If you have experienced massive weight loss, a lower body lift can offer you dramatic body contouring with a single cosmetic procedure. A lower body lift is the surgical equivalent of lifting your pants up from your hips to your waist.

When the excess tissue is removed from the back as well as the abdominal apron of loose skin known as the panniculus, the skin of the lower body is lifted from its sagging position.

Because a lower body lift is more extensive than a tummy tuck alone, it can produce a dramatic improvement in the hips, buttocks and outer thighs.

The photos below show an actual patient who had a lower body lift and a medial (inner) thigh lift with Dr. Sterry. For more examples, visit our photo gallery

What is a lower body lift?

“A lower body lift is a plastic surgery procedure that combines a tummy tuck or abdominoplasty with a buttock lift and outer thigh lift. Result: A completely rejuvenated torso, thighs and buttock area.”

Who is a candidate for a lower body lift?

“Anyone who has lost more than 100 pounds should really think about a lower body lift, not just a tummy tuck. By treating the whole torso at the same time as one aesthetic unit, you get the best possible result.”

Do all plastic surgeons perform lower body lifts the same way?

“No. A lot of surgeons say they're doing a lower body lift, but they're really not—they're doing a belt lipectomy. They're taking away a lot of extra skin around the torso, and the scar pattern is similar, but a lower body lift should also include a thigh lift. And there are a few things you need to do to make that happen. It takes longer than a belt lipectomy, and I also try to eliminate cellulite down the thighs.”

Can patients keep their curves after a lower body lift?

“Yes—if you choose your surgeon carefully. I make it a point not to cut off anybody's rear end. Some patients come in and say, ‘I want a lower body lift, but I heard it cuts your butt off.’ And it does—if you don't do it right. I've developed several techniques to prevent that from happening.

“I even tell patients, ‘I'm here to save your ass.’ It's not what I take away that's going to give you shape—it's what I leave behind that creates the sexy curves. This is my strong suit, and I have great confidence in this area.”

How have lower body lift techniques been refined over the years?

“The lower body lift has come a long way since it was introduced in 1989. The original operation (type I) combined a tummy tuck with a complete thigh lift and a buttock lift—plus liposuction wherever it was needed. This was a very extensive operation requiring the patient to remain in the hospital for five days after surgery.

“Today, most surgeons perform a modification of this procedure without the inner thigh lift. We refer to this as a lower body lift type II. This is now the generally accepted method for performing a generic body lift.

“But as I've said, many surgeons perform belt lipectomy procedures and call them body lifts. These two terms should not be confused.”

What is a belt lipectomy?

“A belt lipectomy is a procedure developed in the 1960s to remove excess fat and skin from around the torso of an obese patient. The procedure may or may not include a true abdominoplasty or tummy tuck. While a belt lipectomy offers some improvement to the lower body, it is by no means a type II lower body lift.”

Does a lower body lift replace liposuction?

“No, a lower body lift is not a substitute for liposuction. However, I may perform the two procedures in combination, but not on the exact same areas of the body.

“It's important to understand the difference between what a lower body lift does and what liposuction does. A lower body lift makes your body look younger by tightening the sagging skin associated with aging or weight changes.

“By contrast, liposuction re-contours the body by removing fat—but it does nothing to remedy loose, sagging skin. In fact, liposuction alone can make loose, sagging skin worse because it removes volume from the tissues.”

Does a lower body lift require a hospital stay?

“Yes, a lower body lift is a hospital-based procedure. You can expect to stay one or two nights for careful monitoring following your operation.”

What kind of anesthesia is used for a lower body lift?

“A lower body lift is performed under general anesthetic, so you will be asleep for the entire procedure.”

Where are lower body lift scars placed?

“The incisions I use in lower body lifts are designed to be hidden by a swimsuit or underwear. The day before your surgery, I will make markings on your body indicating where the incisions will be made.”

What should you expect immediately after a lower body lift?

“After your lower body lift, you can expect to spend two nights in the hospital. You'll be walking the next day, and there are no sutures to remove.

“You will have four surgical drains to prevent fluid build-up—two in front and two in back. The drains will stay in for 7-10 days. I will also apply dressings, and in most cases, you will need to wear a girdle-like compression garment.”

How long is the recovery after a lower body lift?

“You can expect to be back to work in 2-3 weeks after a lower body lift, depending on the nature of your job. You should wait six weeks before resuming your exercise regimen, and stay away from weight-lifting for three months.”

What results can you expect from a lower body lift?

• You will have a nicely improved waistline.
• A lower body lift will eliminate loose skin from your navel down to your knees.
• Your rear end will be lifted.
• A lower body lift gets rid of saddlebag hips.
• You'll notice a tremendous reduction in cellulite.

“I've been able to achieve pretty good symmetry after performing many lower body lifts—there are a lot of surgeons who can't produce those results.

“It's important to understand that you may still have some loose skin on your inner thighs after a lower body lift. If this poses a problem, you may want to consider having an inner thigh lift in the future.”