The skin around our body begins to lose volume as we age due to time and gravity.
Although this probably brings cellulite (especially around your butt) to mind, board a board-certified plastic surgeon Alexis ParcellsMD, says that “skin wrinkling and loss of tone may occur throughout the body and may be particularly prevalent in the chest, trunk, and leg areas.”
Because of this, interest in body contouring procedures has increased. These cosmetic procedures are more commonly known as lower body lifts.
Parcells tells Healthline: “Lower body lifts describe the removal of excess skin and the lifting of the chest, torso and extremities (arms and legs). It can be divided into upper body lift, which includes breast lift and arm lift, and lower body lift, which includes tummy tuck, thigh lift and buttock lift.
If you’re interested in a lower body lift, Parcells and another board-certified plastic surgeon break down everything you need to know about the procedure, including eligibility, downtime, benefits and more.
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- belly
- pubic area
- sides
- side thighs
- back
While this is generally considered cosmetic surgery, it is often used after someone has undergone a dramatic weight loss.
Procedurally speaking, a lower body lift usually involves the removal of skin as well as the resurfacing and resurfacing of your own body tissue. This can result in a more youthful appearance and tone, according to Parcells.
“Along with tightening the abdominal wall muscles and removing excess skin from the abdomen, thighs and buttocks, the procedure often incorporates liposuction to achieve some balance between the torso and thighs,” says Parcells.
A lower body lift involves removing excess skin, fat and tissue in the lower abdomen, as well as reshaping and tightening your thighs, buttocks and sides, according to Parcells. If this is something you want to achieve, there may be benefits to this process.
In addition to removing excess skin, lower body lifts have been linked to psychological benefits, including an improved sense of body image.
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Similarly, research has revealed that lower body lifts can also improve the quality of life of bariatric surgery patients. To be more specific, a small
Lower body lift procedures may be associated with certain risks.
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Some likely lower body lift hazards include:
- the appearance does not look like what you expected
- internal bleeding
- blood clots
- death of adipose tissue under the skin
- accumulation of fluid in the surgical area (edema)
- loss of sensation in the skin
- swelling in the legs
- the skin remains loose or loose
- permanent scars
- infections
Below are before and after pictures of a lower body lift.
Keep in mind that everyone’s body is different. Not everyone will have the same results. Factors that can affect results include:
- how much work you choose to have done
- how closely you follow the aftercare instructions
- the skill and experience of your surgeon
- your general health
While a lower body lift can be helpful to eliminate excess skin after major weight loss, Parcells explains that this is a one-off procedure that can have a dramatic effect on a person’s body.
Because of this, he says, “this procedure should only be performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon experienced in body contouring.”
In addition to a plastic surgeon’s expertise, Parcells suggests it’s best to consult with a doctor before your procedure so they can do an extensive history and physical exam to make sure you’re not at high risk for complications, such as delayed wound healing or blood clots blood.
Parcells explains that “an ideal candidate for a lower body lift is someone with excess skin in the lower abdomen and loose abdominal wall muscles, who also has cellulite or loose and wrinkled skin along the thighs and buttocks.”
In addition to tightening sagging skin, those who have experienced massive weight loss are other excellent candidates for this procedure, according to a board-certified plastic, reconstructive and cosmetic surgeon. Ben LeeMD, FACS.
“Lower body lift procedures involve a 360-degree excision of excess skin [around the trunk], often combined with automatic buttock augmentation,” Lee tells Healthline. “This essentially means that a tummy tuck type operation is performed by excision of excess back skin in a circumferential fashion. Instead of removing all the excess tissue on the backside, some can be left in place to enhance the buttocks. A medial thigh lift is sometimes included to improve laxity of the inner thighs.”
But Lee cautions that there are people who are not good candidates for this procedure. This includes people with conditions such as heart and major respiratory diseases, as well as kidney and liver failure. Lee states that those with diabetes are eligible if their condition is properly managed.
According to Lee, preparation for any surgery begins with a consultation with one reliable and experienced surgeon.
“They can help you do your research and help you navigate the often confusing and contradictory information you can find online,” explains Lee. “It’s important to make sure you’re in the best possible health, so a consultation with your primary care physician is extremely helpful.”
Maintaining a balanced diet is also essential for healing after surgery, Lee says.
“You will be asked not to smoke or drink in the weeks before your procedure as these can have a negative effect on wound healing. You should stop taking things that will make you bleed more, such as aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and fish oil,” she adds.
“A lower body lift takes several hours to complete,” Lee tells Healthline. While the procedure can vary from person to person, below are some general steps a surgeon will follow to perform this procedure, according to Lee.
- On the day of surgery, you will be prepared in the pre-operative area. The surgeon and anesthesiologist will take a final look at your labs and medical history.
- Once the first step is complete, Lee says, “special care is taken to prevent blood clots, so you may be given an anticoagulant and anti-embolism devices will be placed in your lower legs.”
- The surgeon then makes trial surgical marks of the skin to be removed. Your surgical team then takes you to the operating room and gives you anesthesia.
- Your team will apply monitoring devices and prepare and dress you for surgery. The surgeon then proceeds to excise the excess skin taking great care to minimize blood loss.
- According to Lee, most of the surgery consists of closing the wound in several layers, and drains are used to remove excess fluid tissue. Your surgeon may use surgical staples. After the wound is closed, they will apply bandages.
- Once the surgery is complete, you are then extubated and taken to the recovery area. “If your procedure was extensive, you may need an overnight stay for monitoring and pain control,” adds Lee.
“You should prepare your home for a safe recovery,” Lee says. To do this, he advises the following:
- Arrange for someone to drive you home and help you during the early days of recovery.
- Because surgery will affect your mobility, try to have supplies, food and water, clothing, and medicine readily available.
- Although you should avoid strenuous activities as you heal, you should move to prevent blood clots.
- Above all, always be sure to follow the instructions given to you by your surgeon. This includes wound care, taking medications, and keeping follow-up visits.
When a lower body lift is performed correctly, Lee says, “it can remove excess skin that results from massive weight loss, whether through diet and exercise or bariatric weight loss surgery. Recovery is difficult and there may be difficulties in wound healing given the extensive incisions involved.’
You’ll be left with visible scars, says Parcells.
But he explains that “the scar required for the procedure is placed very low on the abdomen, generally in the pubic area, runs higher on the thighs to maintain the aesthetic appeal of the thigh, and continues along the back, just above the buttocks.”
Parcells adds that the scar usually heals well and can be hidden by most modern underwear and swimwear.
In terms of coverage, Lee says lower body lifts are usually elective procedures not covered by insurance. However, some insurance carriers may cover the cost of the surgery, especially if they covered the initial weight loss surgery, she explains.
You can use it Find a Surgeon tool from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons to find a surgeon who specializes in this procedure near you.
While a lower body lift can remove excess skin resulting from weight loss through diet and exercise or bariatric weight loss surgery, it is best to approach this surgery under the guidance of a trained surgeon.
Make sure you follow all professional guidelines and maintain a balanced diet to see the best possible results.
