Lower Body Lift
Many people who have lost a significant amount of weight, whether it be from gastric bypass or weight loss drugs like Semaglutide or Tirzepatide, find that loose skin around their lower body can be a problem. At The Natural Result / Center for Aesthetic Artistry, we offer Sacramento men and women a way to get rid of that excess skin and complete their cosmetic transformation with a body lift.
A lower body lift is a common procedure for men and women who have excess skin on their abdomen, outer thighs, back and hips. By removing the excess skin, tightening loose, stretched muscles and lifting the remaining tissues, individuals can put the finishing touches on their body goals, revealing a smoother, firmer figure.
Our board-certified plastic surgeons are leaders in body contouring surgeries like body lift surgery in the Sacramento area. They have performed over 330 body lifts with beautiful results.
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Why Choose Us
- A recognized name in post weight loss body contouring, The Natural Result / Center for Aesthetic Artistry specializes in helping men and women accentuate their weight loss success with cosmetic procedures like the lower body lift.
- We believe in forming positive, long-term relationships, not just with our patients but with our peers. Most of our office and support staff members have been with us for several years, and we’ve worked with the same group of anesthesiologists since the earliest days of our practice.
- We are established specialists in the post-weight loss community and are dedicated to helping people like you who are ready to complete their weight loss journey.
What Is a Lower Body Lift?
A lower body lift is an extended form of a tummy tuck that includes a circumferential, or “360,” incision to address the entire midsection, including the front, sides and lower back. By tightening excess skin around the lower torso and flanks, a lower body lift can also slightly lift the outer thighs and buttocks. Liposuction is often used during the procedure to further enhance shaping and achieve a smoother figure.
The goal of a lower body lift is to remove and tighten excess skin and fat in the abdominal area, love handles and back simultaneously, thus providing complete body contouring following massive weight loss.
One of the biggest benefits of a lower body lift is that it can address all of these areas in a single surgery. You can think of this procedure as including 3 steps in 1:
- A tummy tuck removes excess skin and tightens weakened abdominal muscles to flatten and firm the midsection.
- An extended backside, or “360,” incision removes loose skin across the lower back and flanks, creating a slight tightening effect of the outer thighs and butt.
- Liposuction removes stubborn fat to sculpt the body’s contours around the hips and waist.
Benefits of a Lower Body Lift
A lower body lift can be particularly beneficial for those with significant loose skin due to weight loss, pregnancy, aging or other factors. Because it targets multiple areas at the same time, the lower body lift can offer a number of unique benefits.
- Improved body contours. By tightening and lifting the abdomen, thighs, flanks and buttocks, a lower body lift creates smoother, firmer contours from every angle.
- Enhanced comfort and confidence. By removing and tightening uncomfortable loose, hanging skin after weight loss, a lower body lift can increase mobility, comfort and overall self-confidence.
- A customizable approach. A lower body lift is highly customizable, offering you and your plastic surgeon the flexibility to create an individual treatment plan that matches your specific needs and goals.
- Long-lasting results. When paired with healthy eating and exercise habits, the results of a lower body lift can last for years to come.
Good Candidates for a Lower Body Lift
If, after your weight loss, you are left with excess skin and tissue that is causing rashes, irritation, discomfort or simply taking away from your hard work, you may be a good candidate for lower body lift surgery.
The best candidate for a lower body lift is healthy, has achieved his or her desired weight loss and has been stable at that weight for at least several months. Even if you’ve lost weight on your own without gastric bypass surgery, you may be a candidate for a lower body lift.
Your Personal Consultation
A consultation with one of our experienced, board-certified plastic surgeons is the first step in your post-weight-loss plastic surgery journey. During this time, your surgeon will carefully listen to your goals, review your medical history and perform a physical evaluation to determine if a lower body lift could be right for you.
If so, the next step is to discuss the details of your lower body lift procedure, including which specific surgical techniques might be best for you, whether or not you’d like to include additional procedures and whether your after-weight-loss plastic surgery will be performed as a single surgery or in multiple stages.
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Other After-Weight-Loss Plastic Surgeries
In addition to a lower body lift, other body contouring procedures can be particularly beneficial following weight loss. Common procedures to include with a body lift, whether in the same surgery or staged into multiple surgeries, include an arm lift, thigh lift, breast lift, facelift and neck lift.
If these areas of your body or face are also problematic for you following weight loss, let your surgeon know during your consultation so that he or she can factor these goals into your overall treatment plan.
Preparing for Your Lower Body Lift
Your plastic surgeon will provide you with detailed instructions on how to prepare for your upcoming lower body lift. He or she will ask that you are close to your goal weight for at least 6 months and are able to maintain a stable weight prior to surgery. If you smoke or use nicotine products, you will be asked to refrain from using them for several weeks before and after your procedure.
In the weeks leading up to your procedure, your surgeon may ask that you stop taking certain medications or supplements that increase bleeding risk, such as ibuprofen, aspirin, naproxen, vitamin E, fish oil and blood thinners. Arrange for help at home after surgery, as recovery will require time off from work, exercise and most daily activities.
On the day of your procedure, wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing and avoid wearing makeup, lotion, deodorant or jewelry. If you wear contact lenses, switch to glasses for the day. Being well-prepared can help to ensure a smoother experience and a more comfortable recovery.
The Procedure
The lower body lift procedure can take anywhere from 2 to 4 hours, depending on the level of correction needed, and surgery time can be longer if other procedures, such as an arm lift, are included. It is typically performed as an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia.
A lower body lift involves a circumferential incision around the torso, which your plastic surgeon will carefully place as discretely as possible. Through this incision, your surgeon is able to remove excess skin and lift and tighten remaining tissue before repositioning the skin to create a smooth, sleek contour.
Once the procedure is complete, your surgeon will close incisions using sutures, and you will be monitored while anesthesia wears off. You will need someone to take you home and stay with you for at least the first 24 hours after surgery.
Risks and Safety
As with any major surgery, a lower body lift carries some risks, such as bleeding, infection, poor wound healing, fluid buildup (seroma), scarring and changes in skin sensation. Our team prioritizes patient safety and comfort and takes every precaution possible to reduce risks and side effects. During your consultation, your surgeon will review your health history, discuss potential complications with you and ensure you are a good candidate for a safe and successful procedure.
Lower Body Lift Recovery
Recovery from a lower body lift takes about 3 weeks, with full recuperation in about 2 months. Most people are able to return to work and resume light daily activities within 2 to 4 weeks, depending on how physically demanding their job is.
You may experience swelling, bruising and discomfort following your procedure. You may not be able to stand fully upright for the first couple of weeks and should avoid heavy lifting. It is imperative you allow for plenty of rest as your body recovers but important to lightly walk around, as you feel up to it, to promote healthy circulation and minimize complications such as blood clots.
Your plastic surgeon will provide detailed instructions on how to promote healing and recovery. It’s important that you follow these guidelines and attend all follow-up appointments.
Within a week or two, your sutures may be removed and internal sutures will dissolve on their own. Depending on the procedures included in your surgery, you may need to take more precautionary measures to ensure you heal properly and recover safely.
Lower Body Lift Results
After your lower body lift, you should notice some initial improvement in your body’s shape. However, your body will need time to heal before you can really assess your results. Around the 3- to 6-month mark, you should have a good idea of what your final result will look like, although it can take up to about 12 months for your final results to fully develop.
While you may notice that you are a few pounds lighter after fully healing, this is due to removing the excess skin and tissue, lower body lifts are not intended for weight loss. However, many men and women feel more committed to maintaining their new healthy lifestyle after undergoing a lower body lift or other body contouring procedures.
Lower Body Lift FAQs
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How much does a lower body lift cost in Sacramento?The cost of a lower body lift depends on many factors, including the specific procedures that are part of your lower body lift, the experience level of your plastic surgeon and more. Be aware that national averages for the cost of plastic surgery that you might find online are often unrealistically low. The best way to get a realistic cost estimate is to discuss the details of your specific procedure with us at your consultation, and at that time we can provide you with an accurate quote reflecting the total cost of your surgery. You are also welcome to call our practice prior to scheduling your consultation and ask for a ballpark cost. We do our best to be as transparent and upfront as possible.
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Will insurance cover a lower body lift?In most cases, insurance does not cover a lower body lift, as it’s considered a cosmetic procedure. However, if excess skin is causing medical issues like infections or rashes, partial coverage may be possible. Check with your insurance provider for details about your health coverage.
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How do I choose the best lower body lift plastic surgeon?A lower body lift is one of the more complex cosmetic surgery procedures performed. It is important to select a surgeon who has ample experience with body contouring and post-weight-loss procedures. We encourage you to check out our online reviews to see what people like you are saying. You can also view before and after images of prior patients in our photo gallery.
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Is a lower body lift the best after-weight loss procedure for me?A lower body lift could be right for you if you have excessive loose or sagging skin on your lower body that interferes with your ability to comfortably exercise, wear certain clothing or perform other activities. A lower body lift typically combines a tummy tuck and a backside lift to address excess skin in these specific areas. If excess skin or stubborn fat in other areas of your body are also a concern, other procedures like an arm lift or breast lift might be suitable solutions for you.
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Is a lower body lift painful?You shouldn’t feel any pain or discomfort during your lower body lift, as this procedure is performed under general anesthesia. After your lower body lift, swelling, bruising and tenderness are common side effects. However, these symptoms are usually easily managed with over-the-counter or prescription pain medication and should gradually improve as your body heals over the coming days and weeks.
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Will I lose weight with a lower body lift?A lower body lift is not intended to serve as a weight-loss procedure. Instead, the best candidate for a lower body lift will already be at or very close to his or her target weight. The goal of this procedure is to remove excess skin that often results from massive weight loss. That said, patients will lose some weight due to the loose skin that is removed.
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Does the pubic area get lifted with a lower body lift?Yes, the pubic area (mons pubis) is often lifted and tightened as part of a lower body lift. If you have specific concerns about excess skin or fat in this area, be sure to communicate that to your surgeon at your consultation so that they can be sure to address those concerns in your treatment plan.
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How long do lower body lift results last?Lower body lift results can be very long-lasting, though they should be paired with healthy lifestyle habits like eating a balanced diet, getting regular exercise, drinking plenty of water and managing stress. Adopting these healthy habits will help to maintain and prolong your lower body lift results.
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Is a lower body lift worth it?Most men and women who have had a lower body lift at our practice are very pleased with their results and are happy they went forward with this procedure. If loose or excess skin is hindering your exercise efforts or is lowering your quality of life, a lower body lift could be well worth the investment.
Hot Topics in Plastic Surgery After Weight Loss
- What Exactly Does a Lower Body Lift Include? Our plastic surgeons break down what is (and is not) typically included in a lower body lift.
- Is Head-to-Toe Skin Removal After Weight Loss Possible? Our surgeons explain the ins and outs of total body contouring after massive weight loss.
- How Soon After Massive Weight Loss Can You Have Plastic Surgery? Learn more about what factors into your post-weight-loss plastic surgery timeline.
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