Should I be concerned with swelling above lower body lift incision? 6 months post-op (photos)

Hello.. thank you for sharing your story and photos. You could have gotten a pretty good idea of what your final result would look like from researching your board-certified plastic surgeon’s before and after photos. At 6 months you may have mild swelling which can be relieved with a good compression garment, but this is about the final product. A lower body lift after weight loss requires meticulous technique in order to have a contoured shape, an enhanced buttocks, and well-placed symmetrical scars. You may need a revision if you are interested in improving your results. We specialize in body lifts and lower body lift revisions and performs over 50 body lifts per year. This is about one of the largest numbers in the USA performed by one single surgeon. Here is a link to my photo gallery so you can see the results of my body lifts. My instagram is also a good resource - @drsiamakagha.

Hi Lynnecarson, Congratulations on your massive weight loss of 140 pounds as well as your lower body lift. If you are still swollen 6 months after your lower body lift, this is NOT normal. I would suggest this be more thoroughly worked up with perhaps an ultrasound or even a CT-Scan. This will determine if the fluid is in the tissue (edema) or if it's outside the tissue (seroma). If the fluid is in the tissue, this is called edema and may respond to a fluid pill, diuretic, compression, and or massage. If the fluid is outside the tissue, it may be a seroma which may require insertion of a needle and drainage. Either way, swelling 6 months after a body lift above the incision s not typical. I hope that I have answered your questions regarding body lift. If you have any more questions regarding body lift or plastic surgery in general, please contact my office. Sincerely,  Dr. Katzen(Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and member of the American Society Plastic Surgeons, International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, and Fellow of American College of Surgeons and American Board for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery)

Thank you for your question;    If you had LBL in July you are still swollen  from the surgical procedure but no much.  I believe you are going to experience little change  in the way you look.  I will consider a SAL of the middle section of your body and fat transfer to the Butt. If you have some other areas of concern you can also have other surgeries done at the same time

Congratulations on your weight loss and lifestyle change!  I appreciate you sharing your photos and concerns.  The results of a body lift can vary based on the design of markings prior to surgery.  During a consultation, it is important to share your concerns and priorities as honestly as possible to ensure that those concerns are prioritized during treatment.  This information helps to design a treatment plan that will most closely reach your goals.  Body lift markings posteriorly that are higher on the waist and back are more effective in treating the love handle bulges and lower back rolls while preserving buttock projection because most of the tissue resected is in that area.  If your body lift markings in the back are lower on the buttock area such as yours, then it will be more effective in lifting the buttock and lateral thighs which you mentioned were priorities.  The trade-off of a lower markings posteriorly is that it is not as effective in correcting the love handles and side area as you are experiencing.  The fullness that you are experiencing is not likely swelling at this point but remaining fat and skin.  The good news is that the area of concern can be treated with liposuction at the time of surgery or afterwards as in your situation.  Thoughtful body lift marking design and planning is key to meeting your goals.  I hope that helps.  Best wishes!

Since swelling tends to go from your trunk towards your feet simply due to gravity, having it collect just above the incision is perfectly normal. For it to occur after 6 months is unusual but could need just a little more time and maybe wear some light compression like spanex garments for a few more weeks. Good luck.

Thanks for your question, lynnecarson.
At 6 months post-op, you may still have a bit of mild swelling, which is probably what you’re experiencing now. If that’s the case, then it will get resolved in a few more months.
However, it’s quite possible that it’s not swelling, but excess fat and skin that need to be removed as well. I suggest that you consult a reputable and board-certified plastic surgeon and get yourself checked just to be sure. He can also recommend your next course of action--whether you should get a revision surgery or not.
Best of luck!

Swelling above a lower body lift incision 6 months post-op could potentially be a cause for concern, but it's important to keep in mind that some degree of swelling can be normal during the healing process, and it may take several months for the swelling to fully resolve.
However, persistent or worsening swelling, especially if accompanied by other symptoms such as redness, warmth, pain, or drainage from the incision site, could be a sign of a problem such as infection or fluid accumulation (seroma). In such cases, it is important to consult with your surgeon or a healthcare professional who is familiar with your specific case. They can assess your condition, perform any necessary tests, and provide appropriate guidance or treatment.
It's always best to err on the side of caution when it comes to post-operative concerns, so don't hesitate to reach out to your surgeon or medical team for an evaluation if you have any doubts or concerns about your recovery. They will be in the best position to provide you with personalized advice based on your individual circumstances.