Lower Body Lift

A lower body lift is a surgical procedure that addresses excess skin on the lower extremities such as the buttocks, thighs, and abdomen.  This might include wrinkled and folding skin around the thighs or sagging buttocks that distort the shape of the waist and lower abdomen. With a lower body lift, patients can achieve a more proportionate, natural-looking figure.

Many factors can contribute to the appearance of excessive, loose and sagging skin along your lower body regions. The most common reason is massive weight loss, but a lower body lift can also address the aftermath of pregnancy and aging. Skin is often not able to recover and retract to fit new contours, and you may be struggling with loose skin that drapes and hangs. Dr Grant Hamlet performs lower body lifts to remove excess skin and lingering fat, and artfully contour the lower region of the body. If you’re ready to embark on the next phase of your aesthetic  journey, contact Dr. Grant Hamlet in London at 0207 127 4377. Schedule a personal consultation today to learn more about how a lower body lift can get you moving toward sweet success.

Lower Body Lifts in London

Those with loose and hanging skin often struggle with several parts of their body. In the lower torso, a pannus, or apron may develop, hanging over the lower abdomen and pubic area. Excess tissue in the flanks can sag over the waistline and cause the outer thighs to droop. Extra skin in the inner thighs can extend both vertically and horizontally. All of these skin folds present their own issues. Patients can develop infections in the creases, and experience painful irritation. ⁽¹⁾

In addition to the usual benefits of a tummy tuck, a lower body lift allows re-suspension of the lateral and anterior thighs, yielding a firmer look and feel. This procedure is ideal for patients with excess skin due to ageing or weight loss. A lower body lift is not an adequate substitute for weight loss, so it’s essential to maintain a healthy lifestyle after this procedure. You should be close to your long-term goal weight and in the best physical and emotional state before proceeding forward with surgery.

Benefits

A lower body lift isn’t just skin removal. As the name suggests, this procedure stretches and smooths the skin upwards, creating streamlined contours and firmer, tighter flesh.

A lower body lift can:

Candidates

If you have a significant amount of loose skin due to extreme weight loss, usually 50 pounds or more, you may be a good candidate for a lower body lift procedure. You should be in good overall health and you should be at or near your weight loss goal, as further weight fluctuations can negatively impact the results of your procedure. Also, if you smoke, you will be asked to quit in the weeks leading up to your surgery. You must also have reasonable expectations for your body lift procedure and discuss any underlying medical conditions that you have to ensure your safety. 

Dr Hamlet understands that diet and exercise can get you to your goal weight; however, it cannot tighten lax skin that has been overly stretched. Before choosing a body lift procedure, you should be committed to maintaining a healthy diet and fitness regimen to ensure the longevity of your results. To find out if a body lift is right for you, please contact our office and schedule your consultation. There’s no reason to wait.

Personal Consultation

If you feel that a body lift procedure may be appropriate for you, the next step is to meet with Dr Hamlet for a private consultation. During your visit, you and Dr Hamlet will discuss your aesthetic goals, health conditions, medical history, previous surgeries/treatments, and current medications to ensure this procedure is right for you.  Before any surgery, he will perform a physical examination to help identify your areas of concern. Following your consultation, Dr Hamlet will be able to recommend whether a lower body lift will help you achieve your desired aesthetic goals, or if another procedure would better suit your needs. If a lower body lift is the appropriate procedure for you,  you’ll be walked through all pre-procedure preparation, the details of your surgery, and what to expect during your recovery.

Dr Hamlet understands the significance that this surgery has in the lives of his patients, and wants you to feel confident and comfortable with every step of this experience. To learn more about Dr. Grant Hamlet and the services that we offer, follow our blog.

Preparation

A lower body lift is a comprehensive and involved surgery. Patients will be given detailed instructions on how to prepare for this procedure.

Instructions will include:

Additionally, your doctor will go over any health risks that could complicate the procedure like:

Procedure

Before anaesthesia is administered, your body will be marked to identify the curves and contours that Dr Hamlet will be sculpting. 

 Also called belt lifts or belt lipectomies, a lower body lift surgery is actually several different surgical procedures that help recontour the lower portions of the body. A lower body lift uses a series of strategic incisions, the most important being the one that encircles the torso as a belt would. This allows access to the thighs, buttocks, and midsection. The resulting scars are usually hidden by most swimsuits. Excess skin is removed, and in order to lift the remaining skin on the waist, hips and buttocks, surgeons use a technique called undermining. This separates the skin from the connective tissue, and allows it to be stretched upwards to eliminate any bulging. Because a lower body lift addresses multiple areas of the body, this procedure may require more than one surgical session. Patients stay in hospital one or two nights afterwards. ⁽¹⁾

Recovery

After your surgery, bandages, dressings, and compression garments will be applied to your treated areas. Small, thin tubes may temporarily be inserted under the skin to help drain any excess fluids that the body produces during the healing process.

Dr Hamlet will give you instructions to guide your recovery, and schedule follow-up appointments to monitor your progress.

You will need to take at least two weeks off work and restrict regular activity for four to six weeks. Wait at least six to eight weeks before returning to exercise.

Swelling and bruising will be present for a few weeks. Any discomfort can be controlled with prescribed pain medication.

Results

Results are immediate, but final results may take up to one or two years to fully emerge once the body has healed itself. If the patient maintains a stable weight and exercises regularly, the results of a lower body lift can be enjoyed for the rest of their life.

Research studies have found that patients who underwent a lower body lift had significantly increased long-term feelings of attractiveness and self-esteem. They no longer experienced the discomfort associated with excess skin and reported feeling happier, more attractive, and more self-confident. The procedure enhanced their overall wellbeing, even years after surgery. ⁽³⁾

FAQ

References

1. Cabbabe SW. Plastic Surgery after Massive Weight Loss. Missouri Medicine. 2016;113(3):202-206. Accessed March 18, 2021. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6140063/#b11-ms113_p0202
2. Poodt IG, van Dijk MM, Klein S, Hoogbergen MM. Complications of Lower Body Lift Surgery in Postbariatric Patients. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2016;4(9):e1030. Published 2016 Sep 29. doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000001030
3. Vierhapper, M. F., M.D., Pittermann, A., Psy.D., Hacker, S., M.D., & Kitzinger, H. B., M.D., Ph.D. (2017). Patient satisfaction, body image, and quality of life after lower body lift: A prospective pre- and postoperative long-term survey. Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases, 13(5), 882-887. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soard.2017.01.010