I had a lower body lift and am unhappy with the amount of lipo/excess skin removed. What can be done? (Photo)

Question

I had a lower body lift 2 mo ago and am unhappy with the results. There was no lipo done to my stomach, only to my flanks (and just a bit) and I don't feel the skin was pulled taut enough above the navel, causing for bunched skin... What can I do? I need a revision for the back already where 2" went uncut and is now puffy of excess skin. Also is that a dogear in the one pic?

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question regarding what can be done after a 360 circumferential lower body lift if you are unhappy with the amount of lipo/excess skin. If you are unhappy with the results, you should seek a revision. Revisions can include liposuction and further resection of skin. In the attached picture, you are slightly bent and pinching your abdomen. You must realize that there must be some laxity to the skin so that you can stand up straight. If the abdomen is perfectly flat when you're sitting, you cannot stand. Also, you are only two months out from your lower body lift. I would wait an additional four months before you reevaluate your results. I would suggest conscious eating and exercise to help optimize your results. Also, you can either wait on the dog ear to potentially have the whole body revised or undergo the dog ear revision earlier. In terms of the body lift revision, the entire scar can be revised, and additional skin can be respected. Alternatively, just a revision of the front portion of the abdomen results in a revision tummy tuck. Another alternative would be to place a vertical scar from between the breast to the belly button and then to the pubic region. This is a vertical scar, but this will eliminate the excess skin you pinch in your picture. This will eliminate the excess vertical skin. Sometimes with a body lift, the excess horizontal skin is removed but not the vertical; these are things to revisit when visiting your plastic surgeon. I hope I've answered your question about what to do with excess skin and fat after a 360 body lift and what you can do to revise it.

George Bitar, MD · Answer

Residual skin laxity is common in the post bariatric paitent.  Repeat skin tightening will help but there will be some expense involved as this is not a failure of the surgery, but a result of your skin condition.

David Stoker, MD · Answer

Because skin elasticity is greatly diminished after massive weight loss, patients may have some residual skin laxity after all swelling is resolved.  Performing a secondary abdominoplasty with more extensive dissection will likely accomplish the goal.  In a small minority of cases it may be advantageous to use a vertical scar as well.

Christian A. Prada, MD, FACS · Answer

Sometimes the only way to get rid of excess skin in a horizontal direction is to perform a vertical incision on the abdomen. I rarely like this incision after it heals so I try to pull the abdominal skin laterally toward the hips and buttocks.  Without examining you its difficult for me to assess the quality of your skin. Im sure if you work closely with your PS he/she will work with you.

Edward J. Domanskis, MD (in memoriam) · Answer

Face and body contouring is my specialty I am President of the American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons. I try and get insurance to cover these procedures. If patients are out of town or not near my satellite offices, I have them send photos and set up consultations over internet.

I had a lower body lift and am unhappy with the amount of lipo/excess skin removed. What can be done? (Photo)

Answers (5)

Answer: I had a lower body lift and am unhappy with the amount of lipo/excess skin removed. What can be done?

Answer: I had a lower body lift and am unhappy with the amount of lipo/excess skin removed. What can be done?

Answer: Can I have a revision to tighten everything more after weight loss?

Answer: Can I have a revision to tighten everything more after weight loss?

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I had a lower body lift and am unhappy with the amount of lipo/excess skin removed. What can be done? (Photo)

Answers (5)

Answer: I had a lower body lift and am unhappy with the amount of lipo/excess skin removed. What can be done?

Answer: I had a lower body lift and am unhappy with the amount of lipo/excess skin removed. What can be done?

Answer: Can I have a revision to tighten everything more after weight loss?

Answer: Can I have a revision to tighten everything more after weight loss?

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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.