Lower Body Lift
Purpose of Procedure
The lower body lift combines a tummy tuck with removal of excess skin and fat from around the lateral abdomen, posterior hips and lower back. This operation may be combined with liposuction of the upper thighs particularly the saddle bag or trochanteric areas. The procedure lifts sagging buttocks, lateral and anterior thighs and dramatically improves the lower trunk and upper thigh territories.
This operation is most commonly performed for patients who have undergone massive weight loss. This includes patients who have lost weight as a result of gastric bypass surgery (GBP) and those that have lost weight using more traditional means such as diet and exercise sometimes combined with using weight loss related medications.
Description of the Procedure
This surgery is usually performed under general anesthesia. All surgery is done at Dr. Payne’s MediCare and California State Certified Pueblo Nuevo Surgery Center located within his office.
Incisions are made that run circumferential (all the way around from front to back) across the lower tummy and around to the lower back. Excess skin and fat is removed. Liposuction and/or direct fat trimming is used to thin unsightly adjacent fat pockets including the hips, back and upper thighs. The tummy muscles are usually tightened to help provide flattening of the abdomen. A new belly button is created using the patient’s original one but it is altered to make it look better than it did preoperatively. The mons pubis is defatted and lifted to make it look more youthful and appealing.
The buttocks are shaped and lifted and may be filled with the patient’s own fat to give them more fullness and dimension. The upper thighs are frequently treated with liposuction to eliminate unwanted pockets of fat. The lower body lift lifts and tightens the lateral and anterior thighs so that the entire abdomen, buttocks, and upper legs look better.
Results
The lower body lift has evolved from the tummy tuck experience. A significant portion of the adult population in the United States is either overweight or obese. These patients tend to develop comorbid medical problems from the excess weight including high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, diabetes, sleep apnea, arthritis, elevated cholesterol and blood lipids, and other diseases.
Surgery related weight loss operations have been around for many decades but the newer techniques are safer, more effective, and have less complications than the earlier methods. Although different types of weight loss surgery are now performed in this country the most common is gastric bypass (GBP) performed lapascopically. This involves multiple small incisions in the abdomen to allow instruments to be placed into the abdominal cavity. The stomach is then reduced in size to a tiny pouch and the small intestine is partially bypassed. This results in a patient being able to eat less food per meal and creates a situation where much of the ingested food is not absorbed by the body and simply passes out of the colon.
The majority of patients then go on to lose most of their excess weight. Usually the weight related medical conditions either resolve or improve. Patients are medically healthier, feel much better, and the quality of their lives is dramatically improved. Most of these patients, however, are left with excess skin and fat over much of their body. The tummy, hips, buttocks, lower back and upper thighs often represent the areas of greatest dislike for these individuals. The treatment for this condition is surgery and the lower body lift was designed for these patients.
Dr. Payne performs a comprehensive evaluation of each patient both medically and from a cosmetic point of view. It is best if the patient has lost the great majority of their excess weight and they should be at a stable weight for 6–12 months before corrective cosmetic surgery is performed. GBP patients sometimes can have medical problems result from the weight loss procedure itself. Common problems include anemia, vitamin deficiencies, healing abnormalities, electrolyte imbalance, and clotting abnormalities. Dr. Payne is very thorough and performs extensive testing of all GBP patients prior to surgery. Medical problems are corrected and patients health is optimized prior to surgery.
The results from GBP surgery can be stunning. Tummy tuck operations tend to be associated with very high patient satisfaction and usually hold their results well over time. The addition of the hip, lower back, buttock and thigh components of the lower body lift procedure have nicely addressed the needs of the massive weight loss patients.
Patients will often go down in pant or dress sizes after surgery. Clothing fits better. Patients look much more slim and trim. Exercising and a return to vigorous activity is facilitated. Self esteem and confidence are boosted. Patients feel younger and more energized. Friends and family are generally supportive. When patients look and feel better many of them will be motivated to join a gym, pay closer attention to their diet, and do the things they ought to do to sustain and expand their new lease on life.
Dr. Payne discusses each patient’s potential treatment plan. He will talk about the pros and cons of the various options and help guide clients to the decision that is best for them. All patient issues and questions are addressed in detail. Usually patients are seen at least two times prior to surgery to make sure they are well informed and ready for their cosmetic surgery.
Recovery
Each patient is given detailed written postoperative instructions regarding surgery as well as appropriate medications. The postoperative experience is discussed in detail with each patient ahead of time so that the patient is prepared for the after-surgery experience. Dr. Payne usually calls each patient the evening of surgery and again the morning after to review all instructions with the caregivers and make sure each patient is being managed appropriately. Dr. Payne or one of his staff members can be reached 24/7 by simply dialing his office phone number (209–524–9904) in case of questions or problems.
Most patients can go back to work within 3–6 weeks of the treatment depending on their job demands. By 4–8 weeks the majority of clients feel good and have resumed most of their pre-surgery activities. Patients are seen one to two times per week for the first few weeks until judged to be doing well. Dr. Payne follows all patients until they are fully healed and recovered. Patients may resume light exercise within 1–2 weeks after treatment and then progress from there. Support garments are recommended for a minimum of 6 weeks after surgery
Cost
Please contact our office for information regarding cost. Cost will vary depending on the nature of the specific treatment and how many areas will be filled.
Consultation/Scheduling
Please contact our office if you wish to make an appointment to see Dr. Payne for a consultation. Our office staff will be happy to talk to you in detail about this procedure. Feel free to ask lots of questions.
Your initial consultation will be with Dr. Payne. This generally takes about 1 hour. You may visit the office prior to this consultation to have preoperative photographs taken or to simply come by and chat. If you would like you can stop by to see our Before and After Album with dozens of digital images of clients who have undergone tummy tuck surgery. You will be given multiple brochures and other paperwork which will help to prepare you for your consultation. All your options will be discussed with you at the time you make your first appointment.
