Thigh / Buttock / Lower Body Lift

Thigh, buttock and lower body lifts repair the effects of sagging skin and excess fat in the lower body to achieve a firmer and more shapely appearance.

You may be considering this procedure for various reasons. Significant weight loss can result in slack or sagging skin around the thighs or buttocks. The natural ageing process, when skin becomes less elastic, can also contribute to the problem.

Whatever your reason, a lower body lift can help to reduce loose skin and reshape the thighs and buttocks for a smoother, firmer appearance. This can help you look and feel more attractive in certain clothes and can boost your confidence. However, it is important that you are realistic about what you expect from this surgery and understand that results can vary significantly from patient to patient for a number of reasons.

Your procedure

Thigh, buttock and lower body lifts involve the removal of excess skin. Remaining skin is lifted and tightened into its new position.

The surgery is performed under general anaesthetic and normally takes 1 to 6 hours. Your total stay in hospital should be two to six nights.

After your operation

• You may have one or two drains from your wounds to help remove any excess fluid and encourage healing. These are generally removed before you are discharged.
• Some pain or discomfort at your wound and/or drain site can be expected. This will eventually settle and can be managed with oral pain medication.
• The garment for which you were measured up at your initial consultation will be put on you in theatre once your operation is complete. This must be worn continuously for six weeks.
• You are encouraged to walk about – as upright as is possible and comfortable.
• To help with the prevention of blood clots forming in your legs, you will have been measured for TED stockings and compression sleeves (SCDs) prior to your operation. These are worn to the operating theatre and post-operatively. You are able to stop wearing the SCDs once you are comfortably mobile. The TED stockings are to be worn until you are discharged from hospital.
• You will be visited each day by a physiotherapist while you are in hospital, who will give you a series of breathing and leg exercises to perform.

At home

• You may notice slight redness, swelling and bruising around the wound, this is normal.
• Any pain should be managed with oral pain medication.
• A small amount of discharge from your wound is normal.
• You will have dressings over your wound site. These should be left on until the three week post-op review. These dressings are waterproof, so there is no need to cover them to have a shower. However, if the dressings lift before the post-op review, please contact one of the clinic nurses.
• You must continue to wear your garment for six weeks after surgery.
• Avoid heavy lifting, over exertion, strenuous exercise and any unnecessary strain on your wound for six weeks after surgery.
• Make sure you remain mobile at home, going for short walks, etc.
• Avoid driving for two weeks after surgery, and if necessary, only drive short distances until six weeks after surgery.
• Post-operative lethargy is often experienced and can last for a month or more after your operation.
• You should eat a nutritious diet high in vitamin C and drink plenty of water to help promote wound healing.
• A post-op review with the clinic nurse will generally be carried out three weeks after your surgery, at which time your dressings will be removed.

Problem signs

Surgery is not without its risks. You should be aware of any signs that something might be wrong. The symptoms below are potentially serious and would require you to contact the clinic, your GP or your closest emergency department:

• Signs of infection, such as a high temperature, heavy discharge from your wound site, an increase in redness around your wound site, or a dramatic increase in pain that is not relieved by oral pain medication.
• Increased swelling around your wound.
• Nausea or vomiting which does not settle.