What is a Lower Body Lift?
Lower body lift is a plastic surgery procedure designed to improve body contour by removing excess skin and fatty tissue from the lower back, outer thighs, buttocks and abdomen. During this procedure, the muscles of the abdomen are also tightened and fatty deposits are repositioned and sculpted with liposuction. This surgical solution addresses irregular contours, excess fat and loose, sagging skin. A patient that chooses to investigate this procedure may simply have loss of elasticity due to aging changes or often has experienced a significant weight loss resulting in skin laxity or sagging skin. The abdominal area may have muscle weakness that has left the patient with an overhang of skin and stretched abdominal muscles, resulting in a prominent “pooch”. The lower back may have skin folds or “back fat” and the buttocks may seem low and shapeless. Incorporated into lifting the lower body is a combination of several procedures that usually includes an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), an outer thigh and a buttock lift. The anticipated surgical result is a flatter abdomen, narrower waistline, reduction of lower back folds and lifting of the outer thighs and buttocks.
Candidates for a Lower Body Lift
Although lower body lift is an excellent procedure for many patients that experience skin overhang or laxity, it is not a solution for obesity. Body lift should be postponed until the patient has reached and maintained a realistic body weight for at least 3 months.
Lower Body Lift Procedure
Dr. Meeks performs the lower body lift procedure at Olympic Plastic Surgery Center’s private surgery facility or at St. Anthony Hospital. This procedure is always done under general anesthesia and usually is completed in 4 to 6 hours. Dr. Meeks will mark the anticipated area of skin removal prior to the procedure so that the scar will be able to be hidden beneath undergarments.
The surgical procedure begins with the patient on their tummy to treat the back, buttocks, and lateral thighs. The patient is then repositioned to perform an abdominoplasty which corrects the lax abdominal muscles and tightens the abdomen skin while recreating the “belly button”. Liposuction may be performed in order to sculpt remaining fatty deposits prior to the final skin tightening. All areas of skin excision will be carefully and meticulously sutured and drains will be placed under the skin to evacuate any fluid that may ooze after the procedure.
Recovery after a Lower Body Lift
Immediately after the procedure a dressing and a surgical garment will be applied and are to remain undisturbed for 2 days. Most patients elect to stay in the hospital or an aftercare facility for 1 or 2 days. Although minimal walking is encouraged after the first day, the patient needs to avoid prolonged periods of walking or standing for the next 2 weeks and will require some help doing day to day chores and activities at home. Exercise may be resumed 6 weeks after surgery. Oral pain medications are prescribed for pain management.
Will I Have Scarring after a Lower Body Lift?
The scars on the back and abdomen will remain red for the first 2 to 3 months and will usually fade over the next year. Although the surgical scar will never disappear completely, it becomes very acceptable for most patients. Most swelling has resolved between 6 weeks and 3 months after surgery.
Possible Risks of a Lower Body Lift
Though rare, post-operative complications from any surgical procedure are possible. They may include infection, blood clots, and poor healing, which may require further surgery.
Patients who have had previous abdominal surgery should know that their old scars could be raised, stretched or generally more noticeable after the lower body lift procedure. A scar revision procedure after a lower body lift can help minimize the appearance of unsightly scars.
Alternative Options to Body Lift Surgery
Liposuction may be an alternative surgical procedure utilized for a patient that has good skin tone and localized fatty deposits only. Often, skin contraction occurs and skin reduction is not necessary.
After massive weight loss, there are many surgical procedures that the patient may benefit from. Some of the most common procedures covered individually on this site include:
- Arm lift (brachioplasty) a procedure that is used to correct sagging skin of the upper arm caused by aging changes or weight loss.
- Medial thigh lift to remove excess skin of the inner thigh if large folds and sagging skin are present.
- Breast lift with or without breast augmentation to rejuvenate the breast to the desired shape and size.
- Breast reduction to lift sagging large breasts to an appropriate size for the recontoured body.
Schedule a Consultation with Dr. Meeks
To learn more about body contouring and other plastic surgery options offered by Dr. Meeks, please call our office at 360-286-2456. We serve Silverdale, WA and nearby areas.
