Body Lift After Bariatric Surgery

A body lift is a combination of a circumferential abdominoplasty (i.e. belt lipectomy, a buttock lift, and an outer thigh lift). It is most commonly performed on patients that have lost a significant amount of weight after bariatric surgery. Patients receive a flatter abdomen, better contour of their thighs, and an improved shape and curvature of their lower back and buttocks.

At Florida Plastic Surgery Group, we believe that patients, their desires, and anatomy are all unique. Therefore, our doctors evaluate each patient and create a customized surgical plan for all of their patients to meet their expectations. Our doctors use the latest techniques to create a natural, younger appearing you.

Preparing for Your Body Lift

Who is a candidate for a lower body lift?
Men and women who have lost weight, possibly through bariatric surgery / gastric bypass, and who desire improvement in the shape and contour of the lower torso and outer thighs are excellent candidates for a lower body lift.

How do I prepare for my lower body lift?
We ask patients to stop taking medications that may increase bleeding, including aspirin, Plavix, NSAIDS (i.e. ibuprofen, Advil, Alleve, etc), and herbal supplements like vitamin E. Patients should be in good health and ensure their blood pressure is controlled.

In addition, patients who smoke should begin a smoking cessation program, as we ask patients to stop smoking three weeks prior to surgery, especially for those undergoing a lower body lift. The nicotine in tobacco products decreases the blood flow to your skin and results in delayed healing and increased wound complications.

In addition, nutritional supplementation is an important part of the healing process before and after surgery. A full blood panel including nutritional parameters will be obtained during the initial stages of the process and we encourage all of our patients to begin protein shakes or juices 3-4 weeks before surgery.

Recovering After Your Lower Body Lift

Our cosmetic surgery team will help ensure a rapid recovery. As you heal, it is important to keep well hydrated and nourished, as nutrition is an important part of healing.

The procedure is performed under general anesthesia and patients are instructed to wear compression garments for the first few weeks. Patients are admitted into the hospital to ensure adequate hydration and pain control.

As the incision begins to heal (after 3 weeks), there are a number of things you can use to help minimize the size and appearance of the scar. Massaging the scar with firm finger pressure will help diminish the appearance of the scar and decrease the swelling. In addition, paper tape and silicone gel sheeting have both been shown to help minimize scars with time. Some commercially available products such as Mederma or vitamin E may also have some benefit.

If you would like to learn more about how our plastic surgeons can use a lower body lift to acheive your cosmetic goals, please contact Florida Plastic Surgery Group to schedule a confidential consultation. We also offer affordable financing plans to fit most patients’ budgets.