Body Lift in Miami, FL

When you need a dramatic and substantial amount of excess skin removed from your lower body to improve your body shape, you may consult with an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Jeffrey LaGrasso, for a lower body lift. Also known as a belt lipectomy, circumferential abdominoplasty, or the 360º body lift, it is a surgical procedure in which excess skin is trimmed away and lifted to reshape body parts back to a normal, healthy contour. It is often recommended to patients who lose a significant amount of weight but are left battling saggy, loose skin. The procedure may be done with liposuction to remove excess fat. A lower body lift targets the mid-body section that includes the abdomen, lower back, buttocks, hips, and thighs. It is a 360º treatment to improve the appearance of those who are already close to their weight goal. For many patients, this procedure helps complete their weight loss transformation and allows them to reach their aesthetic goals. The area of skin and tissue removed can be as wide as 10 inches. Following removal of the tissue in this belt distribution, upper skin and tissue are pulled down and lower skin and tissue are pulled up giving you tighter and more youthful looking body including stomach, back, and waistline above as well as thighs, hips, and buttocks below. The scar will appear all the way around the body, but will fade considerably in time.

Patients who had significant weight loss as a result of gastric bypass surgery, or diet and exercise, and still have an excess of abdominal, flank, and back skin, often with stretch marks, benefit greatly from a lower body lift. Although the circumferential abdominoplasty recovery period may be longer than a mini tummy tuck, weight loss patients often choose it because it enables them to see the full results of their weight loss. This life-changing procedures can greatly improve confidence and self-image, helping patients to stay on the path of healthy eating and regular exercise. Call and schedule a consultation today.

A personalized lower body lift designed by Dr. LaGrasso can reshape your body for dramatic results, with a number of positive benefits, including:

• Treats multiple body areas

• Removes loose, excess skin

• Reshapes and recontours the body

• Eliminates stubborn fat from problem areas

• Tightens sagging skin

• Achieves a more youthful look

• Increases mobility

• Reduces skin irritation and chafing

• Can be combined with other procedures to enhance features (ex: butt lift)

• Improves overall body aesthetic and appearance

• Boosts confidence and self-image

The best candidates for lower body lift surgery at Jeffrey LaGrasso MD in Miami, FL are typically those who have lost a significant amount of weight and are experiencing new challenges, such as:

• Wrinkled, loose excess skin on the upper thighs and buttocks
• Hanging skin on the stomach
• Sagging skin across the core

Key considerations for this procedure include:

• Having realistic expectations, which can be discussed with Dr. LaGrasso during your consultation
• Understanding that scars are part of the surgery due to the large incisions required
• Preparing for a longer recovery time compared to many other cosmetic surgeries, especially in regard to work and family care
• Ensuring you are at a stable weight before undergoing the procedure for optimal results

A lower body lift is sometimes called a belt lipectomy as the incision is made around the belt area surrounding the lower torso. The incision is extended to the buttocks and thighs. Loose, saggy skin will be trimmed away and the remaining skin will be lifted and secured by sutures. Liposuction may be used if there’s excess fat. There are also cases when the fat harvested from liposuction is reinstated into the buttocks for an instant butt lift. These procedures may be combined in one session, or they may be staged depending on the patient’s circumstance.

The lower body lift procedure is performed with general anesthesia and requires an overnight stay in a hospital or accredited surgical facility. Due to its nature, a spinal anesthesia may also be administered. The surgery lasts from 5 – 8 hours depending on the number of procedures performed. Patients who have a lower body lift will experience a slow recovery process. Aside from extensive incisions, the body and skin need adequate time to adjust to their new positions created by the surgery. Most patients will need 2 – 3 weeks before returning to a light routine. It can take up to a full year for the final results of this surgery to appear.

All patients need to realize that although the surgery will dramatic change the contour of their bodies, patients can still gain weight if they overeat and do not exercise. All efforts should be made to keep the toned, sculpted look with regular exercise and healthy eating.

A lower body lift creates great results for patients, leaving the body tighter and smoother. Unfortunately, scarring is unavoidable with this surgery. For most patients, the scar will run around the torso and extend to the hips, buttocks and thighs. A skilled and trained plastic surgeon will make every effort to create clean, thin incision lines. These lines will produce scarring that will be patterned similar to a g-string. Once they heal, they will be concealed by undergarments.

It is recommended that anyone who is considering a lower body lift should be at or near his or her goal weight. If the loose skin is caused by pregnancy, it is best to postpone this type of surgery until all additional pregnancies have been completed. Any additional episode of significant weight gain may compromise the results of the surgery.

Yes, a lower body lift can be combined with other procedures, such as liposuction or an upper body lift, to enhance overall body contouring results. Dr. LaGrasso will discuss the best options for you during your consultation.

This surgery is performed with general anesthesia. It common during is the post-operation period that the patient will feel pain and discomfort. The healing of wounds is also slow. The patient must limit movement during the first week to avoid the risk of stretching the incision line. This is the most common complication after surgery. Pain medications will be given to help the patient cope. A compression garment is also worn to help the patient in reducing discomfort.

If it is proven that this surgery is medically necessary to attain a better quality of life, some insurance providers may cover a portion of the cost. There is no guarantee that coverage will be applicable. Our billing and insurance coordinators will work with the insurance company to determine coverage benefits.

A tummy tuck focuses solely on the abdominal area, while a lower body lift addresses the abdomen, thighs, buttocks, and hips for more comprehensive body contouring. Dr. LaGrasso can help determine which procedure is best for you during your consultation in Miami, FL.

Dr. Jeffrey LaGrasso is a highly experienced plastic surgeon who has helped many patients enhance the look of their lower body over the years. Dr. LaGrasso and our skilled team invite weight loss patients to learn more about our skin removal surgeries and your options for a lower body lift. Our Miami, FL office takes pride in helping our patients to achieve their final goals. If you have extra skin and hanging folds on the midsection and lower areas of your body, you may be a great candidate for lower body lift surgery. Call today to schedule a consultation with our team to discuss this life-changing procedure.