What Is a Lower Body Lift?
Lower body lift is a surgical procedure designed to remove excess skin from the outer thighs and buttocks. It is a procedure that commonly is performed in patients who have lost a large amount of weight and have loose sagging skin. This procedure can dramatically tighten the loose skin on the outer thighs and buttocks.
The use of state-of-the-art techniques allow for the preservation of volume in the buttocks thereby preventing a flattening effect. This procedure is performed most commonly with an abdominoplasty so that the entire waist line is sculpted. The scar can usually be concealed below underwear.
Is Lower Body Lift Surgery Right for Me?
Patients of any age with loose skin on the buttocks and outer thighs may be candidates for this procedure.
Lower Body Lift Surgery Risks
A lower body lift tightens the skin on the buttocks and thighs but
does involve a permanent scar, and is considered major surgery.
Portions of the wound may be slow to heal and require treatment with
gauze dressings.
In addition to the risks associated with
anesthesia, infection and bleeding can occur but are uncommon. In rare
cases, patients may experience prolonged or even permanent leg swelling
(lymphedema).
Not every person is a candidate for this procedure, and your risks
may be greater or different than those of other patients. Your plastic
surgeon will review all potential risks and complications with you prior
to the surgery.
Before Your Lower Body Lift
Your plastic surgeon will perform a comprehensive evaluation of your lower body including any scars from previous surgeries.
Your plastic surgeon will give you specific guidelines about preparing for surgery including:
- Smoking cessation
- Medications to avoid
- When to take your prescribed medications
- Proper washing techniques
- Restrictions regarding eating and drinking the night before surgery
Your plastic surgeon will listen carefully to your concerns about excess skin on your thighs and buttocks, and your surgical goals and expectations. The length and position of the scar on your thighs and buttocks can vary, depending on whether the excess tissue is based high above the buttocks or low around the saddlebags.
A common alternative to removal of the skin is liposuction. Although this option usually avoids long scars, it may make the loose skin worse. The risks and benefits of all procedures will be discussed in greater detail at your initial consultation.
It’s important to know that although the lower body lift can have a significant impact on the outer portion of the thighs, it will not change the appearance of the inner thighs. The inner thighs are best treated with a thigh lift. In most cases, your surgeon will recommend performing the lower bodylift and the inner thighlift at separate times to maximize safety, and to achieve the best results.
In addition to the aesthetic evaluation, your surgeon will perform a careful evaluation of your overall health, as well as issues that could cause complications, such as:
- Your blood pressure
- Bleeding tendencies
- History of adverse scar formation after previous surgeries
Where Will I Have My Lower Body Lift?
The surgery usually is performed in a hospital and you’ll have a one or two night stay in the hospital. You must be driven to and from the hospital by a friend or family member.
Type of anesthesia for lower body lift surgery
Lower body lift is done under general anesthesia.
Recovery After Lower Body Lift Surgery
In most cases, patients may experience pain in the thighs and buttocks for the first two or three days. Compressive wraps are placed on the legs.
Most patients will be able to go out in public in four to five days but vigorous physical activity is limited for four weeks following surgery.
What Results Should I Expect After My Lower Body Lift?
Lower body lift usually produces a tightened and more attractive appearance of the buttocks and thighs. The permanent scar may stay thick and red, but tends to fade over time and reaches its final appearance over 12 to 18 months.
