Belt lipectomy / Lower Body Lift

This happens after dramatic weight loss in the lower half of your body. Lower-body-lift surgery tightens and sculpts the buttocks, outer thighs, inner thighs, hips and abdomen. Loose skin that looks aesthetically displeasing or causes mobility restrictions is removed. A lower body lift is appropriate if you are near your ideal weight and may precede or follow an upper body lift procedure. Every year, thousands of people undergo successful lower-body-lift surgery and are pleased with the results.

When to Consider a Lower Body Lift

• If you have had dramatic weight loss due to bariatric surgery or dieting.
• If you have relatively thin layers of fat below the skin in the hip, thigh, abdomen and buttock areas.
• If overhanging skin in your lower body restricts your mobility and/or causes painful chafing, rashes or infection.
• If you are distressed by sagging skin in your lower body.
• If your self-confidence would improve from such a procedure.

Considerations

Pros

• Loose skin will be removed and your contour sculpted, so you can see the results of your weight loss.
• You will experience the improved self-esteem that comes from looking better.
• You will get rid of overhanging skin that may cause painful chafing, rashes and infections.

 

Cons

• This is a surgical procedure with a lengthy recovery.
• You will probably need one to two days of hospitalization or skilled nursing care at home.
• You will have a scar that will be hidden in the bikini line.

These are the top three pros and cons to weigh when considering a lower body lift.

Are you a good candidate for a lower body lift?

After you’ve achieved a healthy weight or have undergone bariatric surgery, you may still feel frustrated by your appearance if you have excess skin along the lower abdomen, relaxed abdominal wall muscles and loose and wrinkled skin along the thighs and buttocks. A lower body lift, which leaves a circumferential scar hidden in the bikini line, can dramatically improve areas of sagging skin and/or cellulite below the waistline. The following are some common reasons why you may want to consider a lower body lift:

• You have undergone bariatric surgery or significant weight loss through dieting.
• Pregnancy and/or aging have left you with loose skin and cellulite below the waistline.
• You have loose skin on your hips, the sides and fronts of your thighs, your inner thighs and your abdomen.
• You have significant skin laxity, excess skin, ptosis (sagginess) of the buttocks and abdominal wall laxity.
• Your weight has been stable for 3 – 6 months( previously a year).
• You are in overall good health without chronic medical conditions such as diabetes or heart disease. You must obtain clearance for plastic surgery from doctors treating you for medical conditions.
• You have mental stamina. Surgical contouring procedures require patience and endurance.

If you are in good general health and have a positive attitude and realistic expectations, you are most likely a good candidate for this procedure.

How is a lower body lift procedure performed?

A complete lower body lift, also called a belt lipectomy, has the advantage of treating the buttocks, abdomen, waist, hips and thighs in one procedure and is often a part of a mommy makeover. Basically, the lower body lift extends the tummy tuck incision completely around the lower torso, which allows your surgeon to lift or resuspend the thighs and tighten the buttocks as well as to execute the traditional tummy tuck. The length and the pattern of incisions depend on how much extra skin is removed and where that skin is located. Dr Soliman always does his best to take your incision preferences into consideration.

 

In this single procedure, incisions extend around the body to remove excess skin and fat from the abdomen, outer thighs, buttocks, hips and waist.

What are the options?

Liposuction combined with lower body lift

You may benefit from liposuction in addition to a lower body lift to achieve the best possible contour. Liposuction can smooth and contour areas separate from the effects of the body lift excisions. Abdominoplasty or thigh lift

You can combine the lower body lift with abdominal contouring, otherwise known as a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) or combine the lower body lift with an inner thigh lift if your abdomen does not require contouring or if you have already had an abdominoplasty.

 

Further weight loss or liposuction

Because the lower body is lifted and suspended to the skin closure, excessive heaviness in the thighs and buttocks at the time of surgery may prevent a long-lasting effect. In such cases, Dr Soliman may recommend further weight loss before you undergo a lower body lift. If this is not feasible, you may undergo liposuction to thin the thighs and buttocks before undergoing excisional body lifting.

Scar placement

The lower body lift scar, which extends around the circumference of your torso, is designed to be hidden in your underwear or bikini. Dr Soliman can place it higher or lower based on your preference.

What will my lower body lift incisions and scars be like?

The incision used for lower body lift produces a permanent, noticeable scar around the entire lower trunk. The scar is placed low on the stomach, just above the pubic hair area, and extends toward the hip bones. At the hip bone the scar gently curves toward the top of the buttock crease to meet the incision from the other side. Your scar placement is determined by how you wear your clothing and your scar will be easily hidden by clothing.

As one of the pioneers of Post Bariatric  Surgeries in the Middle East, Dr Soliman will explain to you everything in detail as regards the surgery step by step, what to expect and will help you decide on a formulated plan to deal with all your concerns regarding the massive weight loss.