LOWER BODY LIFT

You may have put a lot of effort into losing weight, being disciplined regarding diet and exercise, maybe even undergoing bariatric surgery, and you have finally reached your goal weight. Unfortunately, what you may not have anticipated was that you would be left with loose and sagging skin around and below your waistline that just will not go away, no matter how hard you work. This may leave you feeling disappointed, self-conscious, and uncomfortable, and certainly doesn’t feel like the reward you deserve for all of your efforts, making it difficult to really appreciate your new body.

Although weight loss plays a big role in excess loose skin, other factors include the normal aging process, pregnancy, and genetic factors, all of which can contribute to poor tissue elasticity. Regardless of the cause, this unwelcome change in your body is here, and it simply won’t go away despite your best efforts. It is possible for you to feel comfortable in your own skin (though less of it!), and a lower body lift can help you enjoy a smoother, trimmer figure.

What is a lower body lift?

A lower body lift removes excess skin and fat around your midsection, combining a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) with an outer thigh/buttock lift, with an incision that extends completely around your lower waistline. This results in a nicely-contoured lower body, tightening and smoothing the abdomen and hips while lifting the outer thighs and buttocks.

Benefits of a lower body lift

• You will be able to wear a greater variety of clothing, including those that may be
  more form-fitting.
• You will be more comfortable in your daily activities, and will no longer have
  hygiene problems associated with your excess skin.
• You will be able to engage in more activities and exercises as a result of feeling
  more comfortable and confident, making it easier to maintain your transformation.

Is a lower body lift right for me?

A lower body lift is a good option if, either as a result of weight loss or aging:

• you have drooping skin and fat on and around your midsection (abdomen
  and lower back)
• you have sagging skin on your outer thighs
• you feel that your buttocks are low, flat, or unevenly-shaped

Because a lower body lift is an extensive procedure, you should:

• have remained at or near your goal weight for at least 3-6 months, as further weight fluctuations could compromise or even negate your results
• be committed to a regular diet and exercise program, so that you can maintain your results long-term
• be a nonsmoker, since smoking compromises blood flow to your tissues and can thus impair wound healing and increase your risk of serious complications

How is a lower body lift performed?

Dr. Moya will carefully place your incisions in such a way that your clothing (swimsuit bottom or pants) will hide them. The preferred location of the incision, whether higher or lower on the hips and back, will depend on the amount of skin to be removed from the entire midsection. The best option for most men who have moderate excess abdominal, flank, and lower back tissue as their main issue would be a modified version of a lower body lift known as a circumferential belt lipectomy, which is specifically designed to eliminate this “spare tire” appearance. In order to optimize your results, Dr. Moya will, if necessary, also perform liposuction of selected areas.

His use of advanced technology (HARMONIC® ultrasonic devices) for this and other procedures means that, unlike with conventional technology, drain placement is completely unnecessary, making recovery easier and much more comfortable for you.

Recovery after a lower body lift

Because of the extent of the procedure, Dr. Moya recommends that you stay in the hospital overnight, as this will improve your overall comfort after surgery. You will be able to get up and move around right after your surgery, but will need some assistance for the first few days. You will, however, need to be sure that you do not strain yourself and that you avoid certain movements (including bending and twisting), as these can put undue tension on your incisions and even cause them to separate or open. Since you will experience some mild swelling around the surgical areas, a compression garment should be worn for at least three weeks. You will not need to worry about caring for your incisions, since Dr. Moya will use internal sutures and seal over these with skin glue. You should plan on taking at least two to three weeks off work, and will need to delay any strenuous activity for six weeks. Following your surgery, Dr. Moya will be sure to provide you with detailed and personalized instructions on how to best handle your recovery process.