How is a lower body lift performed?
A lower body lift is typically an outpatient procedure. There are different lower body lift techniques, with varying levels of fat and skin removal.
A complete lower body lift, also called a belt lipectomy, treats the buttocks, abdomen, waist, hips, and thighs in one procedure (often a part of a mommy makeover). The lower body lift extends the tummy tuck incision completely around the lower torso, which allows your surgeon to lift the thighs and tighten the buttocks and execute the traditional tummy tuck. The length and the pattern of your incisions depend on how much extra skin you have and where that skin is on your body.
Below are the general steps for a complete lower body lift; however, you should speak with your aesthetic plastic surgeon about what may be unique to you.
- Your surgeon will create a circumferential incision extending around your torso and remove excess skin and fat below the incision.
- Your surgeon will pull the remaining skin around your buttocks and thighs upward and tighten your skin and underlying tissues. You will be on your tummy or side during this part of the procedure.
- After your surgeon treats your back and sides, your surgeon will turn you to be on your back to treat your front side.
- At this point, two options are available, which your surgeon will discuss with you pre-operatively. One option is to combine the lower body lift with a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty). The other option is to combine the lower body lift with an inner thigh lift if you don’t need abdominal contouring (or you already had a tummy tuck).
- Your surgeon will close your incisions in multiple layers, over drains, to control stretching and swelling. Your surgeon will apply deep support sutures within the underlying tissues to form the newly shaped contours and will use sutures, skin adhesives, or tapes to close the incisions.
What are my lower body lift options?
The complimentary lower body lift procedures you receive will depend on the amount of excess skin and fat you have and your desired results. Consult with your board-certified aesthetic plastic surgeon to determine the best option for you.
Lower Body Lift Combined With Liposuction
You may benefit from liposuction with your lower body lift to achieve the best possible contour. Liposuction can smooth and contour areas separate from the effects of the body lift excisions.
Lower Body Lift Combined With Abdominoplasty or Thigh Lift
You can combine your lower body lift with a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) or combine your lower body lift with a thigh lift if you don’t need abdominal contouring (or you already had a tummy tuck).