Lower Body Lift in New York City

How do I prepare for a Lower Body Lift?

As previously stated, one of the most important considerations in preparation for your NYC lower body lift is a regimen of exercise and diet and the achievement of excellent health and fitness, as well as the lowest sustainable BMI. All pre and postoperative instructions will be reviewed at an office visit two weeks prior to surgery. Prescriptions will be given at this visit, and any questions that remain will be answered. Routine laboratory work and medical clearance will be arranged.

What Is the Lower Body Lift Procedure

Lower body lift surgery is most often an inpatient procedure. The body lift surgery takes approximately six hours. There are myriad factors upon which the best lower body lift techniques are selected. In general, the skin and soft tissue excess is predominantly vertical in nature, and as such, most can be well-treated with a circumferential dermolipectomy (a circumferential lower body lift). When abdominal bulge is present in these cases, repair of diastasis recti (the reestablishment of continuity of the rectus abdominus muscles) is performed. Similar to abdominoplasty techniques, the umbilicus (navel or belly button) is transposed. Suction-assisted lipectomy (liposuction) is a technique used during lower body lift to reduce regional fat excess and to sculpt the midsection to accentuate natural contours and further refine the results. On rare occasions when marked skin and soft tissue excess is both vertical and horizontal in nature, a fleur-de-lis abdominoplasty technique is added to the circumferential body lift approach. The On-Q anesthetic delivery system is used in all cases, with which you will go home, that dramatically lessens discomfort postop.

How do I recover after a Lower Body Lift

Most will spend one night in-hospital or surgical facility. Discharge will be on the morning following surgery. The On-Q catheters are removed approximately 4 days following body lift, and the closed suction drain tubes are removed approximately seven to ten days after surgery. Dr. Kolker recommends taking two weeks off from work, however in instances where the workload is “light”, with minimal lifting or strain, nine to ten days may be feasible. Virtually all sutures are dissolvable; hence no suture removal will be required. Abdominal binders are not used. Some swelling is anticipated for approximately two weeks, which resolves significantly by six weeks. Most swelling is expected to resolve by twelve weeks following lower body lift.

Dr. Kolker recommends taking two weeks off from work and strenuous activity, however on a select basis, return at 8 to 10 days may be possible. Resumption of light activities and lifting of light children begins at 7 to 10 days. As all sutures are dissolvable and placed beneath the skin surface, suture removal is not required. Swelling is generally present for approximately two weeks after lower body lift, resolves substantially at six weeks, and final shape is reached approximately 12 weeks after surgery.

Can I exercise after a Lower Body Lift?

Light exercise (elliptical, treadmill) resumes approximately two weeks after lower body lift, and more vigorous exercise resumes at four to six weeks. There are no restrictions for cardio, strength or core exercise past 12 weeks.

What do I do after my Lower Body Lift?

You will be seen periodically by Dr. Kolker during the first weeks following body lift surgery, at the six-week and twelve-week points, and again at one year. Dr. Kolker and his staff are always available to you during your recovery.