Mayo Clinic-trained, board-certified Nashville plastic surgeon Chad Robbins, M.D., F.A.C.S., performs lower body lift surgery for both men and women from in and around the greater Nashville and Franklin area. Dr. Robbins approaches each patient’s lower body lift procedure individually, and he leverages his considerable expertise to the benefit of patients seeking to achieve a more symmetrical and aesthetically satisfying shape. While many different factors can play into the issues that cause lower body lift surgery to be an optimal solution, dramatic weight loss, either due to diet and exercise, or due to stomach bypass of gastric-banding surgery, may result in back rolls, excess skin in the hips and thigh region, as well as the buttocks and abdomen.
What is a Lower Body Lift?
Post-bariatric surgery patients in Nashville or Franklin, or anyone who is concerned about an excess of skin and superficial fatty tissue in the lower body would benefit from a consultation with Dr. Robbins. Oftentimes, the success of losing weight is accompanied by sagging skin tissue issues, and if the excess loose skin is voluminous and round in nature (or circumferential) due to the region of the body where it is located, such as the outer thighs, back, buttocks, hips or belly, then the procedure for removing this excess is the more extensive “lower body lift”, also called a belt lipectomy or a circumferential lipectomy.
Before & After Pictures
Benefits of a Lower Body Lift
Excess skin in these regions causes multiple issues, due to the fact that not only can this excess skin be a source of infection, but it also can act as a deterrent against successfully adopting healthy lifestyle habits. In large part, this is because, in the case of post-bariatric surgery, for instance, often any results from even the most diligent and strenuous exercise routines may remain hidden under moderate or localized areas of drooping or sagging skin tissue. This is where a lower body lift plastic surgery procedure with Dr. Robbins can help to correct the excess skin issue while also encouraging and promoting the adoption of the principles of healthy living.
Patient Weight and Body Status
It’s important to appreciate that lower body lift plastic surgery is not a substitute for weight loss, but rather a complement to it that can be used to address the side effects of weight loss or other precipitating factors for excess skin. Ideally, candidates for a lower body lift have, in fact, maintained a stable weight for a clinically appropriate amount of time after bariatric surgery or non-surgical weight loss before undergoing this procedure.
Lower Body Lift Procedure Details
Dr. Robbins primary concern is making sure that you are delivered a tailored procedural solution utilizing the appropriate array of techniques necessary to reshape your hips, back, belly and thighs to attain beneficial aesthetic improvements in your overall contour and physique. In reality, a lower body lift is several procedures performed in a single anesthesia event, and may include buttock lift, thigh lift, and abdominoplasty. The goal is to remove undesirable excesses of skin while reshaping those areas, and address abdominal muscles that have grown lax via a tightening procedure to make them more taut. Each patient has unique bodily issues, and Dr. Robbins’ specialty is finding a customized solution tailor-made for that patient that will enhance their overall quality of life.
Am I a Candidate for a Lower Body Lift?
Do you feel the constant presence of excess skin rolls in your torso and lower body area? Perhaps you have lost over one hundred pounds and, as a result, of all that weight loss you find redundant drooping skin on your thighs and hips. Have you lost weight, but gotten discouraged from exercising because you can’t see the results? Take the time to schedule a consultation with Dr. Robbins to see if a shapelier appearance can be yours through surgical body contouring to tackle the issue of insufficient skin elasticity and hanging skin.
How Much Does a Lower Body Lift Cost?
A lower body lift is considered to be elective, so most insurance providers won’t cover the costs. To help make lower body lifts affordable and accessible for everyone, Robbins Plastic Surgery offers financing options via CareCredit® and Prosper Healthcare Lending. We also accept cash, personal checks, and major credit cards.
Lower Body Lift FAQs
How to sleep after a lower body lift
After a lower body lift, it's important to sleep in a position that minimizes tension on the surgical sites. Typically, patients are advised to sleep on their back with their upper body slightly elevated and pillows under their knees. This position helps reduce swelling and discomfort. Maintaining a semi-reclined position, like in a recliner chair, can also be beneficial. Patients should avoid sleeping on their sides or stomach for several weeks post-surgery, as per Dr. Robbins’ advice.
How much weight do you lose with a lower body lift?
A lower body lift is not primarily a weight loss procedure but rather a body contouring surgery. While patients will lose some weight due to the removal of excess skin and fat, the primary goal is to improve the body's shape and contour. The actual weight loss can vary greatly between individuals, depending on the amount of excess skin removed. It's important to have realistic expectations and understand that this procedure is more about enhancing body contours rather than significant weight reduction.
What does a lower body lift include?
A lower body lift typically includes the following procedures to produce comprehensive improvements in the lower body:
- Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty): Tightens the abdominal area by removing excess skin and fat.
- Thigh Lift: Targets the inner, outer, or posterior thigh area to improve contours.
- Buttock Lift: Lifts and reshapes the buttock area.
What is the recovery time for a lower body lift?
Recovery from a lower body lift is a gradual process and can take up to 6 months or longer to achieve full recovery. The initial recovery period typically lasts for about 2 to 4 weeks. During this phase, rest is crucial, and most activities, including work and physical exertion, are greatly restricted. Mobility may be limited, and assistance with daily activities might be necessary. From approximately 4 to 8 weeks post-surgery, patients can start to gradually resume more activities. This includes light exercises and returning to work, provided the job does not involve heavy lifting or intense physical labor. However, it is still important to avoid strenuous activities and heavy lifting during this period to facilitate proper healing. Around the 6-month mark, most of the swelling and bruising should have subsided, revealing the final results of the surgery. It is important to note that individual recovery experiences can vary, and some patients may require a longer time to fully recover.
Robbins Plastic Surgery is a leading provider of aesthetic and reconstructive procedures to patients throughout Nashville and Franklin. If you are interested in learning more about lower body lift surgery, or any other breast enhancement, body contouring or facial surgery procedures, contact us today to schedule a consultation.
