Removing excess skin after weight loss

Modified on | by Dr. Ricardo L. Rodriguez

The Body lift procedure removes excess skin from the stomach, hips, and buttocks. Patients who have experienced a large weight loss (from Ozempic, Wegovy, Semaglutide or Tirzepatide, or from Gastic surgery) are the typical candidates for the procedure. The Body lift is a Tummy tuck, an outer thigh lift, and a buttock lift performed in the same operative session.

The Body lift procedure results in a complete transformation of the lower body. The Body lift combines a Tummy tuck, posterior butt lift, and outer thigh lift in one operative session. Although it is common for the procedure to be performed on patients who have experienced massive weight loss, it can also be performed on anybody who desires a tightening of skin in their lower body profile.

The Body lift combines a Tummy tuck, posterior butt lift, and outer thigh lift in one operative session. – Dr. Rodriguez in Baltimore

Body Lift performed with IV Anesthesia instead of General Anesthesia

I perform all  Body lift procedures in my Quad A accredited outpatient surgery center in Baltimore, Maryland. For the past 17 years (in my own Facility), I have been performing all Body Lift procedures under IV sedation, instead of General anesthesia. This has made a dramatic difference to the percentage of post op anesthesia complications.

IV sedation with propofol carries a much lower risk of DVT and pulmonary embolism compared to General Anesthesia. The risk of these conditions is at least 10 fold more with General Anesthesia compared to IV sedation. With General Anesthesia the risk of complications goes up dramatically after 4 hours of sedation. Since most all body lifts take longer than 4 hours in the Operating Room, the risk of DVT with the use of General Anesthesia is a significant risk. The use of IV sedation instead means a much lower risk of these complications.

In addition, the recovery from IV Sedation is much faster and well tolerated by the patient. With IV sedation, patients have less nausea and rarely have any vomiting.

For all of these reasons, the choice of IV sedation with propofol instead of General Anesthesia for your Body Lift procedure is an important one!

Lockwood technique for Body Lift- Why?

For the past few years I have exclusively used the Lockwood technique for Body lift procedures. I believe that this technique achieves the *best* results with the least amount of postoperative complications. Since the Lockwood sutures tighter in the deeper layers, the incision scars on the surface can heal better and thinner. This means less seromas and hematomas for patients.

When the superficial tissues are not under tension, they are less stressed, and the wound closure can heal better. This typically results in a thinner scar. In addition, the Lockwood technique promotes faster healing because of increased blood supply . Blood supply is vital for proper healing. Over the years I have tried different techniques and I am convinced that the Lockwood technique is the best one.

Over 25 years experience with Body lift

I have well over 25 years Experience performing the Lower body lift procedure in one operative session. In addition, I have performed the individual component elements of the surgery for 30 years!

Body lift offers dramatic change

I have prepared this video to give you an overview of the Body lift procedure. The body lift is a great procedure which makes a dramatic change in your body. I love doing this procedure.

A big thank you to my son Rico for producing this educational video.

(Originally published on March 21, 2009)

By Dr. Ricardo L. Rodriguez MD Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Cosmeticsurg Baltimore, Maryland Ricardo L. Rodriguez on American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

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6 thoughts on “Removing excess skin after weight loss”

  • Maria says:

    That's the exact video I watched before posting. Is there any way I can send a photo to get an idea of what I need? I live in MD, so once I have an idea of what I need, I can explain to my husband before setting a consultation. He seems to think exercise and time is all I need. Thanks :-)

    • Dr. Ricardo L Rodriguez says:

      Maria, You can schedule a virtual consult by contacting Kelly, our Patient Coordinator at 410-494-8100. Kelly will ask you to send your photographs before we speak by phone. There is a $75 cost for the virtual consult, but when you come into the office for your 'in-person' consult, there will not be a charge. Also the fee goes towards the cost of the surgery. Looking forward to hearing back from you. Happy Holidays!

  • Maria says:

    Im a young mother who had 2 c-sections, no matter how much i work out i still look 3 months pregnant with lose skin. i don't have extra skin or fat any where else but on my tummy and it bothers me so much cause I'm still young. would i need a full or mini tuck? an is it safe since i had two c-sections? Thanks

    • Dr. Ricardo L Rodriguez says:

      Maria: I think you need a muscle repair, but I would have to see pictures to know for sure. In the meantime, look at this video because I think it will help you understand better. Contact Kelly at kelly@cosmeticsurg.net And thank you for your service to the country.

  • Mary Havens says:

    I am 29 years old, 5'10, 135lbs, had two pregnancies. The first one, 9 years ago, I weighed 247 lbs at delivery. The second one, one and a half years ago, I weighed 184 at delivery. With my second child, I breast fed for a little over a year. With such dramatic increases and decreases in my weight along with the changes of pregnancy, I am left with sagging skin on my thighs, a droopy butt, a wrinkled stretched mark abs. and stretched empty breast tissue/skin. I work out 6 days a week doing cardio and weight training, I eat a healty diet, I always moisturize my skin, none of it is helping my skin. I feel like I am in the best shape of my life, I just don't look like it. I am interested in having the lower body lift, a breast augmentation with lift and possibly vaginal rejuvenation. The Complete Mom Make Over/ weight lose repair surgery. Is it possible to have the entire package done in the same session? Also how long would recovery be from doing so much at once, if it is possible? A generalized price range (I know each case is different based on all kinds of various factors) for the complete package would also be helpful. Thank you in advance for your support in this matter.

    • Dr. Ricardo L Rodriguez says:

      I think you are doing all the right things. Kudos to you for getting in shape and taking control of your life. Unfortunately, the skin does not recover once it has been stretched beyond a certain point. Fortunately, modern surgical techniques can take care of the excess skin. This can all be done at once in a relatively risk free way when done with Intravenous sedation anesthesia, as we routinely do at cosmeticsurg.net. Using general anesthesia will increase the risk. Recovery is usually 3-4 weeks, usually to allow time for the muscle repair in the tummy tuck to heal. We would be delighted to help you, as you are the type of patient who has already taken initiative on her own. You have come a long way, congratulations!