Will a lower body lift get rid of my love handles?

Question

I'm 5'7' 162lbs, down from 315. I've maintained for 7 yrs. In 2011 I had an extended tummy tuck, breast lift & aug. I'd like to complete the lower body lift to get rid of the love handles & lift my butt & outer thighs (will do inner thighs later). But after talking to a PS, it sounds like a LBL won't get rid of my love handles. Should I do the LBL and then do lipo for the love handles? or is there another approach? Can the incision just be higher to get the love handles too?

Carmina Cardenas, MD · Answer

You are a wonderful  example of resilience. Congratulations!!!You are a great candidate to complete the posterior body lift and lifting the buttocks area will only make your body improve. The volume of the lovehandle area will be perfectly reduced and contoured with liposuction at the same time and I would recommend to use the small amount of fat to transfer to your buttocks just to add a little something as minor projection and complete your beautiful body. The scar does not need to be any higher than the natural crease you have already. Be encouraged!!Dr. Cárdenas

Joseph Michaels, MD · Answer

Awesome weight loss, congrats!! A body lift will address your abdomen, outer thighs and buttocks. It will greatly improve your lateral contour. It can be combined with liposuction to help your love handle region. A higher incision can be made as well, but then you run the risk of it being exposed in a bathing suit or certain outfits. If your outer thighs and buttocks are not a concern, then the body lift is too much surgery.

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Dear AfterMassiveWeightLoss,
Thank you for your question about the effectiveness of a lower body lift in addressing love handles, especially following your commendable weight loss.
Understanding 'Love Handles':
The term "love handles" is used to describe excess fat either above the hip bone (above the beltline) or on the outer thigh (below the beltline).
Lower Body Lift and Love Handles:
A lower body lift is indeed effective in removing love handles, regardless of whether they are located above or below the beltline.
Since you've already undergone a tummy tuck, the incision from that procedure can be extended over the hips and joined at the top of the buttock crack for a lower body lift.
This extended incision allows for the removal of excess tissue and the lifting of the outer thigh, effectively eliminating the love handles.
The positioning of the incision can be adjusted according to your preferences for scar placement and the extent of love handle removal desired.
Considering Surgical Options:
For those with a history of significant weight loss, like yourself, skin may not sufficiently retract following liposuction alone, making a lower body lift a more suitable option.
Consulting with a plastic surgeon experienced in 360 circumferential lower body lifts is essential to discuss the procedure in detail and understand the expected outcomes.
In summary, a lower body lift is a comprehensive solution for removing love handles and improving body contours, particularly beneficial for individuals with significant weight loss.
I hope this response provides clarity on how a lower body lift can effectively address your concerns with love handles. Wishing you the best as you continue your body transformation journey.
Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and based on your pictures it looks like you will benefit from a lower back lift and inferior buttock lift,an in person consultation would be best with a board certified PS.

Michael Brucker, MD · Answer

Congratulations on your long-term weight loss success.  Based on your photos you are a candidate for completion of your posterior body lift with liposuction of the lower back/love handle area and this will improve your waist, lift your buttocks, and improve your outer thighs.  I don't recommend making the incision higher to remove the love handles as this is safely improved with liposuction and keeping the posterior scar lower helps it to stay hidden under clothes more easily.  Some surgeons recommend fat transfer to the buttocks but this comes with unusually high risks including death that need to be weighed carefully.  Best of luck to you.

John LoMonaco, MD, FACS · Answer

Yes...a buttock lift will not only shape the hips and waist but also lift the buttocks, correct the sides of your legs (if needed) and we could also do fat grafting or transfer could also be done if you want more buttock fullness.

John Zavell, MD, FACS · Answer

A lower body lift should vastly improve your love handle areas, especially the laxity,  and lift your buttocks as well as the outer thighs. Tightening the love handles and lifting the outer thighs/buttocks is part of what a lower body lift should do.  I would recommend a second opinion from another plastic surgeon.  good luck

Pravin Reddy, MD · Answer

Thank you for a great question.I would recommend liposuction of the hip area (love handles) combined with a lower body lift.  These procedures may be combined safely in the same surgery by a surgeon experienced in body contouring in the massive weight loss patient.  A properly executed LBL should lift the buttocks and outer thigh as well.Good luck with your future treatments.

Pavan Murdeshwar, MCh · Answer

Hello.... First of all, regards to u on losing such a huge weight and the post weight loss your body contouring is well defined. But as of now I feel the BBL will give you the desired results of lifted butts, outer thighs and losing the fat in the love handles, rather than a LBL. If it was a primary surgery then I would have suggested a circumferential body lift to get good butt contour. But as we do these stuff regularly, I feel you will be benefited more by re arranging the fat in those area to the butts and getting a good midwaist rather than removing it. All the best.

Ven Erella, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Back part of LBL address hips and buttocks and helps to rise buttocks and outer thighs. Love handles are higher and separate anatomical unit and will not be corrected unless chose to go with huh placed incision and that will compromise how much buttock and lateral thigh can be tightened.  Look like you already had TT. Hope this helps.

Will a lower body lift get rid of my love handles?

Answers (11)

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