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Trunk Lift

Achieve the figure you’ve always wanted.

Trunk Lift

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If you have lost a substantial amount of weight, you made the decision to take control of your weight and get healthy – and you succeeded. However, as a result of massive weight loss, excess skin is left behind and may prevent you from fully enjoying your new body and feeling good about yourself.

Our doctors want to give you the body you deserve and worked so hard for. Once you have met with your doctor, he will decide if a trunk lift, also known as lower body lift, is right for you. By creating a safe, individualized procedure, our doctors will remove the excess skin and reshape the lower part of your body to help you achieve a better quality of life and discover your best self.

What is a Trunk Lift?

In this procedure, also known as a lower body lift, the sagging skin of the abdomen, outer thighs, buttocks, hips and waist is improved through incisions that extend all the way around the trunk area to remove a “belt” of excess skin and fat.

A trunk lift can:

  • Flatten the belly
  • Pull up the droopy pubic region
  • Eliminate the hanging apron, the skin that sags or hangs in the front
  • Create a waist
  • Lift the thighs
  • Lift and define the buttocks

Although this type of procedure is most often used in massive weight loss patients, there are other groups that may benefit from this type of surgery:

  • Women who are 30 to 40 pounds overweight, but never obese, and are unable to lose the weight through exercise and a balanced diet
  • Patients who are normal in weight, but desire outstanding body contour
  • Patients who underwent liposuction with excess skin in the area of the lower trunk and/or thighs

Trunk Lift: What to Expect

With extreme weight loss, you may have been left with excess fat and skin that hangs down in the front and continues on to your sides, outer thighs, lower back, and buttocks regions. This type of problem is called circumferential excess.

Your trunk lift will involve removing a wedge of tissue that circles your entire lower trunk area. The procedure starts with the front of your body where the hanging apron of skin and fat are removed and the underlying muscle wall is tightened, similar to a tummy tuck. To remove the excess tissues located on your back and sides, you will be turned in the operating room to allow these areas to be exposed and the surgery to be completed. Liposuction of the thighs is often performed at the same time. The final scar has a similar shape to a “thong bikini.”

Lower Body Lift Recovery

Recovery is an important consideration when making the decision about a lower body lift.  We realize that you may lead a busy life – whether you are a parent, professional or both – and the amount of recovery time is crucial.

A trunk lift should be thought of as an extensive operation and a major life event. You should expect to have drains and plastic tubes that drain blood and body fluids from the areas that were operated on, which will stay in place for a variable amount of time – from a few days to weeks. Recovery from this procedure can take anywhere from three to four weeks, and most patients are instructed to walk bent at the waist for a week. Because of the extent of this procedure, your final results may not be noticed until all swelling has gone down, which may take up to a year.

Your surgeon will provide specific post-operative instructions, and it is important to follow your doctor’s instructions to heal properly and ensure the greatest results. It is crucial to take time for yourself and rest. Remember, you are doing this for you.

Everything you could ask for in a Plastic Surgeon! The staff is amazingly supportive and so helpful walking you through any process. So grateful for all of them!

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