Which is better, infragluteal thigh lift or buttocks wedge excision? (Photos)

Question

I had a tummy tuck and lipo to lateral, medial, and posterior thighs. Also, lipo to top of buttock. My buttock drastically dropped and is touch the back my thighs. I am devastated and cannot stand feeling my my buttock and thighs touching. Is a infragluteal thigh lift or a Buttocks Wedge Excision better? I went to a board certified plastic surgeon as well. I am 5’3 and 115 lbs.

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question regarding what to do with your buttock and thighs after a tummy tuck and buttock liposuction. I also understand your frustration with your buttock touching your thigh's back. You had asked for a consultation regarding infragluteal incision or perhaps more liposuction. In my opinion, I would not suggest the infragluteal incision or even the buttock wedge incision. Instead, I would recommend a posterior body lift or a buttock lift. During this surgery, an incision would be made from the buttock crease, over the top of the buttock, and connect with the tummy tuck scar. The resulting scar would appear like a circumferential lower body lift. During this procedure, dissection would be done down the infragluteal fold, and the buttock would be raised and reduced. In my opinion, this would be the best way to get rid of the excess skin and fat on your buttock. Asymmetric lifts and reduction are to be performed on the buttock to correct for your present symmetry. I think this would give a far better yield than the infragluteal fold excision or the buttock fold excision. The procedure would take approximately 4 hours to complete. Plan on a 2-3 week recovery. The key to success for this procedure is to remain straight for about three weeks, which means laying flat on your back or flat on your tummy. I hope this helps answer your question. 
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.)

Which is better, infragluteal thigh lift or buttocks wedge excision? (Photos)

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Which is better, infragluteal thigh lift or buttocks wedge excision? (Photos)

Answers (1)

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Everything you need to know about Thigh Lift

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