Lower Body Lift Information
Background on lower body lifts
It is an unfortunate fact of life that skin droops as it ages. This is because our skin stops producing proteins called elastin and collagen, which firm and tone the skin. Once these chemicals are gone, gravity does the rest. While all skin experiences some drooping over the years, the lower half of the body often bears the greatest brunt of the effects of gravity. Fortunately, cosmetic surgery can correct a great deal of these outcomes. A lower body lift tightens the buttocks, thighs, and hips to provide smoother, younger looking skin.Best candidate for a lower body lift
The best candidates for a lower body lift procedure are in relatively good shape, but have loose lower body skin or fat that won't be alleviated through exercise or dieting. These circumstances could be a result of pregnancy or aging. Additionally, the best candidates for lower body lift surgery should be in good health and have a realistic expectation of the benefits that plastic surgery can provide.Uncertainty and Risk of a lower body lift
All forms of surgery have a level of uncertainty and risk. Plastic surgery and the lower body lift operation are no exception. Your doctor will be able to discuss any concerns with you during your initial consultation.Planning for a lower body lift surgery
During your initial consultation, your plastic surgeon will discuss the body lift surgery with you in great detail. This will include a discussion of your health and family history to ensure safety. The operation is highly tailored to the needs of each individual patient, with some people choosing to undergo additional operations such as abdominoplasty. It is important to be open with your doctor so that your expectations and goals are fully understood. Through effective communication, you will work together to achieve the shape you've always desired.Preparing for your lower body lift
Prior to surgery, your doctor will give you specific guidelines regarding eating, drinking, and smoking habits. Additionally, you will receive specific information on the anesthesia to be used and the recovery process for this form of plastic surgery. You will also need to arrange for someone to drive you home after surgery, as you will most likely still be feeling the effects of anesthesia.
Where the lower body lift surgery is performed
Lower body lift surgery is an extensive procedure that often combines more than one plastic surgery operation. As such, it usually requires a one night or longer hospital stay. Therefore, this operation is commonly performed in a hospital, although the procedure may take place in an outpatient surgical clinic. Your doctor will work with you to determine a location that will provide the highest level of comfort and safety during your lower body lift procedure.Anesthesia
Due to the extensiveness of the lower body lift, the surgery is almost always done under general anesthesia. This means that the patient is asleep during the operation and feels no pain while the surgery is taking place.How the lower body lift surgery is performed
The lower body lift procedure involves strategically placed incisions that are used by a plastic surgeon to reshape a patient's body contours. The body is sculpted by lifting, tightening and shaping skin, reducing fat; and smoothing and reducing overlying skin. Depending on the patient, long cuts may be required and the areas operated on may include the buttocks, thighs, lower back, and hips. The duration of the surgery may take from four to five hours.Post-op
After lower body lift surgery, dressings will be applied and temporary tubes are used to drain excess fluid from the area of surgery. Patients are usually dressed in a compression garment or wrapped in tight bandages to reduce swelling and help the skin adjust to its new contours. A brief hospital stay may be required, although it is important to walk as soon as possible to keep blood circulating. Within a week after surgery you will be back to a modified daily routine, and within two weeks you can return to your daily life with your improved shape and a new sense of confidence.Lower Body Lift Methods
Belt liftThe belt lift refers to a plastic surgery procedure in which the area where a belt would rest is sculpted to a more desired shape. This is accomplished through targeted incisions where excess fat and skin is removed. The belt lift operation has had impressive results for many patients, although not all people are considered good candidates for the procedure.
Belt lipectomy
The belt lipectomy procedure involves a circumferential incision around the waist and back. Through this incision extra skin and tissue are removed and the area is reshaped to be more aesthetically pleasing. The results of a belt lipectomy can be dramatic and long-lasting, provided the patient lives a post-operative healthy lifestyle.
Thong lift
The thong lift procedure involves the removal of excess skin and fat tissue from the buttocks and surrounding areas. Through plastic surgery, the area is then reshaped and designed to heal into a more attractive form.
Lateral tension lift
The lateral tension lift targets the waist and nearby areas of the body. This form of plastic surgery uses incisions to remove unwanted tissue and sculpt the body into a more desirable shape. When combined with a high lateral tension lift, or abdominoplasty, the results can be dramatic and very pleasing for patients.
Torsoplasty
The torsoplasty is an extended version of the tummy tuck. Torsoplasty is frequently combined with other plastic surgery operations including liposuction to achieve a patient's desired result. Through torsoplasty and a responsible recovery period, patients can experience the dramatic and long-lasting benefits of plastic surgery firsthand.
Circumferential lift
The circumferential body lift is a surgical operation designed to remove extra skin and tissue from the middle and lower abdominal area. The results of the circumferential lift can be very dramatic, changing the patient's body contours significantly.
Circumferential torsoplasty
The circumferential torsoplasty operation involves a circular incision around the body that is used to access unwanted excess fat tissue or skin. This extensive procedure has been likened to a "face-lift for the trunk" and can have dramatic results for patients who cannot attain a desired body through liposuction or other less-invasive techniques.
Central body lift
The central body lift combines abdominoplasty, a lateral thigh lift, and buttock lift to completely reshape a patient's central body. This extensive plastic surgery procedure sculpts the body by removing excess fat tissue and skin to expose the appealing curves beneath.
Lower body lift
The lower body lift is a surgical procedure that reshapes specific target zones or the entire area from the waist through the hips. A lower body lift can sculpt the stomach, love handles, hips and thighs, and buttocks. The lower body lift typically includes an abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck. It is one of the most dramatic and fastest-growing plastic surgery procedures.
Circumferential panniculectomy
The circumferential panniculectomy is a procedure used to surgically remove excess fat and skin that hangs from the lower abdomen of obese patients. This operation is commonly done after an individual has lost a massive amount of weight and wishes to remove extra skin that has lost its elasticity.
Circumferential lipectomy
The circumferential lipectomy operation removes excess fat from around a patient's body. After fat is removed, skin is reshaped to attain a more ideal form. The circumferential lipectomy is a form of plastic surgery that can have appealing benefits for many patients who have always wished for a more socially admired body.
Lower Body Lift Surgery Statistics
- In 2001, there were over 4,000 lower body lift procedures performed in the United States.
- In 2002, for both men and women the lower body lift procedure accounted for less than 1% of total plastic surgery operations worldwide.
- There were 43 times more lower body lifts in 2004 than in 2000.
Lower Body Lift Methods
How do I know if I am a good candidate for a lower body lift?If you have gained and lost a lot of weight and suffer from loose skin, you may be a good candidate for a lower body lift. If you are in relatively good health, your plastic surgeon can use this procedure to eliminate excess skin and fat and sculpt your body to a more desirable shape.
What is the evaluation process my plastic surgeon will use to determine if I should get a lower body lift?
The most common cause for a body lift is skin that does not conform to the contours of the body because of poor elasticity. Your plastic surgeon will provide you with a consultation and will discuss your health and family history as well as your needs and expectations. During this consultation you will work with your doctor to determine the best course of action to take regarding your plastic surgery treatment.
When will I be informed about the cost of surgery?
Every plastic surgery procedure is unique and specifically tailored to the needs of each patient. Your plastic surgeon will go over the costs of your lower body lift surgery during the consultation.
Where are the incisions placed for the lower body lift?
The location of lower body lift incisions is dependent on the patient, but they generally include the buttocks, thighs, lower back, or hips. During your consultation your plastic surgeon will explain the procedure in detail.
What are some of the risks involved in the lower body lift surgery?
Every form of surgery has a certain amount of risk. Your plastic surgeon will address any concerns you may have during your consultation.
What preparations should I make before lower body lift surgery?
Your plastic surgeon will provide you with specific guidelines on eating, drinking, and smoking habits. It is important to follow these instructions carefully to ensure a safe operation without any complications. You should also prepare for the surgery by arranging a ride home after the operation because you will still be feeling the effects of anesthesia.
What will happen on the day of surgery?
Lower body lift surgery is a broad operation that usually requires a hospital stay, although the procedure may take place in an outpatient surgical clinic. After checking in and meeting with doctors, the patient is given anesthesia and surgery is conducted while the patient's vital signs are closely monitored. When the operation is complete, the patient is continually looked over while the anesthesia wears off and he or she regains consciousness.
How will I look immediately following the surgery?
The new shape of areas that have been operated on is visible immediately. To ensure long-term results, you may be wrapped in elastic bandages or dressed in a compression garment to minimize swelling and allow the skin to conform to new body contours.
When can my normal activities be resumed?
Your plastic surgeon will explain that you should walk and be mobile as soon as possible after surgery. This will promote good blood circulation and aid in the healing process. Within a week after lower body lift surgery you will likely be back to a slightly altered daily routine. Within two weeks you can resume your normal daily life, although strenuous exercise, pushing, lifting, and bending should be avoided.
How long will the effects of lower body lift surgery last?
By maintaining a stable weight, eating healthy, and exercising regularly you can benefit from permanent lower body lift results. Leading a healthy lifestyle will prevent your shape from bulging again will allow you to gain the most from plastic surgery.