these areas of excess skin while tightening underlying muscles for a sleek, toned finish. In this blog, we will discuss what is lower body lift procedures and how it offers a surgical solution for excess skin.
Tummy Tuck Lift Surgery
Diet and exercise alone often don’t suffice in helping patients who have undergone significant weight loss to get rid of excess skin that lingers around the waistline or shrink “love handles” on either side. A tummy tuck lift surgery is beneficial in removing this extra skin for a slimmer and toned midsection.
Buttock Lift Plastic Surgery
A butt lift, also known as gluteoplasty, has a lot of benefits and can dramatically change the shape of your buttocks by lifting loose skin and reducing excess fat. This surgery may be performed alone or with liposuction for greater body contouring effects.
You could benefit from undergoing this surgery following dramatic weight loss, pregnancy, sun damage or natural aging which has caused your waistline skin to sag below it – although an inpatient stay may be necessary depending on its scope.
Thigh Lift Cosmetic Surgery
Men and women who have lost a substantial amount of weight may find that excess skin sags along the lower torso and buttocks, making clothing difficult to fit properly, leading them to feel self-conscious wearing pants or bikini tops
A thigh lift is an effective solution for restoring inner and outer thighs by lifting, trimming, and tightening skin to reduce sagging for a more toned appearance and reduce self-consciousness about wearing these items.
Hip Lift Surgery
If you have experienced significant weight loss, chances are your skin has become lax in certain parts of your body, particularly around your hips, buttocks, and lateral thighs. This sagginess often results from massive weight loss, which weakens muscles in those regions.
A complete lower body lift involves several body contouring procedures to help remove excess skin from the hips, buttocks, lateral thighs, and abdomen. This treatment also narrows waistlines for an overall slimmer midsection appearance.
Lower Body Lift Surgery in 10 Steps
Lower body lifts extend tummy tuck incisions around the torso to remove excess skin from the abdomen, waist, and buttocks. They are an attractive option for patients who have undergone significant weight loss through either bariatric surgery or diet and exercise alone.
Initial Consultation With Your Plastic Surgeon
If dramatic weight loss, pregnancy, or aging have left areas of loose skin below your waistline, body lift surgery could be a viable solution. However, this procedure should not be undertaken if uncontrolled medical conditions such as heart disease and diabetes exist.
At their goal weight or within six months of reaching it, ideal candidates for bariatric surgery are individuals at or near their ideal weight with stable weight for at least 3-6 months prior to undergoing the process.
Plastic Surgeons like Dr. Jim Brantner also carefully screen for any health conditions that might hinder recovery; during your consultation session, we will listen to your goals and conduct an in-person assessment.
Preoperative Evaluation According to Medical History
At this phase, we will review your medical history and conduct any necessary tests for healing. We will also discuss your diet and any herbal or dietary supplements you are currently taking.
Your surgeon will make an incision around your torso to remove an apron of excess skin, tighten muscles, and reposition tissues for a toned appearance. Liposuction may be employed for maintaining body weight, and drains may also be used to control swelling and bruises.
Anesthesia For Painless Treatment
Candidates for body lift surgery must be free from serious medical conditions that could impede healing and be committed to living an overall healthier lifestyle at their current weight. Patients should refrain from smoking and limit alcohol consumption.
Furthermore, patients must get adequate rest after surgery and be assisted at home by someone to manage any discomfort. Pain medication will typically be provided, and it can often be managed easily with over-the-counter remedies like Tylenol.
Incision Placement
Many individuals become interested in body lift surgery following significant weight loss. This may have come about through gastric bypass or another form of bariatric surgery, diet and exercise, or some combination thereof.
No matter the method of weight loss, this procedure can help you feel more at ease with yourself and confident about your appearance. Before entering the operating room, your surgeon will make a circumferential incision at your beltline around your lower body, including your abdomen, thighs, and buttocks.
Skin and Fat Removal
Body lift surgery can remove the extra skin that accumulates over the abdomen, thighs, and buttocks following significant weight loss. This transformational surgery helps women and men achieve more symmetrical figures.
Your surgeon will make a circular incision around your torso, extracting an apron of loose, excess skin before tightening any remaining tissues to give your lower body a toned look. Close incisions using sutures, tape, or skin adhesives to minimize scarring. Although scars may remain visible for several months following closure, these should fade within one or two years.
Muscle Tightening
Once excess fat and skin have been eliminated, muscles need to be tightened to give the body an overall smoother contour. Liposuction may also be utilized at this point to treat stubborn pockets of fat in the treatment area.
Patients considering a lower body lift should have reached or near their goal weight and been stable for several months prior to surgery. Smokers should refrain from undertaking this procedure, as smoking interferes with its healing capabilities, and should arrange to have someone assist them at home during the initial stages post-surgery.
Drain Placement
Excess skin and fat are surgically extracted from the lower abdomen region in order to tighten abdominal wall muscles, while loose skin on the buttocks and lateral thighs is lifted for improved contour. Additionally, surgical drains may be placed.
Operative procedures typically occur at an outpatient surgical center or hospital and typically last from 3-4 hours. Patients interested in body lift surgery should have realistic expectations, be free from medical conditions that might impede surgery or recovery, and be willing to put forth time and effort into post-surgery recovery.
Dressing and Compression Garments
Patients may experience bruising and swelling after their procedure; it is important to know this is part of the recovery process and should not be seen as cause for alarm. Sometimes, the bruising and swelling can be more pronounced than others.
To achieve a smoother skin appearance, patients should wear their compression garments day and night for as long as their surgeon prescribes or desires. This can help reduce swelling and enhance surgical results while decreasing blood clot risks during and after surgery. It is also advised that they refrain from smoking to ensure optimal outcomes from their surgery experience.
Recovery Period
Recovery time after body lift surgery may take several weeks; patients must take time off work and avoid strenuous activities for at least that long after the procedure has taken place.
Within one week after surgery, bruises and swelling should subside. Patients will have tubes installed that drain away excess fluid from their incisions; to track how much fluid has been eliminated, they must empty this drainage tube several times each day and empty its contents into a waste basket.
Patients may experience temporary numbness or changes to sensation after surgery; these side effects typically improve over time. To maximize results from post-surgery instructions provided by their surgeon.
Follow-Up
Adherence to post-op instructions and recommendations provided by your surgeon is critical for a smooth recovery. This includes not placing undue strain on the surgical site, such as excessive bending that strains incisions in the back or front and increases swelling.
As part of their preparation, patients should also aim to maintain a stable weight for at least six to twelve months before undergoing any surgical procedure that requires incisions to ensure long-lasting results. While incisions will leave scars, our plastic surgeon will discreetly place them. Over time, these scars become lighter and fade to an invisible appearance.
Conclusion
A lower body lift surgery offers a comprehensive solution for individuals grappling with excess skin and stubborn fat deposits following significant weight loss, pregnancy, or aging. The procedure removes excess skin and fat and tightens underlying muscles, resulting in a smoother, more sculpted silhouette.
Consult Jim Bratner M.D. For Lower Body Lift Surgery
Experience the best and most effective Lower Body Lift Surgery with Jim Brantner‘s expert cosmetic services. From liposuction to thigh lifts, we specialize in body contouring to enhance your natural beauty. Book your consultation today to explore our range of services, including upper arm contouring and vaginal rejuvenation.