When Skin is Cut off During a Body Lift, How Much is Fat and How Much is Lean Body Mass?

Thank you for your question regarding once the skin is cut off during a body lift how much is fat and how much is lean body mass? First, let’s define what lean body mass is. Lean body mass is everything in your body except fat, including muscles, organs, bones, skin, and water. Since muscles, organs, and bones are not removed during a body lift. The only components removed during a body lift that fall under the definition of lean body mass are skin and body water. If you’ve been given a previous estimate of 20 to 30 pounds of total weight removed with a body lift, it can be estimated that approximately 3 to 5 pounds (skin and water) of this 20 to 30 pound resection would be from lean body mass. Therefore, the rest of the body lift specimen consists of fat. Therefore, the amount of fat in the body of the specimen could range from 15 to 27 pounds. Most plastic surgeons do not weigh a specimen in accordance with lean body mass. Lean body mass is typically calculated after lower body lift surgery on the patient, rather than from the specimen removed during the body lift procedure. I know you want to achieve a goal of 8% total body fat; however, the more accurate calculation is to measure your percent body fat after the lower body lift, rather than measuring the amount of fat in the body lift specimen.
Also, body lift specimens vary from patient to patient. For some patients, the body lift specimen is mostly skin. However, the majority of patients’ body lift specimens are mostly comprised of fat and skin. Usually, the amount of collective tissue in a body lift specimen is negligible. Thank you for your question regarding when skin is cut off during a lower body lift how much is fat and how much is lean body mass?
Most plastic surgeons offer complimentary virtual or in-person consultations. Therefore, explore what other plastic surgeons have to say. If you have any further questions about a lower body lift, please consult with an experienced plastic surgeon for personalized guidance. Please consult an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon with a proven track record of performing lower body lift. Ensure they have performed numerous lower-body lift procedures and have before-and-after pictures to demonstrate their expertise. Carefully examine their before-and-after pictures and check their reviews on RealSelf. If you cannot find an experienced plastic surgeon in your area, consider traveling to another state. Sincerely, Dr. Katzen. ( Plastic Surgeon, President of the American Society of Bariatric 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, RealSelf Hall of Fame, and RealSelf Doctor Advisory Board for Medical Review and Consumer Panel.)

Most plastic surgeons refer to a body lift as a circumferential body lift = belt lipectomy.  This procedure is essentially 3 procedures in one: extended tummy tuck + waist/lateral thigh lift + buttock lift (with the option of buttock augmentation).  So a body lift will not treat the upper medial thighs or inner thighs.   Please visit with a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery to learn more about your options.

Dear Plaidly,

In a body lift procedure, the only tissues removed are skin and fat.  The muscles and other deep tissues are not removed.

Thank you for the question.

During body lifting,  skin, subcutaneous tissue and adipose tissue are excised. None of these tissues should be considered “lean body mass”. I hope this helps.

I know of no Plastic surgery colleague who bases the amount of excess skin and fat removal on a pre-set weight reduction goal. Nor do surgeons analyze the removed excess trunk skin and fat for their exact component parts. Many people who decide to change their life style by eating healthier and exercising become focused and driven in this goal. While it changes ther lives for the better it really does not help us as Plastic surgeons. When encountering people who underwent large volume weight losses we work with them on planning the best path for them to get rid of the excess skin reminding them of their long gone bodies and help bring out their new bodies by removing all excess skin. The weight of the skin, it's fat composition is immaterial. As a service to you, your surgeon surgeon surgeon would gladly weigh and photograph the skin and fat removed from you, if you so wish. 

When the excess skin is excised it includes all the fat attached to it down to the muscle. No "lean body mass" is removed.