Plastic Surgeon in Atlanta Georgia
Lower Body Lift in Atlanta, Georgia
Why Choose a Lower Body Lift?
A lower body lift is a surgical procedure to remove excess skin and fat from the abdomen, hips and lower back, to lift the buttocks and outer thighs, and to tighten the underlying muscles of the abdominal wall. It is frequently combined with liposuction, so you are also encouraged to also read our information on liposuction.
The combined effects of aging, gravity, childbirth, fluctuations in weight, and a loss of skin elasticity all contribute to loss of tone in the abdomen, buttocks and thighs as we age. A lower body lift can markedly improve the appearance of your abdomen, buttocks and outer thighs.
A lower body lift is a significant operation with the potential for significant improvements. Patients who have done the work to lose a large amount of weight often find that a lower body lift completes the process, allowing them to fully enjoy the results of their hard work to reshape their bodies. Lower body lifts, however, are not for everyone. To find out if you would be an appropriate candidate for a lower body lift, contact Dr. Kavali, a board-certified plastic surgeon.
The Consultation
If you think you might be a good candidate for a lower body lift, this page will give you a basic understanding of the procedure and the results you can expect. The cornerstone of Dr. Kavali's approach is to individualize treatment to your specific circumstances and goals, and to ensure that you have an adequate understanding of the issues involved so that you are able to make a fully informed decision.
Dr. Kavali approaches the lower body lift procedure to meet your specific needs. This means adequately assessing three factors- excess skin, excess fat, and anterior abdominal wall muscle weakness. Each of these components will help determine which procedure is best for you.
During your initial consultation, Dr. Kavali will inquire about your medical history, prior procedures, medications, allergies, and your motivations for seeking plastic surgery. It is very important that you be thorough when providing your medical history, as this information helps to prevent complications during your care. When asked about medications, be sure to include any vitamin or herbal preparations, as these can affect your blood pressure and clotting ability. Honesty regarding your use of tobacco and alcohol is also very important, as these may have a profound impact on your recovery period and your ability to heal following your procedure.
After reviewing your medical history, Dr. Kavali will discuss your concerns, priorities, and motivations for pursuing plastic surgery, as well as your fears. After examining you, Dr. Kavali will be able to offer advice and options to help you achieve the appearance you desire. She will explain the advantages and disadvantages of the different options you have before you.
At the completion of your consultation, our Patient Coordinator will give you a written estimate of the cost of your procedure. At this time, you will also have the option to schedule your procedure if you so choose. The decision to undergo surgery is a very important one, and the final decision should be given very careful consideration. Dr. Kavali realizes the importance of this decision, and at no time will you be pressured to make a decision. You are also encouraged to bring your spouse, significant other, family member, or a friend to your consultation.
Our goal is to provide you with the "ultimate patient experience". Our well-trained staff will help you understand your procedure, our financial policies, the scheduling of your surgery, and your postoperative care. Dr. Kavali is also available 24 hours a day for emergencies, and she will give you her cell phone number after surgery so that you will always be able to reach her with any questions you might have.
Where the Surgery is Performed
Dr. Kavali has been granted staff privileges at several local hospitals and outpatient surgery centers. In the interest of the safety of her patients, she only performs surgery in fully accredited facilities with the proper services and staff. Dr. Kavali usually performs lower body lifts at Northside Hospital's Meridian Mark Outpatient Surgery Center, a fully accredited facility, because the staff of this facility are very experienced in the care of plastic surgery patients in general and specifically in the care of Dr. Kavali's patients.
Type of Anesthesia
Anesthesia is an essential part of any surgical procedure and must be performed safely. General anesthesia is the deepest form of anesthesia. You are asleep, feel no pain, and will not remember the procedure. This form of anesthesia is required for a lower body lift procedure.
The prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting is also a focus of Dr. Kavali's approach to lower body lift surgery. To improve your overall experience and ensure you feel better faster following your lower body lift, she works with the anesthesia staff to be sure you receive the "postoperative nausea prevention protocol." This combination of medicines, given before, during, and after surgery, will help ensure that your experience is as pleasant as possible.
Dr. Kavali will discuss all of these options with you more thoroughly at the time of your consultation, and please ask her about anything you do not understand.
How the Surgery is Performed
Lower body lift surgery usually takes five to seven hours to perform. After you are asleep (under anesthesia), Dr. Kavali will make the incisions necessary for removal of excess skin and fat. This incision resembles a tummy tuck incision across the lower abdomen but also extends all the way around the waist and actually meets in the middle of the back over the lower spine/upper pelvic region.
After the incision has been made, Dr. Kavali gently elevates the skin and fat off of the underlying muscles of the abdominal wall. If needed, these muscles are tightened using sutures. Some patients have hernias in the abdominal wall, and these may also be repaired during a lower body lift.
After the muscles have been tightened, Dr. Kavali removes excess skin and fat and redrapes the skin over the underlying muscles. Four drains are typically placed beneath the incision. These slender, soft rubber tubes assist in draining any fluid that may accumulate beneath the incision and delay your healing.
Dr. Kavali uses an On-Q pain pump to deliver numbing medicine for postoperative pain relief. The medicine is delivered automatically--you don't need to do anything. Dr. Kavali has found that her patients using the On-Q pain pump need fewer narcotics and have a generally quicker recovery than those who don't. You can find more information about this device at www.askyoursurgeon.com.
The incisions are carefully closed to minimize your scar. All of the sutures are placed beneath the skin and are absorbed by your body.
A sterile dressing is applied to the incisions, and an abdominal binder is placed around your waist. This binder helps support your incision during healing, decreases postoperative swelling, and helps decrease any bruising that may occur.
After Your Procedure
Lower body lift surgery is performed in a hospital with an overnight stay required. During your stay, you will have a registered nurse with you at the facility. You will also receive pain medications, intravenous antibiotics and an anti-nausea medication for the duration of your stay.
After discharge from the hospital, the antibiotics that were prescribed during your preoperative visit (usually Keflex) should be taken as directed until gone. The pain medication prescribed by Dr. Kavali during your preoperative visit (usually Percocet) should be taken fairly regularly, every three hours or so (when you are not asleep, of course). You can alternate the percocet with Motrin (or its generic equivalent, ibuprofen). These details are outlined in our written postoperative instructions, which you will receive at the time of your preoperative visit.
You may shower two days after your surgery, even with your drains and On-Q pain pump in place. Just leave the tape in place that was put over your incisions.
You should plan to take it easy following your surgery. No strenuous activities, heavy lifting (over 20 pounds), aerobic exercises, swimming, contact sports, tennis, or golf should be planned for the first three weeks. As Dr. Kavali monitors your recovery, she will advise you when it is safe to resume specific activities.
You should plan to wear the abdominal binder for about six weeks following surgery. Dr. Kavali will remove the drainage tubes in her office when the drainage is appropriately low enough to allow drain removal, usually within 1-2 weeks after surgery.
The Results You Can Expect
You will notice an improvement in your abdominal, back, and thigh contour immediately. However, your shape will continue to improve in the following weeks as the swelling subsides. You should be up and walking the day following surgery, although you will be sore for several days. You should able to resume your normal daily activities within one to two weeks following surgery, and you should be able to resume all of your physical activities within four to six weeks of surgery.
Because of the complex nature of this surgery, touchups aren't uncommon after lower body lift (especially when combined with other procedures). Such revisions might include corrections of mild asymmetry or repair of unfavorable scarring.
Dr. Kavali will see you in her office one week after surgery, which is when your tapes will be removed, and possibly one or more of your drains. She will then see you a few weeks later, or more often as needed. You can expect regular appointments (once the initial healing is done) 3-4 months after surgery and again 9-12 months after surgery.
You’re not alone, and one of Dr. Kavali’s patients wanted to share her story: Click here. |
