What is a Body lift?
A Body lift is a surgical procedure that results in the most dramatic transformation of the mid and lower body. It removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen, hips, outer thighs, and buttocks. People who have lost a lot of weight often choose a Body Lift to get rid of extra skin and fat.
Surgeons make an incision around the entire lower body, remove loose skin, and tighten the stomach muscles and full torso.
A Lower body lift includes:
Watch my Body Lift video to learn how removing skin can change your body.
What problems does a Body lift address?
You may be a candidate for a Body Lift if you experience:
- Significant weight loss that changes your body shape
- Loose skin around the abdomen, outer thighs, and posterior buttocks
- Excess fat tissue
- Weak or separated abdominal muscles
Are You a Good Candidate for a Body Lift?
Here's how to check if a Body Lift may be right for you:
- Abdomen: Do you have loose hanging skin over your abdomen? If so, you are a likely candidate for the Tummy Tuck.
- Outer thighs: Pinch the loose skin at your hips. Does lifting the skin make your legs look longer and slimmer? If yes, a Thigh lift might be a good option.
- Posterior buttocks: Reach behind and pinch the skin above your buttocks. A Butt lift can remove that loose skin and make your butt appear perkier.
How is a Lower body lift procedure performed?
A Lower Body lift combines a Tummy tuck, Outer thigh lift, and Posterior butt lift in one surgery. If needed, an Inner thigh lift, is performed in a separate session.
Anesthesia Options
This procedure is performed under IV sedation or General anesthesia. We prefer IV sedation because it allows faster recovery and lowers the risk of blood clots.
Our surgery center uses only board-certified anesthesiologists to ensure your safety and you can go home the same day.
Where is the Incision Made?
Before surgery, we mark the incision lines with you standing in front of a mirror. There are two horizontal incisions made, with a top boundary and a bottom boundary. The incisions go around the front and back of your body.
The area between the two horizontal lines (shown in pink in the image above) is the section of skin and tissue that will be removed. The upper and lower margins are then joined together and sutured together with dissolvable stitches.
We'll discuss the exact incision placements on the day of surgery to match your preference. The final scar is as low as possible so that it is hidden with low-cut panties or jeans.
Tissue dissection and wound closure
Our goal is to close the wound tightly without causing tension on the skin, which helps reduce scar thickness.
The Lockwood Technique to Prevent Fluid Accumulation
We use the Lockwood technique to limit tissue dissection, which lowers the risk of fluid buildup, reducing the chance of complications.
In the drawing below, the area dissected is illustrated in pink. You can see that the Lockwood technique has less tissue dissection than the standard surgical technique. Less dissection results in fewer complications.
Standard Technique
- Elevates more skin, creating more "empty" space underneath.
- This larger area is more prone to fluid accumulation.
- Less blood supply available to the skin flap.
Lockwood Technique
- Elevates less skin, leaving less "empty" space.
- Maintains better blood supply to the skin flap, which enhances healing.
- Reduces the chance of fluid buildup and other complications.
With the Lockwood technique, the following results are achieved:
- Thinner scar
- Lower risk of complications
- Flatter stomach and better results!
We have successfully used the Lockwood technique for over 25 years because it consistently delivers superior outcomes, with fewer complications and better overall results.
Pain Management
To control post-surgery pain, we use either Exparel or a pain pump to numb the area. These options offer long-lasting pain relief which helps you breathe better and recover faster.
What are the preoperative requirements?
Your procedure should be performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon in an accredited surgery center. Make sure that your facility is accredited by either Medicare, QuadA, or JCAHO.
To have the best results, ensure you meet these pre-surgery requirements:
- At least 18 months post-bariatric surgery
- Stable weight for 2 months
- BMI index less than 35 kg/m
- Complete H&P and a CBC blood test within 30 days of surgery
- Stop smoking 3-4 weeks before surgery
- Stop aspirin 2 weeks before surgery
- Schedule a pre-op appointment with your surgeon
- Read and sign the Informed Consent document
What is Body lift Post-Op recovery like?
Recovery takes about 3-4 weeks. Here is a brief timeline:
- Day 1 - 7: Bed rest with only walking to the bathroom, drink plenty of fluids
- Day 7: Post op office visit to remove pain pump and drains, and change the compression garment
- Weeks 1-3: No working or driving. Limit activity.
- Weeks 3-4: You can return to light work
- Weeks 6-8: Resume normal activities
What are the risks and possible complications?
As with any surgery, there are risks including:
- fluid buildup (seroma)
- Blood clots (DVT)
- Infection
- Poor wound healing
- unfavorable scarring
How much does a Lower body lift cost?
The Body lift cost depends on how long the surgery takes. Here are our current Body Lift prices for 2024:
| Body Lift Prices | 2024 Price |
|---|---|
| Body Lift- 7 hr | $17,500 |
| Body Lift- 9 hr | $21,000 |
Prices include the surgeon's fee, operating room fee, anesthesia fee, garments, pain control, and all post-op visits.
To understand more about the Body Lift costs, read this more detailed summary.
Can I finance my Lower body lift?
Yes, financing options are available to help manage the cost of your body lift. Call us at 410-404-8100 or see our financing page for more information.
I appreciated Dr. Rodriguez's vision for the overall plan of my surgical needs. As a gastric bypass patient I needed extensive work performed.
Ready to explore what's possible? I invite you to schedule a personal consultation, where we can talk about your goals, answer your questions, and create a plan that's uniquely yours.
Schedule Your Consultation Today!
Together, we'll find the perfect approach to help you look and feel your best.
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Board Certified Plastic Surgery, ASPS Member
NOTICE
Patients depicted in our before and after galleries have provided their written consent to display their photos online. Every patient is unique, and surgical results may vary. Please contact us if you have any questions.