When you’re putting a lot of effort into maintaining a healthy lifestyle by eating a better combination of food and exercising regularly, you deserve to have a body that reflects that. Unfortunately, stubborn fat and skin laxity can be a reality for almost anyone, especially in areas such as the abdomen, flank and thighs.
If you’ve tried everything and feel that surgery might be the only way for you to finally reach your goals, abdominoplasty and lower body lift have probably popped up on your radar. Let’s take a closer look at these two procedures.
How is Lipectomy and Abdominoplasty Different?
Both abdominoplasty and lower body lift are designed to contour and remove excess fat from the body. There’s no doubt that abdominoplasty is more commonly performed and is a smaller procedure. It eliminates excess skin, tightens separated stomach muscles and removes fat in the lower belly at the same time. It is most frequently performed after pregnancies because of changes to the muscles and skin of the tummy. Abdominoplasty is well known as a tummy tuck, while a lower body lift is also referred to as a belt lipectomy.
A lower body lift is used to remove fat and excess skin from all the way around the body like a belt at the level of the underwear line, not just the abdomen. A lower body lift is most frequently performed after massive weight loss because this causes changes all the way around the body. It is able to tighten the outside thigh, flank and lift the buttock in addition to tightening the tummy. A lower body lift includes a tummy tuck or abdominoplasty.
A body lift will target excess fat that extends along the abdomen and into the flank, back, outer thigh and buttock areas, resulting in a firmer, lifted appearance all the way around the trunk.
How the Combination Procedure is Performed
A lower body lift is a larger procedure than a tummy tuck and takes about twice as long.
Once a general anaesthetic has been administered, you are positioned on your tummy and the buttock and outer thigh lift is performed first in addition to liposuction through the back and waist. The incision around the back is just above the buttock and is planned to sit in the underwear line for concealment. The buttock and hip tissue will now be elevated. The buttock can also be contoured further with fat grafting to enhance the projection and shape, resulting in a curvier, shapelier silhouette.
You will then be rolled onto a new operating table on your back and a tummy tuck is then performed. Excess skin and fat that is present in the lower abdomen is lifted off the muscle. The abdominal muscles are tightened to narrow the waist, strengthen the core muscle group and create a more toned abdominal appearance. The navel is repositioned to fit in with the new contours of this area.
The excess loose skin and fat will be stretched down and removed. Drains will be placed underneath the skin to remove any excess fluids during the first few days, which aids the healing process. The skin is then closed with dissolving sutures.
Abdominoplasty vs Lower Body Lift: Which Procedure is Right for You?
In most instances, a tummy tuck is ideal for patients who are experiencing an increase in skin laxity due to ageing especially after pregnancies. It’s also ideal for those who want to recover their post-pregnancy bodies but still have good tone and definition in the thigh and buttock area.
However, if the skin laxity extends to the hip, thigh and buttock area, a belt lipectomy might be a better choice for you. This is especially common after significant weight loss. The best procedure depends upon your goals, body shape and concerns. To determine the best option for you it’s best to schedule a consultation with a qualified plastic surgeon such is A/Prof Magnusson. You may even find that there are other alternatives you can look at depending on the severity of your concerns.
Overall, there are many ways to improve the size and shape of your body. Today, there are an array of surgical and non-surgical procedures available to those who have contouring and fat reduction requirements. Speaking to a surgeon about your concerns can help you gain a better understanding of the options available to you, so that you can start planning accordingly.