Lower Body Lift Post Weight Loss Surgery
Following weight loss surgery, many people are excited to feel more confident and comfortable with their bodies, but the results can be marred by the way the weight loss changes their shape. Loose, hanging skin or pockets of fat may remain as weight is lost rapidly. Once a person achieves their desired weight, it may be beneficial to consider treatments to remove excess skin and laxity. Lower body lift is one of the most often recommended treatments post-weight loss surgery. On this page, you can learn more about this procedure and its benefits. When you’re ready to get started, please contact the skilled professionals at Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery – a division of U.S. Dermatology Partners to schedule a consultation.
What Is Lower Body Lift?
During weight gain, the skin and supportive tissues of the body will stretch out over time. When weight is lost rapidly, the skin and tissue don’t always bounce back the same way. Following weight loss surgery, the waistline or belt line is one of the areas where the skin and underlying structures become loose or sag after weight loss surgery. In this situation, a lower body lift may be a good treatment option. Lower body lift may be referred to by a number of different names, including belt lipectomy, abdominal lipectomy, panniculectomy, or tummy tuck. By any name, this cosmetic surgery option is offered to remove excess skin and fat deposits, lift the abdomen and buttocks, and flatten and smooth tissue. This body contouring surgery helps patients achieve their ideal results following rapid weight loss.
Benefits of Lower Body Lift
There are numerous benefits associated with lower body lift following weight loss surgery, including:
- Improved satisfaction with weight loss results
- Increased self-esteem and confidence
- Alleviated discomfort caused by loose skin rubbing or pinching
- Reduced risk for concerns like swelling, rashes, infection, and ulcers
- Cleaning thoroughly is easier
- Corrected issues with daily activities like walking, sitting, and urinating
Recovery After Lower Body Lift
Following your procedure, you may get to go home right away, but you will most likely need an overnight stay. Your surgeon should be able to give you a good idea of what to expect prior to treatment. Following the surgery, they will provide detailed instructions that should be followed carefully throughout your healing. They will also schedule a follow-up appointment to check your progress. If a drain tube is placed under the skin to remove fluid, that visit may occur within a few days or a week. Otherwise, your surgeon may ask to meet with you several weeks after treatment.
During recovery, your surgeon will walk through medications you can take to manage pain. They will also discuss diet and exercise specifications, walk you through wound care procedures, and discuss potential issues that may be cause for concern and require emergency medical intervention. Rest is one of the most important aspects of care following lower body lift, so make sure to take time away from work and other activities, get plenty of sleep, and generally plan to take it easy for several weeks after treatment.
Risks Associated with Lower Body Lift
While belt lipectomy is generally considered a safe procedure, there are always risks when choosing to move forward with surgery. Specifically, those who choose to move forward with lower body lift after rapid weight loss may be at higher risk as belt lipectomy is an additional surgery, and their bodies may have a more difficult time healing. Additionally, those who are older, suffer from chronic health issues, or are otherwise considered high-risk should discuss their treatment options carefully with their plastic surgeon before moving forward.
Some common complications associated with lower body lift include:
- Adverse reaction to anesthesia
- Infection and poorly healing wounds
- Excessive bleeding immediately after surgery or prolonged bleeding during healing
- Formation of blood clots in the legs and other areas that can travel throughout the body
- Damage to nerves, muscles, and other underlying structures
- Unhappiness with the final results leading to a need for revision surgery