Lower Body Lift in Minneapolis – St. Paul

People who have been very successful with their weight loss program often have an excess amount of skin and stubborn fat deposits all around the circumference of their midbody area. If this is what you see in your mirror, don’t feel dismayed. Dr. Rocheford personalizes lower body lift procedures for Minneapolis-St. Paul patients who are looking for the most dramatic improvement post-weight loss. If you decide this is the right choice, you’ll be banishing excess tissue from the front and back of your torso and ridding yourself of any remaining love handles around your sides. Not only that, but your buttocks and outer thighs will benefit from the lifting effect as well.

What Is a Lower Body Lift? 

A lower body lift is a combination of surgical procedures designed to address sagging or loose skin on the lower half of the body. A lower body lift can include procedures like a tummy tuck, thigh lift, and buttocks lift. The surgical procedure may include these areas:

• Abdominal area
• Buttocks
• Thigh

Aging, sun damage, pregnancy, significant fluctuations in weight and genetic factors may contribute to poor tissue elasticity that can result in sagging of the abdomen, buttocks and thighs.

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Heather Rocheford, MD

BOARD CERTIFIED PLASTIC SURGEON

There are so many fads and false promises out there. It’s almost impossible to make a confident decision without trusted advice, and that’s what I’m here for. My goal is to help you understand what is right for you – based on your unique situation.

Meet Dr. Rocheford

Details Of Lower Body Lift Surgery 

• Surgery:  Surgery is done under general anesthesia at a hospital. The surgery takes 6-8 hours. 
• Discomfort:  Moderate to severe. Anticipate 3 – 14 days of pain medication. 
• Bruising:  Improves in 1 – 2 weeks. 
• Swelling:  Improves in 2 – 4 weeks. Don’t be alarmed by swelling in your ankles or feet. Keep your legs elevated to minimize swelling. 
• Bandages:  Removed 2 – 4 days following surgery. 
• Stitches:  Internal stitches dissolve. 
• Drains:  Removed in 2 – 3 weeks from the abdomen, 1 – 3 days from the thighs and buttocks. 
• Work:  You may return to work when you are done taking prescription pain pills. This is usually in 2 – 4 weeks. 
• Sun Exposure:  Protect from the sun with sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher for one year. 
• Exercise:  May be resumed in 2 weeks gently (walking). Weights and more vigorous exercise, 4 – 6 weeks. 
• Final Result:  Following scar maturation, about 1 year. 

A lower body lift is typically performed for a person who has a great deal of loose skin, especially after weight loss. The skin and tissue removed are indicated by the dashed lines. Once removed, the remaining skin is brought together with the incisions hidden below your pant line.

Candidates for a Lower Body Lift 

Ideal candidates for a lower body lift include individuals who have sagging or loose skin on the lower half of the body. This can include skin on the abdomen, hips, thighs, and buttocks. Individuals seeking a lower body lift may experience sagging skin due to significant weight loss or the natural aging process. Candidates must be in good overall health and have realistic expectations.

What Should I Expect During a Consultation For Body Lift Surgery?

During your body lift surgery consultation be prepared to discuss:

• Your surgical goals
• Medical conditions, drug allergies and previous medical treatments
• Current medications, vitamins, herbal supplements, alcohol, tobacco and drug use
• Previous surgeries

Your plastic surgeon will also evaluate your general health status and any pre-existing health conditions or risk factors, discuss your body lift options, and recommend a course of treatment. The success and safety of your body lift procedure depends on your complete candidness during your consultation. You will be asked a number of questions about your health, desires and lifestyle.

How Should I Prepare For Body Lift Surgery?

In preparing for body lift surgery, you may be asked to:

• Get a lab test or a medical evaluation
• Take certain medications or adjust your current medications
• Stop smoking
• Avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements and other medications that may increase bleeding

What Are the Steps of a Body Lift Procedure?

Body lift procedures are surgical procedures and they require extensive incisions. Incision length and pattern depend on the amount and location of excess skin to be removed, as well as surgical judgment.

Advanced techniques usually allow incisions to be placed in strategic locations where they can be hidden by most types of clothing and swimsuits.

Step 1 – Anesthesia

Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedure. The choices include intravenous sedation and general anesthesia. Your doctor will recommend the best choice for you.

Step 2 – The incision

One common technique of complete lower body lift uses incisions similar to a bikini pattern to tighten the abdomen, groin, waist, thigh and buttock in one procedure. An incision around the body removes an apron of excess skin and fat and repositions and tightens tissues.

Step 3 – Closing the Incisions

Deep sutures within underlying tissues help to form and support the newly shaped contours. Sutures, skin adhesives, tapes or clips may be used to close the skin incisions.

Step 4 – See the Results

The results of a body lift are visible almost immediately. It may take as long as one to two years for the final results to fully develop. Get more information on body lift results.

What Should I Expect During My Body Lift Recovery?

During your body lift surgery recovery, dressings or bandages will be applied to the incisions after the procedure is complete. Small, thin tubes may be temporarily placed under the skin to drain any excess blood that may collect. You will be given specific instructions that may include:

• How to care for your surgical site(s) following surgery
• Medications to apply or take orally to aid healing
• Specific concerns to look for at the surgical site or in your general health
• How to care for your drains

Body Lift Surgery Recovery at Home

If you experience shortness of breath, chest pains or unusual heartbeats, seek medical attention immediately. Should any of these complications occur, you may require hospitalization and additional treatment.

What Results Should I Expect After Body Lift Surgery?

The results of body lift surgery are visible almost immediately. However, it may take two years or more for the final results of the body lift procedures to fully develop. Some visible scars will remain, but the overall results are long lasting, provided that you maintain a stable weight and general fitness. As your body ages, it is natural to lose some firmness. However, most of your initial improvement should remain.

Although good results are expected from your body lift surgery, there is no guarantee. In some situations, it may not be possible to achieve optimal results with a single surgical procedure and another surgery may be necessary.

What Questions Should I Ask My Plastic Surgeon About Body Lift Surgery?

Use this checklist as a guide during your body lift consultation:

Are you certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery?

Were you specifically trained in the field of plastic surgery?

How many years of plastic surgery training have you had?

Do you have hospital privileges to perform this procedure? If so, at which hospitals?

Is the office-based surgical facility accredited by a nationally- or state-recognized accrediting agency, or is it state-licensed or Medicare-certified?

Am I a good candidate for this procedure?

What will be expected of me to get the best results?

Where and how will you perform my procedure?

What surgical technique is recommended for me?

How long of a recovery period can I expect, and what kind of help will I need during my recovery?

What are the risks and complications associated with my procedure?

How are complications handled?

How can I expect my body to look over time? After pregnancy?

What are my options if I am dissatisfied with the cosmetic outcome of my body lift?

Do you have before-and-after photos I can look at for this procedure and what results are reasonable for me?

What Words Should I Know About Body Lift Surgery?

Abdominoplasty

A surgical procedure to correct the apron of excess skin hanging over your abdomen.

Circumferential incision

A surgical incision around the body to remove the “”belt”” of excess skin and fat and additional incisions that may resemble a bikini bottom pattern.

Circumferential thigh lift

A surgical procedure to correct sagging of the outer and mid-thigh.

General anesthesia

Medications that are inhaled and/or given by injection through a vein used during an operation to relieve pain and alter consciousness.

Hematoma

Blood pooling beneath the skin.

Intravenous sedation

Sedatives administered by injection into a vein to help you relax.

Liposuction

Also called lipoplasty or suction lipectomy, this procedure vacuums out fat from beneath the skin’s surface to reduce fullness.

Local anesthesia

A medication injected directly to the site of an incision during an operation to relieve pain.

Lower body lift

Surgical procedure to correct sagging of the abdomen, buttocks, groin and outer thighs.

Medial thigh lift

A surgical procedure to correct sagging of the inner thigh.

Sutures

Stitches used by surgeons to hold skin and tissue together.

Tummy tuck

A surgical procedure to correct the apron of excess skin hanging over your abdomen.

Schedule a Consultation with Dr. Rocheford 

If you’re ready to discuss your options for improving the look of your lower body, including your thighs and buttocks, now is a great time to schedule your lower body lift surgery consultation with Dr. Heather Rocheford at our plastic surgery offices, serving the Twin Cities Metro area including St. Paul, Minneapolis, Woodbury and beyond. Simply request a consultation online or call Rocheford Plastic Surgery at 651-739-1100 today to schedule your appointment. 

Lower Body Lift FAQs