- Lower body lift operative techniques
- Lower body lift indications
- How long is recovery from a lower-body lift?
- Lower body lift scars
Aesthetic body contour deformities frequently involve multiple areas of the trunk and thighs.
Whereas isolated relaxation of the abdomen or medial thighs after pregnancy is relatively common, patients presenting with laxity and cellulite of the flank-lateral thigh-buttock region usually have associated relaxation of the abdomen and medial thighs.
In these patients, the ideal surgical plan targets the entire circumferential trunk and thigh aesthetic unit in one or several stages.
Lower body lift operative techniques
After completion of bilateral thigh-buttock lift in the decubitus position, the patient is either
- placed supine with knees shoulder-width apart and the hips flexed 30 degrees. The medial thigh lift is followed, or
- after incision closure to the anterior superior iliac spine, placed in the supine position with the hips flexed 30 to 40 degrees with the thighs abducted. The high lateral tension abdominoplasty is performed. The incision is closed to the anterior superior iliac spine.
Lower body lift indications
Lower body lifts are indicated for generalized relaxation of the skin and fat involving the circumferential body from the inframammary fold line to the knees.
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How long is recovery from a lower-body lift?
Patients are monitored on an inpatient basis for 3 to 5 days, depending on the degree of liposuction and lifting. Dressings are removed in 1 or 2 days.
Patients stand at the bedside in 24 to 36 hours, then progressively ambulate with a walker. Stool softeners and protein drinks are started the first postoperative day, followed by high-protein diet.
An exercise bodysuit is started in 2 to 3 weeks and worn for several weeks for comfort and support.
Lower body lift scars
Careful preoperative planning and avoidance of excessive wound repair tensions reduce scar complications.
Treatment of scar complications should generally be delayed for 8 to 12 months. Widened or hypertrophic scars may be improved with simple scar revision.
Even though our surgeons do their best, it is very hard to predict the excess of scarring. There are people with thin and lightly coloured scars and those whose scars might appear darker and thicker. This is something our patients have to be prepared for.
Dr Oleg Turkin is a cosmetic surgeon who specialises in all areas of cosmetic surgery, including facial, body and breast surgery. He has a very dedicated approach to his work, aiming to give patients a first-class service with more than 30 years of experience. 
