Over the years, especially for women, fluctuations in body weight, pregnancy, certain surgeries, or a lack of exercise can all cause the skin of the lower torso to sag, its muscles to weaken, and in some cases not even doing sport helps the problem. However, lower torso surgery achieves a spectacular body contour improvement in the abdomen, hips and back..
Lower body lift
When is a lower body lift warranted?
After significant weight loss or pregnancy, the skin is not always able to retract and it is almost impossible to hide fatty deposits from certain areas of the body. To remedy this condition, lower torso surgery is recommended, which achieves results by removing excess skin and adipose tissue, tightening the tissues in these cases, re-toning the abdomen and eliminating flabby skin along the hip and lower abdomen, the so-called apron belly.
What happens at the first consultation?
Our plastic surgeon will examine you during a personal consultation and, based on their references, will show you what your expected best outcome will be if you decide to have surgery. The surgeon will also inform you about the necessary corrections and the course of the procedure.
Preparing for surgery
As with all surgeries, you will need to have a full examination before a lower body lift, which includes laboratory tests and if necessary other tests (e.g., an ECG and x-ray). In our private hospital, we perform all the necessary tests at the same time to save you time and make your preparations for surgery more convenient. You will then receive some lifestyle tips to help you prepare for surgery and to speed up your recovery. These include quitting smoking - at least temporarily - as nicotine slows the healing processes, consuming adequate amounts of fluids, vitamins and trace elements (vitamin C, selenium, zinc) and avoiding the use of aspirin, ginkgo biloba and other natural remedies, because these affect blood clotting.
What happens during surgery?
During a lower body lift under anesthesia, our surgeon makes the surgical incision perpendicular to the torso along the line of the hip/underwear. He then begins to excise excess skin and adipose tissue on the posterior trunk wall and above the buttocks, on both sides at the waist, and finally on the abdominal wall, uniting the elongated, separated abdominal muscles and securing the navel in its original anatomical position. Finally, the surgeon inserts tubes to drain discharge from within the abdominal wall and upper buttocks for 5-7 days. Only absorbable sutures are used throughout, sparing you the inconvenience of a later suture removal. The total intervention takes an average of 4-6 hours.
Recovery, regeneration
After a lower body lift you will need to spend two nights in our private hospital, where you can relax in pleasant and comfortable surroundings. The surgical site should not be exposed to water for one week. You will need to wear the special corset - which we provide for you - for four weeks. During the first two weeks it is important to avoid all strenuous physical activity, then you can gradually resume your previous rhythm of life and after three weeks light exercise is allowed. Neither the solarium, sunbathing nor the sauna are advised for two months. Our plastic surgeon will call you back for a postoperative examination at specified intervals. The visible scars heal after approximately 6 months, while those under the skin heal within about 2 years.
Although we try to filter out all risk factors during the preoperative examinations for a lower body lift, unforeseen complications may occur. At the first consultation your plastic surgeon will inform you about these and how to avoid them.