About Lower Body Lift Surgery
A lower body lift is a body contouring procedure that removes excess skin and fat to reshape and lift certain areas of the body affected by weight loss or pregnancy. The surgery targets the mid and the lower body, including the abdomen, buttocks, lower back, flanks, and upper thighs. Depending upon how much skin removal is required, a circumferential 360 incision may be made, which allows the greatest amount of skin excision and lift. This is a major surgery and can redefine a patient’s lower body. Port St. Lucie, FL plastic surgeon Dr. S. Darrell Lee has special training with skin removal surgeries. In many cases, this surgery at Lee Plastic Surgery and Laser Center in Port St. Lucie, FL allows patients to not only reach their weight loss goals, but to complete their overall transformation with a tighter figure that looks healthy and normal.
Ideal Candidates
Ideal candidates for this surgery are usually ones who have lost a significant amount of weight and are battling new challenges. These challenges consist of loose, wrinkled skin on the buttocks and upper thighs, hanging skin on the abdomen, and saggy skin throughout the midsection. If you are a candidate for this procedure, it is important to have realistic expectations, which can be discussed with Dr. Lee during your initial consultation. First, scarring is a part of this surgery due to the large incisions. Second, this procedure does have a lengthy recovery compared to most cosmetic surgeries, so it is important to plan if you work or have small children. Finally, it is important that you are at your healthy goal weight when considering this surgery.
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Surgical Technique
This procedure is performed under general anesthesia and most patients do require an overnight stay in the hospital. The surgery time can be quite lengthy, lasting anywhere from 4 – 7 hours. The incision is typically placed along where a belt would be worn, which is why it is known as a circumferential 360 or in some cases, a beltectomy. Once the incision has been carefully made by Dr. Lee, liposuction will remove all excess fat and loose skin will be gently trimmed away. Then the remaining skin will be pulled tight and secured with sutures. Compression garments will be placed over the incisions to help create a slimming result, as well as to control swelling, bruising, and bleeding.
What to Expect
A lower body lift is considered a major operation. It takes most patients around two weeks to resume simple activities, and in some cases, up to six months before a return to more vigorous movements such as aerobic exercise. Dr. Lee or a member of his staff will provide very detailed instructions and information on wound care so that scarring is minimized as much as possible. While the recovery can seem lengthy, the results can be extraordinary, leaving patients with a smoother, tighter body without the hanging, loose skin that prevented them from living a full life. Most patients feel it is one of the most worthwhile cosmetic procedures offered today.
Transform Your Figure
Lee Plastic Surgery and Laser Center employs some of the most highly experienced individuals in the aesthetic industry. Dr. S. Darrell Lee welcomes all weight loss patients to consult about our skin removal procedures and the options for lower body lift surgery. Lee Plastic Surgery and Laser Center takes great pride and joy in helping our patients to achieve their final goals. If you have excessive skin and hanging folds on the mid to lower portion of your body, you may be a candidate for a lower body lift. Call today for a consultation with Dr. Lee and allow him to discuss this life-changing process with you. We serve patients from all over the area, including Port St. Lucie, Jupiter, Palm City, Vero Beach, and Stuart, FL.