Who is a good candidate for an Upper or Lower Body Lift?

 

While an Abdominoplasty or Tummy Tuck only addresses tissue in the front of the abdomen, and a butt lift only addresses excess tissue on the outside of the thighs/hips, the lower back, and the buttocks, a Lower Body Lift or Extended Tummy Tuck addresses the front and back in one procedure, contouring the abdomen, flanks, outer thighs, and buttocks through one continuous tissue removal all the way around. This can rejuvenate all of these areas and is a powerful tool to lift the buttocks and thighs and contour the waist to a more youthful look.

 

Similarly, the Upper Body Lift addresses excess tissue in the upper abdomen and back with one continuous tissue removal for maximum contour in this area. This addresses upper abdominal and back rolls.

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What is the Difference Between a Lower Body Lift and Extended Tummy Tuck?

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These are very similar procedures meant to treat the same thing. If a patient has excessive skin that goes all the way around the back, then a Lower Body Lift is performed, and the scar, located in the bikini line, will go across the midline over the lower back. If the patient's skin excess does not go past the midline, then a circumferential scar is not required, and an Extended Tummy Tuck is performed. In other words, both a Lower Body Lift and Extended Tummy Tuck treat the abdomen, love handles, and buttocks, both have a scar in the bikini line in front of the abdomen similar to a traditional Tummy Tuck as well as a scar in the bikini line located in the lower back, but the scar for a Lower Body Lift is continuous across the back while the scar for an Extended Tummy Tuck stops short of midline on each side (see pictures below for more information). 

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Does a "Lower Body Lift or Extended Tummy Tuck" treat the upper abdomen?

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Yes! It is somewhat of a misleading name, but the Lower Body lift and Extended Tummy Tucks procedures also addresses the upper abdomen by re-draping the skin tighter and by addressing the rectus diastasis (ab muscle separation). In select patients, additional skin removal or liposuction may be required in a second stage for optimal contouring, but this is uncommon. A lower body lift can be thought of as a Tummy Tuck/Abdominoplasty that also addresses the outside thighs, love handles, lower back fullness, and sagging of the buttocks. 

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What should a patient expect during and after a Body Lift or Extended Tummy Tuck?

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The patient will be limited to no strenuous activity or heavy lifting for 2-4 weeks. Most patients will require surgical drains, which are usually removed in 1-2 weeks but this varies patient to patient. The scars will continue to improve over 6-12 months and generally improve in look and feel over this time period.

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What results can a patient expect from a Body Lift or Extended Tummy Tuck?

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As with any body contouring procedure, the excess skin will be replaced with scars that will be designed to be hidden as much as possible but will be visible in some areas. The patient will have a significant improvement in the contour of the treated areas.