Lower Body Lift

A lower body lift, also known as a belt lipectomy, is a dramatic surgical procedure designed to remove excess skin and fat from the abdomen, hips and lower back; to lift and shape the buttocks and outer thighs; and to tighten the underlying muscles of the abdomen. This surgery combines a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), a thigh lift, and a buttock lift for individuals who have excess lower body fat and skin as a result of aging, pregnancy, significant weight loss, or a loss of skin elasticity.

To begin the lower body lift procedure, the plastic surgeon makes an incision around the waist, across the lower abdomen, and down the inner thighs. Inner thigh lift incisions are then extended to the hip and end just above the buttock crease. Excess skin and fat is removed and the abdominal muscles are tightened and stitched into place. Drains are typically placed in the incisions to avoid fluid build up during healing. Some surgeons have patients use a body compression garment in addition to light dressings over the incisions.

The surgery utilizes general anesthesia (the patient is asleep), takes approximately 6-7 hours, and typically requires an overnight stay in the hospital or surgical center. Most individuals undergoing a lower body lift usually take 2 to 3 weeks off from work. Normal activities can usually be resumed 4 to 6 weeks after surgery. The final shaping results are apparent approximately 3 months after the lower body lift. Scars from surgery tend to fade across time, and are typically easily concealed by swimsuits or underwear.
The best candidates for a lower body lift are physically and mentally healthy adults who have excess or loose sagging lower body skin, weakened lower body muscles, and small to moderate amount of excess fat that is concentrated beneath lower body skin. People interested in a lower body lift should also have realistic expectations about the outcome of the procedure; the surgeon will not be able to return someone’s skin or body to teenage or early adulthood appearance.  Surgery will also not completely reverse the effects of aging or significant weight gain, and is not permanent (i.e., skin naturally sags and loosens with aging). 
Individuals who are planning on becoming pregnant, or loosing or gaining significant amounts of weight should delay lower body lift procedures, as these situations will stretch or loosen the skin and detract from the positive benefits of surgery.