Banana roll area skin reduction. Do I need a lift? I know cutting to the gluteal fold is not advisable. Any ideas? (photo)

Thank you for your question regarding what to do with extra skin in the gluteal fold. This is not an uncommon problem. Basically, you have excess skin, not excess fat. The only way to get rid of excess skin is with skin excision and that requires an incision. I would suggest an incision in the infra-gluteal fold. The infra-gluteal fold is where the back of the thigh meets the buttock.  I have performed this procedure many times. I am not sure why you have been told that an incision in the infra-gluteal fold is not a wise idea. I would seek a consultation with an experienced Board Plastic Surgeon who has done many gluteal fold incisions. The gluteal fold incision is used to elevate the posterior thigh during a crescent thigh lift. This is a very common procedure for plastic surgeon who specializes in patients after major weight loss. I believe any other technique will make your situation worse, not better. Please stay away from liposuction or any form of liposuction which promise to deliver results. I think in your case,  further liposuction will make it worse, not better. Thank you for your question regarding excess skin on the gluteal fold
I specialize in banana roll reductions.  If you have any more questions regarding banana roll reduction, or posterior thigh liposuction, please contact my office.  Since your banana roll surgery is unique and requires a revision, which is more difficult than an initial surgery, please seek an experienced, board certified plastic surgeon with significant experience performing these types of banana roll reductions. Do your research.  Make sure your chosen plastic surgeon has performed at least 100 banana roll reduction.  Make sure they have the before and after pictures to prove it.  Carefully examine their before and after pictures and check their reviews on RealSelf.   Sincerely, Dr. Katzen. (“Verified” Plastic Surgeon , 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 and RealSelf Hall of Fame.)

Thank you for the question.  As others have said here, banana rolls are difficult to treat because if you remove enough skin to make them disappear when standing, when you flex your hip, you will widen the scar or worse limit your motion.  An in person consultation is the best way to proceed here as each person's skin quality differs and so too would the recommended treatments.

The banana roll is vastly different in different people.  The banana rolls may require a number of interventions dependent upon degree of skin laxity.  Based on your pictures you seem to be a good candidate for liposuction in that area with BodyTite to tighten you posterior thighs.

Hello dear.As you said, banana rolls are very tricky area and it's hard to tell for sure without an in-person consultation and examination what is the best option for you. If you are considering any type of surgery, I would suggest you to please consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and best recommendations for you.Best of lucks,Dr. Luis Mejia. 

Dear Gym_girl 17,
you are right, banana rolls are very tricky area and it is hard to tell for sure without an examination what is the best option. If you are considering a surgery, I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MD

it would be helpful to see you in real life to assess the elasticity of the skin. Smartlipo does give some skin tightening. It definitely will not make you perfect but may be helpful. I do not think surgery in this area is very effective. The problem is if skin is excised, if enough skin is excised to remove the loose skin, then when you fully flex your hip, it will cause the scar to either split or stretch. Therefore, very little skin can removed.david berman md

Thsnks for the question.  I know that it is not always advisable to perform an incision along the buttocks fold as had been done for many years in body contouring Plastic Surgery, but you may still be a very good candidate to have this performed because you are so trim.  I had followed a patient who had this performed recently and she has had a very good result.  Choose a very qualified Plastic Surgeon, ask all of your questions, and good luck to you!

Have a Happy Holiday!

Frank Rieger M.D.  Tampa Plastic Surgeon