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What is a Lower Body Lift?
There are many factors that can contribute to poor skin elasticity and sagging skin, including aging, pregnancy, sun damage, genetics, and significant fluctuations in weight. For those with excess skin and fat on the abdomen, buttocks, or thighs, a lower body lift may be able to help.
Who is a Candidate?
You may be a good candidate for a lower body lift if are experiencing any of the following
- Excess skin due to weight loss
- Skin laxity due to general aging
- Mobility restrictions due to overhanging skin
- Lack of confidence in your body
Those who have overhanging skin on the lower body that causes irritation, rashes or discomfort can benefit from a lower body lift. Ideal candidates will be near their ideal body weight and physically healthy, with no further plans for significant weight loss.
The Procedure
The incisions of a lower body lift are strategically placed so that they can be hidden by most types of clothing and swimsuits. Incisions similar to a bikini pattern will be made to tighten the abdomen, waist, thighs, and buttocks in just one procedure. An incision made around the body is used to remove an area of excess skin and fat and allows for the repositioning and tightening of underlying tissues. Sutures are placed deep within the tissues to support your new contours, and sutures are also used to close all incisions. In some cases, liposuction may also be used to remove excess fatty deposits.
Results and Recovery
A lower body lift is a lengthy and complex procedure. The incision for the lower body lift is placed along the lower abdomen and flanks and just above the buttocks.
The lower body lift procedure is a major commitment in time and energy postoperatively. Expect to need at least two to four weeks to recover from this procedure before you can return to basic work and home activities. After four to six weeks you may resume light exercise and after six weeks you will resume full activity. Compression garments should be worn to reduce swelling, while pain medication can help to reduce discomfort. Following Dr. Fichadia’s post-op instructions can help to ensure an optimum recovery.
For patients who would like to avoid the recovery of a lower body lift, but desire similar waist contouring effect, another procedure to consider is a fleur-de-lis tummy tuck (see above).
If you are experiencing annoying excess skin on the lower body, a body lift in Portland may be able to help! Take the first step towards a more confident you and contact our office today to schedule your consultation with Dr. Fichadia.
Dr. Fichadia is a double board-certified, comprehensively trained plastic and reconstructive surgeon. She completed general surgical training at St Elizabeth’s Medical Center, an affiliate of Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston, MA, and subsequently completed a highly competitive plastic surgery program at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, OR. She has presented research from her time in Boston and Portland at national and international surgical meetings such as Clinical Congress of the American College of Surgeons and annual meeting of American Society of Plastic Surgery.
