How Soon After Weight Loss Can You Have a Lower Body Lift?
&srotate=0)
Lower body lift surgery often serves as the final step in a complete weight loss transformation, helping patients shed excess skin and finally start enjoying the slimmer, smoother, sexier new physique they worked so hard to achieve. However, it is important to have realistic expectations for the timing of lower body lift surgery after weight loss.
While each patient's journey will be unique, patients typically should plan to wait about 6 –18 months after reaching their goal weight before undergoing skin removal and body contouring procedures, like the lower body lift. Here, Oklahoma City, OK board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Kamal Sawan of Sawan Surgical Aesthetics shares additional information on the waiting period between weight loss and skin removal — and why it matters.
What does a lower body lift do after losing weight?
For post-weight loss patients specifically, lower body lift surgery offers the opportunity to finally get the figure they've been working toward. In many cases, significant weight loss — especially in a short period of time or for patients who have been overweight for an extended period of time — results in hanging, loose skin. With a lower body lift, Dr. Sawan can remove excess, stretched-out skin after weight loss, tighten the remaining skin, and reshape the lower body for a stunning new look.
What does a lower body lift include?
Lower body lift surgery typically addresses the following areas:
- Lower abdomen
- Lower back
- Flanks (love handles)
- Hips
- Buttocks
It's important to note that Dr. Sawan does not include thigh lift as part of lower body lift surgery, though it may be combined with the procedure for patients who have specific concerns about loose thigh skin and other issues on the inner and/or outer thigh.
How soon can I get a lower body lift after losing weight?
It's understandable to be anxious to get a lower body lift as soon as possible after hitting your goal weight, but patients are typically encouraged or even required to wait at least 6 – 12 or up to 18 months, in some cases, before having their procedure. This allows the body time to recover and adjust from rapid weight loss, and it also gives the patient an opportunity to establish a consistent, sustainable, healthy weight that can set them up for long-term success after their lower body lift.
What if I gain weight after lower body lift surgery?
One of the most important reasons to wait for lower body lift surgery after weight loss is to ensure you've achieved a sustainable and consistent new weight — as weight gain after lower body lift can compromise or even reverse the outcome of your procedure. To avoid gaining weight after body lift surgery, be sure to:
- Wait at least 6 – 12 months after hitting goal weight to have cosmetic surgery
- Maintain a healthy, balanced diet and stay hydrated
- Limit alcohol intake
- Exercise regularly
- Keep stress levels in check
- Get plenty of sleep
With these simple lifestyle choices, you can help maintain the results of your weight loss journey and lower body lift surgery for years, decades, or even a lifetime.
Set yourself up for success by choosing the right time for lower body lift surgery in Oklahoma City, OK
If you've put in the hard work and patience to achieve your extreme weight loss goals but are frustrated by loose skin that's holding you back, we are here to help. While you may not be able to get a lower body lift right after weight loss, the dramatic and lasting results are considered worth the wait. For more information about when to get a lower body lift after weight loss, don't hesitate to call Sawan Surgical Aesthetics to schedule your private consultation with board-certified Oklahoma City plastic surgeon Dr. Kamal Sawan today.