I’m 56 years old and have a global lumbar fusion L3-L5. I have lots of loose skin. Can I get lower body lift?

Question

I have lost about 81 pounds. I am 5’ 1/2” tall and went from 196 to 108 through diet and exercise. Recently, I went on hormones for a few months and gained to 115 that I’m desperately trying to get back off. Otherwise, I’ve been stable for 2 years. I gained all of the weight with my traumatic back injury, meds, low thyroid, menopause, and chronic pain. I’m 56 years old and have a global lumbar fusion L3-L5. I have lots of loose skin. Can I get lower body lift? Thank you!

Jeffrey A. Sweat, MD · Answer

As long as your overall health is good, which it sounds to be, then you should be fine having a lower body lift.  It seems that you have gained only about 7 pounds with the hormones you mentioned, and it's possible that a LBL could remove that much weight, but it should not be considered a weight loss surgery.  I always recommend that patients be at their ideal weight prior to surgery but I doubt that the loss of 7 pounds after surgery if you were to do so would have a significant effect on your postoperative results.  It's most important that you be happy with the way your body looks more than the absolute number of how much you weigh.  Best of luck!

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question regarding whether you can get a body lift with global lumbar fusion L3-L5. The short answer is yes. The most important thing is where and what type of hardware was used for your lumbar fusion. Sometimes an anterior approach is performed where your spine surgeon goes through your abdomen and fuses the spine from the front; sometimes, the spine is fused from the back. Either way, X-rays will be necessary preoperatively to determine the position of your hardware. however 
I have performed many body lifts on patients with orthopedic hardware without incident. The body lift can be planned so that the hardware is completely avoided and infections are minimized. Please seek a board-certified plastic surgeon. Good luck with your body lift. 
I specialize in reconstructive plastic surgery after weight loss.  If you have any more questions regarding the lower body lift, 360 circumferential lower body lift, belt lipectomy, belt abdominoplasty, or belt dermolipectomy please contact my office. Since the body lift is a big procedure, please seek an experienced, board certified plastic surgeon with significant experience performing the lower body lift. Do your research.  Make sure they have performed at least 100 circumferential lower body lift surgeries and have the before and after pictures to prove it.  Carefully examine their before and after pictures and check their reviews on RealSelf.   If you cannot find an experienced lower body lift surgeon in your neighborhood, consider traveling out of state if you must. Sincerely, Dr. Katzen. (“Verified” Plastic Surgeon, President of  the American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Fellow of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American College of Surgery, and International College of Surgery and ​member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and RealSelf Hall of Fame.)

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear antiqueluver3,it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. If you are considering a surgery, I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Adolfo Sesto, MD · Answer

Hi. Yes, you can have a Tummy Tuck plus Lipo and BBL to reconstruct your body contour after such an amazing weight loss. Without pictures is impossible to say wehter it will consist in a belt lipectomy.As for your spine problem the surgery will help you since I perform the procedure under IV sedation and epidural anesthesia, which is one of the treatments use to avoid  pain in the back due to such conditions as lumbar fusion.International Member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)
Member of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS)
25 year experience

Curtis Wong, MD · Answer

are one routinely if your health is good and there are no issues with others turning you while under anesthesia.  So invest in a consultation or two and see what your local surgeons tell you.  But if you are healthy, it should be a doable thing for you.

I’m 56 years old and have a global lumbar fusion L3-L5. I have lots of loose skin. Can I get lower body lift?

Answers (9)

Answer: I’m 56 years old and have a global lumbar fusion L3-L5. I have lots of loose skin. Can I get lower body lift?

Answer: I’m 56 years old and have a global lumbar fusion L3-L5. I have lots of loose skin. Can I get lower body lift?

Answer: Lower body lifts with lumbar fusions

Answer: Lower body lifts with lumbar fusions

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I’m 56 years old and have a global lumbar fusion L3-L5. I have lots of loose skin. Can I get lower body lift?

Answers (9)

Answer: I’m 56 years old and have a global lumbar fusion L3-L5. I have lots of loose skin. Can I get lower body lift?

Answer: I’m 56 years old and have a global lumbar fusion L3-L5. I have lots of loose skin. Can I get lower body lift?

Answer: Lower body lifts with lumbar fusions

Answer: Lower body lifts with lumbar fusions

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Body Lift

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.