A real Lower Body Lift includes a tummy tuck, outer thigh lift, and a buttock lift

In my practice, I take care of a lot of patients who want plastic surgery after weight loss. During the last ten years the term “lower body lift” has become much more familiar with the public as the result of the surge in bariatric surgery, but I find that patients don’t necessarily understand what the operation really is…
A true Lower Body Lift includes a tummy tuck, outer thigh lift, and a buttock lift all performed during one operation.  The effect is similar to pulling up a pair of loose fitting pants while flattening the tummy area.  Many times we also perform liposuction to the outer thighs or saddle sacks and the flanks.
Many plastic surgeons claim to be doing a lower body lift, but in fact are doing something known as a “Belt Lipectomy”.   With a belt lipectomy, the extra skin around the torso may be removed along with a tummy tuck, but there is no true attempt to perform a thigh lift.  This is unfortunate and a missed opportunity for anyone undergoing a body contouring procedure.
It is important to realize that the inner thighs are not operated upon, but  you may see some improvement as a result of a lower body lift.  The inner thigh lift is typically addressed later for safety reasons.
Feel free to contact my office if you have other questions.  I happen to do a lot of these operations.