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If you’re interested in body contouring, a lower body lift may be an option for you. This procedure addresses loose or excess skin in the outer thighs and buttocks area that often occurs as a result of weight loss or aging.
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"The whole office sincerely cares about you. Dr. L is confident in his work and that puts you at ease. Postoperativly he has a treatment plan thats individualized for each patient."
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If you’re interested in body contouring, a lower body lift may be an option for you. This procedure addresses loose or excess skin in the outer thighs and buttocks area that often occurs as a result of weight loss or aging.
Find out more about what lower body lift surgery is and why you may want to explore it with an experienced doctor who can guide you through this decision. Dr. Leo Lapuerta is a trusted, triple-board-certified plastic surgeon who performs lower body lift surgery in the Houston, Katy, and Pearland, Texas areas.
Patients who have lost a significant amount of weight will often experience loose and excessive skin, while others may notice sagging skin as they age. These issues can also result from pregnancy and sun damage, which can reduce elasticity in the skin and tissue.
However, it’s not just the unfavorable appearance of excessive skin that troubles patients.
However, it’s not just the unfavorable appearance of excessive skin that troubles patients. Overhanging skin can also cause mobility issues and painful rashes, infections, and chafing.
Body lift surgery can address these issues. It also improves the tissue under the skin and fat in the treated areas. Excess fat and skin are removed, and muscles are tightened. The surgery can improve skin that is dimpled and appears irregular.
The ideal candidate for a body lift surgery is someone who is at their desired weight. If they haven’t completed their weight loss, it would be best to wait until they have lost those last few pounds, either through continued diet and exercise or liposuction if lifestyle changes don’t work.
Patients should be in good overall health. They should have realistic expectations for the procedure and how it can improve the way they look. While a body lift can smooth the skin and tissue along the stomach, back, and thighs, the final results won’t look the same for everyone.
Depending on the desires, needs, and goals a patient has going into the procedure, there are several techniques the surgeon can take. Some patients may only request a procedure focused on their stomach, while others may want to address excess skin around their hips, buttocks, and thighs, too. This will determine what techniques the surgeon will need to take.
With those focus areas determined and an end-goal in mind, Dr. Lapuerta will apply the agreed-upon technique during the surgery. This involves “lifting” the lower body and tightening the underlying tissue to create a smooth and toned effect.
Lower body lift surgery can redefine the entire lower body. It is often considered a final step in one’s transformation towards a new, beautiful figure. This surgery can boost self-confidence and help eliminate ailments related to excess skin.
Since the excess skin is removed and muscles are tightened, the procedure is considered permanent. However, the body will continue to change as it ages. If you have a dramatic change in weight, you may see more loose skin in the future. It’s best to maintain a stable weight and healthy lifestyle to enjoy the results long into the future.
Those who are coping with loose, sagging, or excessive skin below the waist often turn to lower body lift surgery. This procedure can help improve the patient’s contour and shape while reducing the discomfort and irritation associated with excess skin. Dr. Lapuerta sometimes refers to this method as a body lift 360 — removing excess skin from the lower abdomen, hips, lower back, and buttocks.
Prior to undergoing lower body lift surgery, patients must first meet with Dr. Lapuerta for a consultation to determine if they are good candidates. He will assess each patient’s health and discuss their goals to help decide if the surgery is the best course of action. If the patient and surgeon agree to move forward, they will schedule a pre-operative appointment to review more details and expectations before booking the surgery date.
This appointment will include taking measurements and determining skin elasticity on the lower body. Dr. Lapuerta will then discuss the exact procedure to be used and answer any questions you may have.
Dr. Lapuerta performs all lower body lift surgeries under general anesthesia in an accredited surgical facility. The duration of the surgery depends on the extent of the surgery and if it is being performed in conjunction with other procedures. It is common for a surgery of this nature to take three to four hours or longer.
The lower body lift procedure may be combined with other body contouring, such as liposuction, arm lift or breast lift and augmentation. It is often included with a Mommy makeover for women who have had their last pregnancy or lost a great deal of weight.
The number of procedures that can be safely done at once depends on the length of time for surgery and recovery.
During lower body lift surgery, Dr. Lapuerta makes an incision horizontally across the lower abdomen, circling the body. Through these incisions, the surgeon will remove excess fat pockets using liposuction and pull underlying tissue and muscle tight. Dr. Lapuerta will make every attempt to trim away as much loose skin as possible while protecting the incision area to minimize scarring.
A lower body lift aims to create a natural shape and a leaner, more toned figure. Patients who adhere to a healthy lifestyle can enjoy their surgical results for years. Before reaching this end result, however, patients can expect several weeks of lower body lift recovery.
Most patients will be required to spend a couple of nights in the hospital following the surgery. They will likely have surgical drains to help remove fluids from the incisions. In addition, they will wear bandages and a compression garment to reduce swelling and support the tissue.
Patients should expect two weeks or longer before work and normal activities can resume. Strenuous activities should be avoided for at least four to six weeks, depending on the state of their lower body lift recovery. However, they will be encouraged to get up and walk on the same day as surgery to help reduce soreness.
Dr. Lapuerta will provide recovery instructions and require several post-op appointments to ensure the patient heals properly. During these appointments, the surgeon will assess the patient’s incisions, address any concerns or questions, and eventually remove the drains and sutures.
In terms of lower body lift scars, patients can expect some noticeable scarring, particularly around the lower stomach and hip areas. However, the surgeon will work to place the incisions as low as possible, making it easier to hide the lower body lift scars while wearing clothing.
The cost of a lower body lift will vary. The final lower body lift cost will depend on how many procedures the patient needs and how many stages it takes to complete the process (surgeries that are staged will inevitably cost more). On average, most patients can expect to pay between $10,000-$17,000. During the initial consultation, the patient will receive a detailed surgical plan with the costs outlined for each specific case.
If you are looking to learn more about lower body lifts, Schedule a consultation with Dr. Lapuerta. With over 30 years of experience in the industry, Dr. Lapuerta has performed more than 30,000 plastic surgery procedures. During the consultation, Dr. Lapuerta will listen to your goals, discuss your options, and help you decide whether lower body lift surgery is the right choice for you.
Dr. Lapuerta is a triple-board-certified plastic surgeon. To maintain this credentialing, he stays up-to-date on the latest techniques and issues involved with plastic surgery. He is dedicated to patient safety and ensuring patients are happy with their results while helping them maintain reasonable expectations.
For the added convenience of his patients, Dr. Lapuerta maintains surgical privileges at various hospitals in the area, including St. Joseph Hospital, where he is Chief of Plastic Surgery. Dr. Lapuerta is renowned for his ability to provide natural results for his patients because of his extensive experience. He is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the Texas Society of Plastic Surgeons. Patients can feel confident in his ability to provide the best care if they should choose to have lower body lift surgery.
If you are ready to take the next step or still have questions about a lower body lift, contact us today to schedule a free consultation. Our team can answer your questions and alleviate any concerns you may have. We want to help you look and feel your best!
Recovery time
Average Procedure time
Post-op Follow-up
Procedure Recovery Location
1-2 Weeks
1 Hour
1 Week
Outpatient
While this procedure produces great results, scarring is inevitable. However, every effort is made to create clean incisions and leave a thin scar line. These incisions are also created low to follow the natural bikini line and keep them hidden if a bathing suit is worn. The scars will continue to heal and fade over time. Most patients feel their sleeker, tighter body outweighs the scarring.
Because of the extent of this procedure, patients may feel discomfort during the recovery process. For this reason, patients are required to stay in the hospital for a couple of days to be monitored and will be prescribed pain medication to help minimize pain and discomfort.
Yes, insurance may cover some portion of a body lift procedure. For massive weight loss patients, there may be chronic skin infections or other issues caused by obesity. This varies by patient condition, insurance policy and procedure. Patient benefits will be discussed during the pre-op meeting with one of our billing and insurance coordinators.
Individuals contemplating a lower body lift will need to be at or near their goal weight. If they anticipate losing a significant amount of weight, this needs to happen first. Once the weight has been lost, a physical will be required to ensure the body has stabilized enough to endure surgery.
