Lower Body Lift

If you have lost a large amount of weight, you may be left with a significant amount of loose skin on your buttocks, hips and thighs. A thigh lift can help resolve this, allowing you to enjoy the results of your weight loss to the fullest.

The final step of your weight loss transformation

Losing a significant amount of weight is a huge accomplishment, whether you achieved it through bariatric surgery or diet and exercise alone. After all that hard work, you may be dismayed at the amount of excess skin you are left with. While you are your own worst critic and may be the only person who notices it, you don’t have to live it. With a lower body lift, you can achieve the toned buttocks and thighs you desire, allowing you to feel confident wearing your chosen clothes or swimwear without feeling self-conscious.

What is a lower body lift?

The lower body lift, also called belt lipectomy, is a procedure performed by our highly skilled Austin Plastic Surgery Institute board-certified plastic surgeons. The surgery is designed to improve the contour of the lower body by removing excess tissues, and repositioning and tightening remaining skin. Men or women who have achieved massive weight loss are often left with excess skin and fat on their lower body that cannot be removed through exercise and a healthy diet. The lower body lift targets the lower abdomen, buttocks, and thighs.

Who is a candidate for a lower body lift at APSI?

The best candidates for lower body lift surgery can relate to the following:

Sagging skin as a result of weight loss or natural aging
Stretched skin following childbirth
Discomfort due to excess amounts of skin
The desire to tighten and improve the appearance of the lower body
Reached near ideal body weight
Maintained their current weight for at least one year

Sometimes referred to as a body lift 360, this surgery removes excess skin from the lower abdomen, hips, lower back, and buttocks. The lower body is then pulled up, and the underlying tissue tightened, to create a smooth and toned effect. This surgery can redefine the entire lower body. For some, it marks a final step in their transformation towards a new, beautiful figure.

A more personal, hands-on approach

At Austin Plastic Surgery Institute, our goal is to treat you like family. We are more personally involved in all aspects of treatment, from consultations to follow-ups. We are eager to know what results you envision, and we are willing to walk you through any procedure and answer any questions you may have. You deserve to feel beautiful, and we are here to help restore your confidence by addressing any physical insecurities you may have. Our doctors are all board certified, warm and welcoming, and will treat and care for you with honesty and integrity.

How is a lower body lift performed?

During a lower body lift, your surgeon will make an incision horizontally across the lower abdomen, circling the body. Through these incisions, he will remove excess fat pockets using liposuction and the underlying tissue and muscle will be pulled tight. Our experienced surgeons will make every attempt to trim away as much loose skin as possible, while protecting the incision area to minimize scarring.

How much time will I have to take off from work?

All lower body lift surgeries are performed under general anesthesia in our accredited surgical facility. The duration of the surgery depends on how many procedures are performed and to what extent. It is common for a surgery of this nature to take 3-4 hours or longer. The recovery can also be quite trying.

You will most likely be required to spend a couple of nights in the hospital. It could take 2 weeks or longer before work and normal activities can resume. A lower body lift can create a natural shape and a leaner, more toned figure. If you adhere to a healthy lifestyle, you should be able to enjoy your surgical results for many years.

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Lower body lift FAQs

How bad is the scarring?

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.

Is the surgery painful?

Because of the extent of this procedure, you may feel discomfort during the recovery process. For this reason, you will be 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.

Will my insurance cover my lower body lift?

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 your pre-op meeting with one of our billing and insurance coordinators.

What is the best time for surgery?

If you are contemplating a lower body lift, you will need to be at or near your goal weight. If you anticipate losing a significant amount of weight, this needs to happen first. Once you have lost the weight, a physical will be required to ensure your body has stabilized enough to endure surgery.