Lower Body Lift

A lower body lift also known as Belt Lipectomy is a surgical procedure to remove excess skin and fat from the abdomen, hips and lower back, to lift the buttocks and outer thighs and to tighten the underlying muscles of the abdominal wall. It is frequently combined with Liposuction.

 

The combined effects of aging, gravity, childbirth, fluctuations in weight, and a loss of skin elasticity all contribute to the loss of tone in abdomen, buttocks and thighs as we age. A lower body lift can markedly improve the appearance of your abdomen, buttocks and outer thighs.

 

Lower body lift surgery usually takes five to seven hours to perform. After you are properly anesthetized, surgeon will make the incisions necessary for removal of excess skin and fat. This incision resembles a tummy tuck incision across the lower abdomen but also extends all the way around the waist and actually meets in the middle of the back over the lower spine/upper pelvic region.

 

After the incision has been made, surgeon gently elevates the skin and fat off the underlying muscles of the abdominal wall. If needed, these muscles are tightened using sutures. Some patients have hernias in the abdominal wall, and these may also be repaired during a lower body lift.

 

After the muscles have been tightened, surgeon removes excess skin and fat and re-drapes the skin over the underlying muscles. Four drains are typically placed beneath the incision. These slender, rubber tubes assist in draining any fluid that may accumulate beneath the incision and delay your healing.

 

The incisions are carefully closed to minimize your scar. A sterile dressing is applied to the incisions, and an abdominal binder is placed around your waist. This binder helps support your incision during healing, decreases post-operative swelling, and helps decrease any bruising that may occur.

 

Lower body lift surgery is performed in a hospital with an overnight stay required. During your stay, you will have a PCA (Patient Controlled Analgesia) Pump to administer pain medicine to yourself intravenously.

 

You should take it easy following after a surgery. No strenuous activities, heavy lifting (over 20 pounds), aerobic exercises, swimming, contact sports, tennis, or golf should be planned for the first three weeks.

 

Also you should wear the abdominal binder for three weeks following the surgery. Doctor will remove the drainage tubes when the drainage is appropriately low enough to allow the drain removal.

 

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