What to Expect During and After a Lower Body Lift in Ohio

Over time, the skin begins to lose its elasticity and sag. This can be the result of fluctuations in weight, massive weight loss, and aging. This sagging skin may become problematic and limit your mobility.

The lower body lift, also known as an extended or circumferential abdominoplasty, belt lipectomy, or torsoplasty, will help you address the excess sagging skin, extra fat, and tissue laxity around and below your waistline. This procedure produces tighter skin around the waist, a smoother mid-body contour and refined profile, and renewed confidence.

If you live in the Midwest region (Ohio and the surrounding states) and are in need of a lower body lift, the surgical team at Midwest Breast & Aesthetic Surgery is here to help alleviate your aesthetic concerns.

The total cost of your lower body lift surgery depends on several factors, which will be discussed during your initial consultation. These factors include:

• Amount and location of the excess skin, fat, and tissues to be removed
• Diagnostic tests needed before surgery
• Your overall health and medical conditions
• Qualifications and experience of the plastic surgeon and surgical technique
• Location of surgery: Hospital, aesthetic center, or clinic facilities
• Choice of anesthesia or sedation
• Post-operative medications and supplies
• Any other surgical procedures combined with the lower body lift surgery
• Follow-up visits

Insurance companies do not cover expenses for a lower body lift unless it is deemed to be medically necessary based on the insurance company criteria. It may be covered if the procedure is deemed medically necessary following massive weight loss or bariatric surgery.

You must check with your insurance carrier if the surgery cost can be covered under the payment plans offered.

Most patients undergo a lower body lift because they want to get rid of the excess skin and unwanted fat below their waistline that can be a result of having experienced massive weight loss, bariatric surgery, or natural aging.

A lower body lift yields an enhanced body contour that can significantly boost your confidence and self-esteem. This procedure also addresses aesthetic issues from having loose skin and can help alleviate the following conditions:

• Discomfort
• Skin irritations such as swelling, chafing, rashes, and skin ulcers/infections
• Hygiene issues
• Mobility problems
• Difficulty urinating
• Problems with sexual activities

The initial consultation is an opportunity to discuss and plan the entire surgical process. We begin by determining your suitability for a lower body lift through a review of your medical history and physical examination.

You must be willing to answer questions about the current state of your health. We will discuss your goals and preferences during this visit.

During the consultation, we will:

• Describe the procedure in detail.
• Discuss treatment options and the expected outcome, depending on the chosen surgical technique.
• Provide before and after photos to help guide your preferences
• Explain the risks, side effects, and complications associated with the procedure
• Discuss the necessary preparations and post-operative instructions
• Discuss available what payment and financing options are available

Preparing for surgery is important to ensure an excellent outcome while decreasing the possibility of complications.

We advise patients to stop smoking and drinking at least two months before surgery to promote good wound healing.

Likewise, we advise against taking medications (e.g. aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) and health supplements that lead to excess bleeding and bruising. However, do not discontinue prescribed medications without consulting with our surgeons and the primary care doctors who prescribed them.

You will be required to undergo additional laboratory tests, which may include an electrocardiogram, pulmonary infection test, and basic blood tests. Your weight should remain steady for six months prior to the procedure for the best results.

In addition, you should:

• Wash your torso/groin daily with soap and water leading up to surgery
• Eat well and maintain a healthy weight
• Get plenty of rest to aid in recovery
• Stay well hydrated before and after the surgery
• Avoid eating/drinking eight hours before your surgery
• Plan for and arrange time off from work
• Obtain and fill prescriptions before surgery (i.e. pain medicine and antibiotics)
• Purchase medical supplies (e.g. bandages, gauzes, compression garments)

On average, this operation will take five hours to complete. It may be longer if combined with other body contouring procedures.

General anesthesia is recommended for this procedure. Antibiotics will be given during and after the surgery to prevent infection.

The incision techniques for a lower body lift are made in a circumferential pattern. Our surgeons will mark the areas to be excised on the morning of your surgery. We treat the abdominal area first. The excess skin is removed and the abdominal muscles are tightened using deep support sutures to aid in maintaining the new shape of your body.

After the abdomen, excess skin at the flanks are removed from both sides of your body. After the flanks, you will then be turned on to your abdomen to remove the excess skin on your lower back. All incisions are closed with sutures.

A lower body lift is an extensive operation. You will be required to stay in the hospital for at least two days following surgery.

Your recovery depends on the extent of your surgery. It can be prolonged, particularly if you choose to combine your surgery with other body contouring procedures.

Because a lower body lift is a major procedure, you may experience some degree of discomfort and pain over the first few weeks. To alleviate these symptoms and minimize your risk for complications, our surgeons may advise you to:

• Wear compression garments
• Take time off from work for two-to-four weeks
• Restrict movement, avoid lifting and strenuous activities for four-to-six weeks
• Use pillows to relieve the tension and stress on your wounds

Two weeks after your surgery, remaining sutures will be removed. You can resume normal activities after eight weeks. Full healing takes more than two-to-three months with your scars improving over a span of one year.

Follow-up appointments are scheduled once a week for the first two weeks.

While it is a relatively safe procedure performed by our plastic surgeons, a lower body lift has associated risks and complications which include:

• Deep vein thrombosis, or blood clots in the legs that can drift to the heart, lungs, and/or the brain
• Allergic and adverse reactions to anesthesia
• Asymmetry and unsatisfactory results that may require revision surgery
• Wound healing problems
• Injury to underlying tissues and nerves
• Accumulation of fluid (seroma) or blood (hematoma) under the skin
• Infection of the skin
• Scarring
• Prolonged pain, discomfort, or numbness

Patients who have had massive weight loss are at a higher risk for complications and unfavorable side effects. You can minimize these risks by following pre- and post-operative instructions from our plastic surgeons.

If the above-mentioned side effects or complications arise, immediately contact our office for further instructions.

Results from a lower body lift are immediately visible but may take a full year to mature. The lift and contouring effects are permanent if you maintain a steady weight and commit to a healthy lifestyle.

Scarring is unavoidable in any type of surgery. The incisions required in a lower body lift produce permanent scars. Because the incisions are placed low on the abdomen, just above the pubic area and towards the buttocks crease, the resulting scars should be hidden under most garments.

You may be a candidate for a lower body lift if you:

• Have had significant weight loss
• Have excess, loose skin around your abdomen, thighs, and buttocks that limits your movement and causes skin irritations and hygiene issues
• Have excess fat deposits on your abdomen, thighs, hips, and buttocks
• Have abdominal muscle separation
• Are close to your ideal body weight with no further weight loss or gain expected

If you have chronic conditions (e.g. diabetes, heart conditions), are pregnant, or are a heavy drinker or smoker, you are not advised to undergo the surgery as this may increase your risk for complications and affect your healing and recovery. In addition, you must commit to maintaining a healthy lifestyle to preserve the outcome of the surgery.

Finding the right plastic surgeon is just as important as the surgery itself. Choosing your plastic surgeon involves knowing his/her qualifications, training, and experience in performing a lower body lift.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when selecting the right plastic surgeon:

• Certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons and similar accrediting associations
• Frequency in performing a lower body lift and other body contouring procedures
• Operating privileges in an accredited hospital Facility accreditation and state license
• Before and after photos of previously performed lower body lifts
• Demonstrated success in performing the lower body lift