Would a Plastic Surgeon Do a Lower Body Lift if the Patient Hasn't Met the Goal Weight?

I'm 40, had 2 children via c-section. I'm 5'10. At my max weight I was 260lbs. Now 220lbs. 3 dr.'s have told me I'm not big enough for The Band. I've had c5, 6 and 7 fusion. When I tighten my stomach muscles I have pain and my stomach forms a strange large cone shape. Most of my weight is in my stomach, as I am asked daily, when is the baby coming. Would the lower body lift benefit me? I want to be healthy and be able to move around with less pain in my stomach and neck. Please advise.

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9 Doctor Answers | Asked by Kaco,e in ny

Doctor Answers (9)
Community Comments (1)

Would a Plastic Surgeon Do a Lower Body Lift if the Patient Hasn't Met the Goal Weight?

Goal weight is not as essential for you. Since you have not had a lap band or gastric bypass there is no "goal weight". Before undergoing reconstructive plastic surgery, I would ask that your weight be stable for at least three months Before surgery, I would ask that you conscientiously diet and exercise for about three months. Since you did not include pictures, I cannot accurately determine if you need an abdominoplasty or 360 bodylift. To determine if you need an abdominoplasty or a 360... more

Weight loss and body lift

I think that once you hit your goal weight it is probably OK to have the lower body lift. I certainly have treated patients at 220 lbs without major complications. It really depends upon how high your weight was to start with and where you are now. An exam in person would be most beneficial.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Lower Body Lift after Goal Weight

A lower body lift is a procedure that all patients choose to only have done once. In order to do it right you must be at a stable and healthy body weight. We take into consideration your current body weight and see that the risks and the potential for good results are lower now than if you were at the healthy target weight for someone your height. If you find that your weight loss is hard to achieve it might be best to see a weight loss doctor to help you achieve your goal; then you could... more

How much weight to lose before lower body lift?

There are a few things to consider when searching for your goal weight: Have a goal and work towards it. If it is unrealistic you may have to change it. It does you no good to achieve a goal weight that you cannot keep Once there, allow your weight to stabilize ( recognizing that some fluctuations will occur) for 3 months. We know that when your BMI is over 30 you start increasing your risk associated with the procedure ( risk is higher due to the nature of the procedure... more

Tummy Tuck

As you heard idealy would like to see you loose a little more weight. However if you are comfortable with your present weight I see no reason not to proceed if you understand that you are at a higher risk for complications. I am concerned about your description of the abdomen, when you tighten the abdominal muscles you get a cone shaped bulge, could this be a VENTRAL HERNIA? and that is what is causing the discomfort. If that is the case then you need a tummy tuck and ventral hernia... more

Bodylift Surgery

Dear Kaco,e Unfortunately, it would be extremely difficult to give you an answer as to whether a body lift would help you without seeing you or at least pictures of you. That being said, when calculating your Body Mass Index, which takes into account your height and weight, it is 31. A person who undergoes major surgery with a BMI over 30 is at a greater risk for complications. But through a healthy diet and exercise I'm sure you could easily get yourself to a more ideal weight... more

Body lift before achieving full weight loss

As with any surgery, your best results from surgery would be when your weight is stable and you are no longer losing/gaining weight. Your description of an uncomfortable bulge in your abdomen when you tighten your stomach muscles suggests that you might also have a hernia in your abdomen. You might check with your doctor to confirm this as it might require surgery to repair.

Lower body lift before meeting weight loss goal

Thank you for your question. While it is unreasonable to expect you to reach your ideal body weight, the results from the surgery are better and the complications less if you approach your target weight. You have done a great job in losing 40 pounds, but lossing some additional weight will make your ultimate result much better. There are many opinions on limits of BMI and weight before surgery. However, these should be used as guidelines rather than absolute rules. Every person is... more

Lower Body Lift if the Patient Hasn't Met the Goal Weight?

The risk benefit ration is less favorable with somewhat higher risk, and lower the outcome not quite as good. Some photos would help me make my own personal guess. If you really can't lose more weight, that is a consideration.Often a BMI of 30 is a "cutoff" to some surgeons, and you are close enough (31.4). Again without a photo I wouldn't speculate as to whether a tummy tuck or a lower body lift is in order. A tummy tuck alone would be preferable in this setting if... more