Body lift vs extended tummy tuck and butt lift/BBL after weight loss

Question

Hello, I lost a lot of weight. I am 5’0 and a little under 100 pounds. I need my butt lifted, my breasts lifted, and my entire abdomen done- I may or may not need a fleur de lis. I do not need inner thighs done, as I’ve had that done. I am conflicted if it’s best to do a lower body lift with a fleur de lis (if needed) which will address abdomen plus butt with my breast lift? Or, get an extended TT and breast lift and then come back for a butt lift later on. I do not want breast implants and I do not have enough body fat for a BBL so I just need it lifted. Best to combine everyone and do a full body lift or break it up?

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

It is very difficult to give advice without any photos or in person evaluation. In general, your options are as you stated. One option that I would consider is belt lipectomy ( circumferential lower body lift with abdominoplasty) including buttock lift with augmentation with your own tissue in form of supergluteal skin/fat flaps. Breast lift can be done separately. Good luck.

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello, and thank you for your question about whether it’s better to get a lower body lift versus an extended tummy tuck, butt lift, and BBL after a 100-pound weight loss.
Thank you for your history.  Pictures and the physical examination are important for accurate diagnosis and for developing a further treatment plan.  However, in general, after a 100-pound weight loss, if you want your abdomen, hips, and buttocks addressed, most plastic surgeons would certainly suggest a 360 circumferential lower body lift.  If your breasts bother you, you can also undergo a breast lift.  If you have excess skin and fat above your belly button, you may need the vertical abdominoplasty component of the 360 body lift.  Some people called this a Fleur-de-Lis.  You could combine the 360 circumferential lower body lift with the mastopexy or breast lift.  Most plastic surgeons would not suggest undergoing an extended tummy tuck with a breast lift and then, later, undergo a posterior butt lift.  The “tissue issue” occurs over the lateral hip or the lateral extent of the extended tummy tuck.  With significant weight loss, most patients need an abdominoplasty, hip lift, hip reduction, and butt lift.  With the extended tummy tuck, the abdominoplasty or tummy portion of the lower body lift incision is carried from the mons or pubic region over the hip.  When you return for the posterior body lift, the incision would extend from the top of the buttock cleft forward over the hip region.  Usually, what happens is that the hip region is lifted and reduced twice.  During the abdominoplasty, the hip region is tapered or feathered to avoid a dog-ear.   That means over the hip, not as much tissue is removed to avoid a significant dog-ear.  During the posterior body lift, the hips can be lifted and reduced more.  However, to minimize the dog-ear from the posterior body lift, the incision is tapered into the abdominoplasty scar.  Usually, during a posterior body lift after an extended tummy tuck, the incision is carried down to the iliac spine.  The posterior body lift usually winds up as not a 360° circumferential lower body lift but a 270° or a 300° circumferential lower body lift.  That means there is a segment over the hip that ranges by about 8 to 10 inches, which is lifted and reduced twice.    Revising this area twice is just extra time under anesthesia, extra surgery, extra expense, and a higher risk of wound complications.   If planned accordingly, it would not need to be done twice.  A 360 circumferential lower body lift would avoid this and only address the hips once.

Therefore, most experienced board-certified plastic surgeons who specialize in reconstructive plastic surgery after massive weight loss would suggest undergoing a 360 circumferential lower body lift and mastopexy.  Most plastic surgeons would not suggest a two-stage procedure, including an extended tummy tuck and mastopexy to be followed by a posterior buttock lift.  Good luck.  If you have any more questions regarding the lower body lift, 360 circumferential lower body lift, belt lipectomy, belt abdominoplasty, or belt dermolipectomy, please get in touch with an experienced plastic surgeon.  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, MD, MBA.  (President of  the American Society of Bariatric Surgeons, Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Fellow of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American College of Surgery, International College of Surgery, and American Board of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, and member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, RealSelf Hall of Fame, and RealSelf Doctor Advisory Board for Medical Review and Consumer Panel.)

Thomas Trevisani, MD · Answer

Congratulations on your weight loss! Without posted photos and the benefit of in person exam- it's difficult to comment accurately as every patient is different . Generally speaking it's common to have circumferencial tummy tuck/ buttock lift ( with or without implant ) and breast in first stage, and second stage-do arms and legs . But again - consultation is essential

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Congratulations on your weight loss!  It's difficult to give a specific recommendation without an in person evaluation or photos.  If you are a candidate for each of the procedures you mentioned you can consider having the circumferential body lift done at the same time as the breast work.  This will allow you to have only one recovery.  It's important to note that you must first be evaluated to know what is best.

Luis A. Mejia, MD · Answer

Dear Loving155455, Thanks for sharing your concerns, it is impossible to recommend procedures without seeing pictures, please send some pictures to properly evaluate your case. Or get in touch for a virtual consultation. Make sure you go on consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon. Hope this helps and best of lucks. Dr. Luis Mejia.

Siamak Agha, MD, PhD, FACS · Answer

There is no right or wrong answer.  It is possible to break a body lift to front and back or do it in one go.  Often times, I do it in one surgery since the results are much better, but occasionally I do it in two for recovery reasons.  Also a body lift not only will take care of you abdomen, and buttocks, but also your lower back, waist, and offers a thigh lift if done comprehensively.  Feel free to browse our extensive body lift and tummy tuck galleries.  Often times, it is possible to avoid a flour-de-lis.  You can also see our extensive body lift work at drsiamakagha on instagram

Body lift vs extended tummy tuck and butt lift/BBL after weight loss

Answers (7)

Answer: Plastic surgery after major weight loss

Answer: Plastic surgery after major weight loss

Answer: My Recomendation

Answer: My Recomendation

Answer: Body Lift

Answer: Body Lift

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Everything you need to know about Body Lift

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Body lift vs extended tummy tuck and butt lift/BBL after weight loss

Answers (7)

Answer: Plastic surgery after major weight loss

Answer: Plastic surgery after major weight loss

Answer: My Recomendation

Answer: My Recomendation

Answer: Body Lift

Answer: Body Lift

Browse related questions

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.