Lower Body Lift
A lower body lift is an operation that combines a number of procedures designed to lift the abdomen, buttock, and thighs together. Think of it as a tummy tuck, buttock lift, and outer thigh lift all at the same time. The main purpose of this surgery is to recreate the harmony between a patient’s buttocks and legs and that of his or her waist and hips. For many patients, the contour concerns may be as simple as addressing isolated areas of extra skin or fat. In those cases, the minimally invasive Smartlipo or Cellulaze laser technology may be enough. So whether your problem is with saddle bags that just don’t seem to go away or loose skin on the inner thighs, after a thorough consultation with Dr. Mancoll, he will be able to advise you on the best options for your desired look.
Ideal Candidate
The typical patient who is a candidate for this surgery has lost a lot of weight and is in good emotional and physical health. Ideal candidates should be close to their ideal body weight and not smoke. Additionally, patients need to be realistic with their recovery and the amount of time needed.
Procedure
This procedure can be performed on an outpatient basis; however, for most patents, it will include an overnight stay. It requires general anesthesia and can take between 4 and 6 hours. Factors, including the patient’s size and how much extra skin and fat he or she has, will affect how long the surgery is. To achieve the maximum results, a lower body lift can be done in conjunction with liposculpturing of the lower back, hips, and/or buttock.
During the surgery, an incision is made that goes all the way around the waist, including the abdomen, upper part of the buttocks, and hip area. The incision is designed to leave the resulting scar well hidden within the bikini line.
Potential Risks and Complications
The complications include scars, bleeding, infection, postoperative pain or discomfort, wound healing problems, blood clots, and adverse reaction to anesthesia can occur.
Dr. Mancoll prides himself on his ability to communicate with his patients and tailors each discussion to the patient’s individual needs. Dr. Mancoll and his staff will spend time helping you understand your procedure. You should feel free to ask questions at any time, and if you don’t understand the information, we will be more than happy to go over it again.
Costs
The total cost of a lower body lift is determined by various factors, including:
- Surgical time
- Facility fees
- Anesthesia fees
- Surgical fees
- Prescriptions for medication
- Post-surgery garments
Because lower body lift surgery is considered a cosmetic procedure, it is not usually covered by insurance. Even for those patients who have lost a great deal of weight, it is very unusual for insurance to approve this procedure. Feel free to contact the surgical coordinator for pricing and to request more information about this or other cosmetic procedures.
Potential Risks and Complications
As with any surgical procedure, there are certain risks associated with receiving a lower body lift surgery, such as scars, infection, bleeding, wound healing problems, blood clots, postoperative discomfort, and adverse reaction to anesthesia. Although significant complications are uncommon, patients should understand that any surgery, performed for any reason, has risks and should not be taken lightly.
Dr. Mancoll prides himself on his ability to communicate with his patients and tailors each discussion to the patient’s individual needs. Dr. Mancoll and his staff will spend time helping you understand your procedure. You should feel free to ask questions at any time, and if you don’t understand the information, we will be more than happy to go over it again.
Recovery
After surgery, bandages and a specialized compression garments are applied to the abdomen and lower body. Although pain and swelling may be present, these symptoms can be alleviated by prescribed medication. Patients can usually return to work within 10 to 14 days, depending on the type of work they do. Strenuous activity, twisting, and exercise should be avoided for the first 4 to 6 weeks following surgery.
We welcome you to schedule a consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. John S. Mancoll by calling Mancoll Cosmetic & Plastic Surgery at (757) 305-9185 or filling out our online contact form. Dr. Mancoll has been voted by his peers as one of Coastal Virginia’s Top Plastic Surgeons. He is devoted to helping each individual patient achieve the best results possible.
