Lower Body Lift

If you have lost a great deal of weight, despite your best efforts to exercise and tone as you go, you have almost certainly been left with some excess sagging skin. This can be incredibly frustrating, particularly when you have worked so hard to shift the pounds and achieve a healthier, slimmer appearance. Fortunately, there are cosmetic procedures that can help you address the stubborn layers of excess skin and fat, and help you achieve the smoother, toned silhouette that you deserve.

What is a lower body lift?

A lower body lift is a cosmetic surgery procedure that is designed to remove the extra skin on the lower half of the body, essentially combining a buttock lift, an outer thigh lift and a tummy tuck into one surgical procedure. As you can imagine, combining these means that the patient will have a much more significant recovery period. Nevertheless, they will be able to achieve an entire body transformation in just one surgery.

The procedure itself involves a thin, circumferential incision being created that extends around the body so that the ‘apron’ of excess fat and skin that is characteristic of massive weight loss can be removed. The skin across the buttocks, hips, and thighs will be pulled and tightened, as well as execution of a tummy tuck. The incisions are then closed in multiple layers over drains which will allow fluid to be removed and the skin to stretch to allow for natural post-operative swelling.

Recovery from a lower body lift?

You should expect to stay in hospital for at least one night after your lower body lift procedure. This will enable you to get the best possible start to your recovery process. Your body will be dressed in compression garments which will help to combat swelling and speed up the recovery process. You will also be given your aftercare instructions which you should follow precisely in order to minimize your risk of complications.

Your body will look bruised and may be sore for several weeks. You will be given pain relief to manage your discomfort. You may need help at home for up to four weeks while you recover, and you should avoid any strenuous activity for at least six to eight weeks, or longer if advised by your surgeon. The final results of your surgery should be visible within two to three months, while your scar will continue to fade over time, being considerably less obvious a year after your surgery.

Am I a good candidate for a lower body lift?

Every patient is assessed on an individual basis, but typically a good candidate for a lower body life will be a patient who:

• Has experienced dramatic weight loss due to dieting or bariatric surgery

• Is psychological distressed by the appearance of their sagging, excess skin

• Is experiencing health problems, such as infections and rashes, as a result of their overhanging skin

• Is a healthy, steady weight and has maintained this for at least a year, but ready to see their physical shape improved beyond what they can achieve themselves

• Has relatively thin layers of fat below the skin

• Is mentally prepared for the recovery period

• Is prepared to commit to an ongoing a healthy lifestyle in order to be able to maintain the results of their procedure

• Has realistic outcomes for their procedure

If you have undergone bariatric surgery prior to seeking a lower body lift, or you have been in any other type of massive weight reduction program, experts usually recommend that you wait until your weight has been stable for at least two years. This gives your body time to adjust to your new size, and your skin to shrink as much as possible.

You will also be asked whether or not you smoke. Smokers are generally not considered good candidates for all types of surgery, including a lower body lift. This is because smoking slows the healing process and increases the risk of complications. If you are prepared to quit smoking so that you can undergo a full body lift, you must be smoke-free for at least 6 to 8 weeks ahead of your surgery.

If you are considering a lower body lift and would like more information, or if you are ready to schedule your consultation with our experienced and dedicated plastic surgery team, please call our offices in Lafayette, LA on (337) 226-0400.