What is the Typical Recovery from a Lower Body Lift?

Thank you for your photos.  It appears you have a relatively small amount of skin which actually hangs although the skin may be loose in other areas.  If you are concerned about the loose/hanging skin of your abdomen, sides and the buttock area then a lower body lift, which lifts and rejuvenates the entire trunk would give you the best result.  I routinely do this as a single operation in approximately 4 hours.  There is one night in the hospital and recovery is 2 - 4 weeks.  Recovery is longer for the lower body lift vs the tummy tuck as the surgery is more extensive, but the overall correction of the trunk is better with the lower body lift.  If you work at a desk then returning to work in 2 weeks should be possible.  Complication rates are low if proper pre operative and post operative instructions, especially about walking, are followed.

Recovery from 'tummy tucks" and body lift surgery in men is very different than in women. This is because usually muscle tightening does not need to be done in men. Why? Because women are the ones who get pregnant and sacrifice their bodies for the sake of having a family! Pregnancy causes a lot of stretching of the muscles which often do not shrink back. These muscles are routinely tightened in tummy tucks for women. In men, even those that have lost a lot of weight, the tummy muscles can be strengthened through exercise. and core strengthening. Therefore these operations turn into just skin operations for men. Less muscle work means less pain. And this means an easier recovery. Depending upon your work you might be able to return after a week, probably two at the max. This doesn't mean that you will be completely healed. That will take a few months. Light exercise can uually resume by six weeks. it's always best to get your info straight from the surgeon so go treat yourself to a consultation. Good luck.

Your history and pictures suggest that you would be an excellent candidate for a body lift procedure. Lower body lifts remove excess abdominal and back tissue, tightens the abdominal muscles and lift the buttocks in an upward direction.Patients can anticipate limited physical activity for ten to fourteen days following surgery. I typically tell my patients bathroom and kitchen privileges initially with slow resumption of normal activity over the next two weeks. Patients can usually return to work in two weeks, if no strenuous activity or heavy lifting is involved. After six weeks, they can resume all their normal activities including heavy lifting.Patients typically wear an abdominal binder for three weeks following surgery. This minimizes swelling and increases comfort. Drains are placed at the time of surgery and are usually removed within two weeks of surgery. Pain management is extremely important, especially when the abdominal muscles are tightened. Most patients are initially given narcotic pain relievers and switched to Tylenol five to seven days following surgery.Patients with small children should have assistance with childcare for at least one week and patients should not drive while taking narcotics. For many patients, body lift surgery is a life changing experience. It's not unusual for patients to experience dramatic changes in their self esteem, self confidence and self image.