The Operation

The lower body lift is more extensive than either a standard tummy tuck (anterior abdominoplasty) or the extended tummy tuck (circumferential abdominoplasty or belt lipectomy) as in addition to removing excess fat and skin from the circumference of the lower torso it also elevates the thigh tissues; it is best suited to patients who are near to their goal weight and who have descent of the skin and soft tissues of their abdomen, waist, thighs and buttocks.

The best candidates are people who have reached a steady state in terms of their weight and size, and are no longer gaining or losing weight/size. Although the operation can be performed on people who still have some weight to lose, the best results are always seen in people who are already at their best sustainable weight. That is, the weight at which their body gravitates towards when they are performing realistically sustainable (long-term) amounts of exercise and are not actively pursuing a weight-loss diet.

Although it is possible to have a successful pregnancy following a lower body lift, this is not advised, as much of the post-operative improvement is likely to be lost when the abdomen is enlarged with pregnancy. People who are not in generally good health should not contemplate this procedure.

Anaesthetic Used

This surgery is performed under a general anaesthetic (you are asleep). As a routine part of the procedure, Dr Masters infiltrates a large amount of local anaesthetic both through the tissues and also around the margins of the surgical site. This local anaesthetic means that most of the stimulation due to the procedure is numbed out when you awaken. It also means the anaesthetist can help you have a far smoother transition from anaesthetic to recovery. Furthermore, post-operative pain is vastly diminished with the extensive use of local anaesthetic.

Where is the Surgery Performed?

This is a significant surgical procedure, as such Dr Masters performs them in a fully equipped and appropriately expertly-staffed operating room at Southern Cross Hospital in Newtown, Wellington.