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LOWER BODY LIFT, BUTTOCK LIFT, AND THIGH LIFT

A CUSTOMIZED COMBINATION OF BODY SCULPTING PROCEDURES TO ENHANCE LOWER BODY CONTOURS IN THE PHILADELPHIA AND VILLANOVA AREA

If you would like to address significant skin concerns, you might benefit from a surgical “lift” or “tuck.” Some common examples of procedures used to enhance the lower body include thigh lifts and buttock lifts. Getting a surgical body lift is often the only way for patients to get a large amount of loose skin removed after major weight loss. A lower body lift in Philadelphia or Villanova from Cross Medical Group can address sagging skin and excess fat on the lower midsection—as well features below that—to improve overall contours. Whether choosing an overall lower body lift or a buttock lift or thigh lift on its own, the procedure can help define key areas to create a smoother, more toned, and proportional look. Lift procedures can target the waistline, abdominal area, thighs, and buttocks for a shapelier, tighter, and more youthful appearance. Patients often feel much more confident after a surgical body lift procedure, have a general improvement in their quality of life, and feel like it’s the culmination of a long weight loss journey.

LOWER BODY LIFT VS. TUMMY TUCK: HOW THEY COMPARE

People are often unsure about how to decide between a tummy tuck and body lift. They sometimes wonder whether a tummy tuck is included in a lower body lift or ask if a lower body lift is the same thing as a tummy tuck. Although body lifts and tummy tuck surgeries have some similarities, such as the fact that they involve the removal of excess skin and tightening of abdominal muscles, there are some notable differences between them. A tummy tuck focuses entirely on the front of the abdominal area, whereas a lower body lift treats the lower abdominal area, buttocks, thighs, and back.

COMPONENTS OF THE LOWER BODY LIFT AND OTHER BODY LIFT PROCEDURES

A body lift is a type of plastic surgery that typically combines several procedures designed to reduce excess skin and resistant fat from specific areas. These procedures are highly rewarding for patients who are bothered by loose skin and excess fat that won’t go away with diet and exercise alone. Some body lifts are designed to sculpt the lower body in particular.

For those who would like to know how a lower body lift works or how to know whether they need a thigh lift or buttock lift, here are some details about the techniques used for these procedures:

LOWER BODY LIFT

A lower body lift or belt lipectomy is a customized combination of body contouring procedures that enhances the appearance of the belt line by removing loose skin from the lower part of the abdomen and buttocks. Sometimes a lower body lift may include a tummy tuck, thigh lift, and buttock lift.

THIGH LIFT

A thigh lift is a procedure that reshapes the inner and outer parts of the thighs. Incisions allow for the removal of excess fat and skin, as well as the repositioning of tissues.

BUTTOCK LIFT

In a buttock lift, sagging skin and excess fat are removed as a way of improving the shape of the buttocks.

WHY SOME PEOPLE GET A LOWER BODY LIFT, THIGH LIFT, OR BUTTOCK LIFT

Patients often have questions about how to know when a lower body lift is necessary for them. After an individual has lost a large amount of weight, the skin sometimes will not tighten on its own even with diet and exercise. A lower body lift is designed to get rid of excess tissue and tighten areas. Lower body lift surgery and similar procedures can make it easier for patients to feel comfortable in tight-fitting clothing or to exercise and perform daily activities.

• Reshaping mid-body and lower body contours.
• Correcting sagging skin and fat due to aging or excessive weight loss.
• Addressing pockets of stubborn fat on specific areas and stretched skin caused by multiple pregnancies.

COMMON CAUSES OF SAGGING ON THE LOWER BODY

The aging process can cause a variety of changes to the body. One of the most significant changes is the skin losing elasticity, causing the midsection and lower body to lose their natural shape and firmness. Laxity and sagging are often made worse by pregnancy, sun exposure, genetic factors, or significant changes in weight, whether from a rapidly successful diet or weight loss surgery. Sagging of the abdomen, buttocks, and thighs can occur due to the poor skin elasticity.

CANDIDATES FOR A LOWER BODY LIFT, THIGH LIFT, OR BUTTOCK LIFT

Individuals who would like to enhance their body contours are often unsure about whether they would make them a good candidates for a lower body lift. Sometimes a good diet and exercise routine on their own aren’t enough to address unwanted changes on the lower body. Furthermore, stretched skin due to weight loss, aging, genetics, or pregnancy isn’t likely to snap back into place on its own. If you have excess skin on the lower body, stretched or weakened abdominal muscles, and loose or wrinkled skin on the thighs or buttocks, you may be an ideal candidate for a lower body lift.

If you are unhappy with the appearance of your thighs, you may be a good thigh lift candidate. Similarly, individuals who want to improve the contours of the buttocks may be good buttock lift candidates. Candidates for lower body lifts and the other mentioned procedures should be in good overall health and at a stable weight in order to best maintain their results in the future. It’s important to recognize that body lifts are not solely intended for the removal of excess fat, unlike liposuction, which is designed specifically to reduce pockets of excess fat. However, in cases where a patient has poor skin elasticity and wants to also reduce pockets of fat, liposuction can be combined with body lift techniques.

HOW TO PREPARE FOR A LOWER BODY LIFT, THIGH LIFT, OR BUTTOCK LIFT

This is a transformative procedure that is designed to give you a more sculpted and toned physique. Knowing how to prepare your body can help you to maximize the results and promote optimal healing. We will provide specific guidelines to help patients prepare for a lower body lift.

In preparation for a body lift, patients may need to get a medical evaluation, take certain medications or adjust how they’re taking their current medications, quit smoking if they smoke, and avoid aspirin, anti-inflammatory medications, herbal supplements, or other medications that increase bleeding.

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING THE LOWER BODY LIFT, BUTTOCK, OR THIGH LIFT PROCEDURE

A lower body lift can be applied to the lower torso and upper legs, including the abdomen, waist, inner/outer thighs, buttocks, and/or hips. Liposuction may also be performed in conjunction with a lower body lift.

The precise procedure varies with each lower body lift patient, depending on the body type and desired surgical outcome. Generally speaking, the lower body lift procedure entails making an incision that follows the upper and/or inner thigh, to the waistline. In more extensive lower body lift surgeries, the incision goes completely around the waist and lower back.

Focused buttock or thigh lifts only require an incision at the crease of the upper buttocks or groin, respectively. The incisions are hidden in the creases of the groin or below underpants lines. After the procedure, we utilize a number of strategies to help minimize the appearance of the incision during the healing process.

Excess skin is then removed, followed by the underlying fat deposits. Often, however, the excess skin and fat of the buttock and back region can be used to help create shape in the buttock region. This can take a flat or "deflated" buttock and help give it not only less skin excess, but also improved shape and firmness. Finally, the skin is pulled taut and sutured into its new configuration.

THE RECOVERY FOR A LOWER BODY LIFT, BUTTOCK LIFT, AND THIGH LIFT

The recovery time for a thigh, buttock, or lower body lift depends on the extent of work performed, but generally is very similar to that of a tummy tuck in the case of a lower body lift, and even faster in the case of thigh lifts.

The extent of recovery for a lower body lift or these other procedures is determined in large part by the amount of skin and fat that must be removed and lifted. Patients typically wear a supportive garment for the first one to two weeks after a lower body lift. In most cases, patients can begin walking the day of the lower body lift procedure. Light exercise is typically started two to three weeks after the lower body lift or other lifting procedures, and full exercise around four to six weeks.

If you’ve had a lower body lift, it’s likely that your torso will appear slimmer, but it can take some time for swelling and bruising to subside and even longer for the tissue to settle into position.

HOW TO ACHIEVE OPTIMAL RESULTS FROM A LOWER BODY LIFT

Patients sometimes have concerns about whether they will be able to sit down after a lower body lift or whether it’s advisable to bend over when they’re in recovery after a lower body lift.

After a lower body lift, you should get plenty of rest to promote healing, try to avoid bending at the waist or stretching for at least a few weeks to avoid putting strain on the surgical site, and avoid strenuous activity during the early stages of recovery. Avoid exercise or lifting anything heavy for approximately six weeks. You will be able to sit right after the surgery.

ADDITIONAL SURGICAL AND NON-SURGICAL COSMETIC PROCEDURES TO ENHANCE YOUR LOOK

Along with lower body lifts, Cross Medical Group also provides a full range of cosmetic procedures for other areas of the body. Unlike lower body lifts, many of these procedures are designed only for enhancing areas of the upper body. Individuals who want to focus on their breasts may wish to consider breast augmentation, breast lift or breast reduction surgery. A brachioplasty (arm lift) reshapes the upper arm area by removing excess fat and tightening loose skin. Liposuction can be used to remove fat from upper body areas such as the arms, neck, and chest. We also provide non-surgical approaches including body contouring, cellulite treatments, and skin tightening procedures.