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Lower Body Lift

Designed to target the buttocks, thighs, hips and abdomen, a lower body lift can be an excellent option for tightening skin around the midsection and below. Dr. Thomas Crabtree—our skilled plastic surgeon—will tighten underlying muscles and tissues in targeted areas and remove extra fat utilizing liposuction. He will then pull the remaining skin until it is taut, revealing a smooth and firm contour. This technique may also be combined with a tummy tuck.

Your Consultation

In the initial consultation, Dr. Crabtree will use the time to get to know you, learn about your expectations and discuss a plan to achieve your goals. This may be a part of a post-bariatric weight loss body-contouring plan. For these patients, a lower body lift can be an integral part of completing their body transformation. He will discuss the different variables of surgery and risks, as well as the incision types and possibility of liposuction.

Prior to surgery you will have a good understanding of the procedure, plan and recovery. If you decide you are ready to proceed you will set a date for surgery and be given instructions on how to prepare. You will also schedule a pre-operative appointment to review your medical history, take pre-operative photographs, measure for your post-surgical garments and confirm the details of your surgery.

Your Procedure

Posterior Lower Body Lift

The posterior lower body lift procedure involves the elevation and smoothing of the buttocks, hips, and outer thighs. This is achieved by removing excess skin and lifting/tightening the remaining tissues. In many cases liposuction is also utilized to remove localized fat deposits and further improve the contour of the region.

Circumferential Lower Body Lift

A circumferential lower body lift combines a posterior lower body lift with a tummy tuck to remove excess skin and tissue from around the entire circumference of the mid and lower body. The posterior lift addresses the thighs, hips, and buttocks while the tummy tuck sculpts the abdomen and tightens/repairs abdominal muscles, if necessary. Liposuction can also be employed when accumulations of stubborn fat are present.

Body Lift Incision

Body Lift Closing Incision

Your Recovery

Following treatment, you can likely expect a relatively smooth and accelerated recovery as a result of the advanced postoperative care program created by the Crabtree Plastic Surgery team. You will likely have small temporary drains placed in the existing incisions beneath the skin to help remove any excess blood and fluid. Mild soreness and bruising is totally normal with a lower body lift. The drains may be removed in 3 – 7 days. All of the sutures are below the skin and absorbable. The skin is closed with glue and tape. To help limit swelling and assist with natural skin tightening, a special compression garment will be placed immediately after surgery and is to be worn as advised by Dr. Crabtree. You may experience some moderate bruising and/or tenderness initially, though these side effects are temporary and should subside with time. Normal daily routines can usually be resumed after approximately seven to ten days, but moderate to intense exercise and other strenuous activities will need to be avoided for a minimum of four to six weeks. Dr. Crabtree and our staff will be available to answer questions and ensure healing is progressing as planned throughout the entire recovery process.

Lower Body Lift Procedure

  • Clinic Procedure or Operating Room: Operating Room
  • Hospital Status: Outpatient
  • Length of Surgery: 4-5 hours
  • Anesthesia: General Anesthesia performed under the care of a board certified Anesthesiologist
  • Post-Operative: Special garments may be worn for up to two weeks to help with swelling and recovery. In addition, small temporary drains may be placed in existing incisions beneath the skin to remove any excess blood and fluid. Mild soreness, swelling, and bruising are all normal
  • Recovery Time: Return to normal daily routine in one to two weeks, four to six weeks avoiding heavy lifting and several months for scars to fade.
  • Results: The results will be evident immediately but will continue to improve over the course of several weeks.