Lower Body Lift in Chico, CA

Losing weight is a major achievement that comes with many benefits, from improved energy levels to better long-term health. But lost pounds also means more loose skin that can be both an aesthetic concern and a source of physical discomfort. If your excess skin has primarily affected the lower half of your body, or if you have already had an upper body lift, we may recommend a lower body lift. At Northstate Plastic Surgery, we perform this surgery for patients in Chico, CA who have excess skin in the thighs, buttocks, lower back and abdomen.

What Is Body Lift Surgery? 

Dramatic weight loss, weight fluctuation or natural aging frequently results in sagging skin in areas below the waistline. Lower-body-lift surgery, also known as a belt lipectomy, tightens and sculpts the buttocks, back of the thighs, outer thighs, inner thighs, hips and abdomen. Loose skin that looks aesthetically displeasing or causes mobility restrictions is removed. A lower body lift is appropriate if you are near your ideal weight and may precede or follow an upper body lift procedure. Every year, thousands of people undergo successful lower-body-lift surgery and are pleased with the results.

When to consider a lower body lift:

• If you have had dramatic weight loss due to bariatric surgery or dieting.
• If you have relatively thin layers of fat below the skin in the hip, thigh, abdomen and buttock areas.
• If overhanging skin in your lower body restricts your mobility and/or causes painful chafing, rashes or infection.
• If you are distressed by sagging skin in your lower body

Areas Treated During a Lower Body Lift

Abdomen

When there is excess skin and fat on the abdomen, or when the muscles have separated, allowing the stomach to bulge outward, a lower body lift can contour the area. This aspect of the surgery can address concerns like skin irritation and hygiene challenges that can come with excess abdominal tissue that folds over the lower abdomen. During this surgery, we have access to the underlying structures. We suture the muscles together, reposition the belly button, remove excess fat with liposuction and excise excess skin.

Thighs

We can also treat loose or sagging skin on the inner or outer thighs that can still be present after weight loss. This excess skin can rub together and make you uncomfortable when you walk or wear certain clothing. The goal of this surgery is to remove any redundant skin and reshape the thigh area so its proportions are more in line with the rest of the lower body. We will place incisions where they make the most sense for you and provide the most benefits.

Buttocks

After losing weight, another common area that is affected is the buttocks, where sagging skin causes a loss of shape and masks any muscle you have built. During a belt lipectomy, we can lift the skin of the buttocks and tighten it for better contour and support.

Lower Back and Flank Contouring

Loose skin and excess tissue in the lower back and flank areas can cause folds of skin that extend around the waistline. When we contour this area, we can give you a smooth shape from your back to your hips and thighs. This surgery offers full lower body contouring in a way that smaller, more limited procedures cannot.

Lower Body Lift vs. Upper Body Lift

What an Upper Body Lift Includes

An upper body lift targets areas that often retain sagging skin after weight loss in the upper torso. This typically includes the upper back (bra line region), chest and arms. In women, breast reshaping, reduction or augmentation may also be involved, often in combination with a breast lift. In men, chest contouring may be done to address skin laxity or residual fullness in the chest area. Arm lifts (brachioplasty) are frequently part of the procedure to remove hanging skin that can form along the upper arms from the shoulder to the elbow.

Why These Procedures Are Performed in Stages

Body lifting surgery is comprehensive, addressing several regions of the body that have changed after major weight loss. To manage healing and operative time and to make the procedure safer, we typically perform upper and lower body lifts in separate stages. This reduces the physical demand on the body during recovery and helps lower the risk of complications that can come with longer surgical sessions. It also allows us to focus on one area at a time, which can improve both outcomes and patient comfort during healing.

Are You a Good Candidate for Lower Body Lift Surgery? 

Who May Be a Good Candidate

We consider lower body lift surgery for patients who are at a stable and healthy weight. Good candidates are also those who:

• Have no plans for further major weight changes, including weight loss or pregnancy
• Are generally in good health and cleared for elective surgery
• Do not smoke or are willing to stop smoking for several weeks before and after surgery
• Have the right expectations about surgical outcomes and recovery
• Have adequate nutritional status to support healing

Who May Not Be a Candidate

Some patients may not be eligible for a lower body lift based on medical or surgical considerations. Contraindications may include:

• Uncontrolled medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease or bleeding disorders
• A body mass index (BMI) that is too high to safely undergo a lengthy surgery
• Active infections, skin conditions or delayed wound healing issues
• Ongoing tobacco or nicotine use that cannot be paused during the recovery period

We look at all of these factors during your consultation to determine whether this or another option is best for you.

Preparing for Body Lift Surgery

• Arrange Transportation: You’ll need a responsible adult to drive you home after surgery and stay with you for at least the first 24–48 hours. This is important for safety and support when you are first recovering.
• Plan Time Off Work and Activities: Most patients with a sedentary job need at least two to three weeks off from work. Those with active jobs will need longer. Be sure to request time off and clear your schedule in advance.
• Set Up a Resting Area at Home: Prepare a comfortable space with plenty of pillows, blankets and a recliner or bed that allows you to rest with as little pressure on your incision sites as possible. Organize all of your most frequently used items so they are within reach.
• Stock Up on Supplies: Before your surgery date, purchase loose clothing, extra gauze, compression garments and easy-to-prepare meals that you can cook and freeze ahead of time.
• Fill Prescriptions Early: Get all prescribed medications, including pain relievers and antibiotics, before your surgery day so you can avoid last-minute pharmacy trips.
• Avoid Smoking and Alcohol: Stop smoking and avoid nicotine for several weeks before and after your surgery. You should also limit alcohol to prepare for your surgery.

During Body Lift Surgery

Anesthesia

We perform body lift surgery under general anesthesia, which means you will be fully asleep throughout the procedure. This type of anesthesia allows us to complete the multi-area contouring work safely while keeping you comfortable and pain-free during surgery. A board-certified anesthesiologist will monitor you throughout the entire surgery.

Incision Placement and Techniques

We place incisions on areas that follow natural contours and are generally able to be hidden beneath underwear or bathing suits. The surgery is called a belt lipectomy because of the appearance of the incisions, which wrap around the body like a belt in a circumferential pattern. The incision runs in a continuous line around the body from just above the buttocks in the back to low across the abdomen in the front. The placement and length of the incision may be adjusted depending on where your excess skin is located and how much needs to be removed.

Tissue Removal and Contouring

After making the incisions, we remove excess skin and underlying fatty tissue in each area. We also tighten underlying tissue layers and muscles in certain areas to improve support and contour. Sometimes we also remove excess fat pockets using liposuction. Then we suture the incisions carefully to avoid tension on the skin’s surface that could increase scarring.

Drain Placement

Surgical drains are typically placed under the skin at the end of the surgery to collect excess fluid that builds up as the body heals. These small tubes help reduce the risk of fluid accumulation (seroma). Drains are usually removed in the first several weeks, depending on your healing progress and output levels.

Surgery Duration

A full lower body lift usually takes four to six hours to complete, depending on the extent of tissue removal and whether additional procedures are being performed at the same time. Because this is a major operation involving multiple areas, the surgery is carefully planned to maximize results while maintaining patient safety.

Immediate Post-Operative Monitoring

After your surgery, you will wake up in a recovery room where we will monitor your vital signs and address any post-anesthesia symptoms. Once we are confident that you are recovering well, we will clear you to go home with your caregiver. 

Recovery After a Lower Body Lift

Early Recovery (1–2 Weeks)

During the first one to two weeks after surgery, your movements should all be careful and limited, and rest should be your priority. It is normal to experience swelling and bruising, and you may also notice a feeling of tightness around the incision site. We will send you home with compression garments, which you will need to wear continuously to reduce swelling and help your body settle into its new shape.

We will show you how to care for your drains in the first two weeks and how to measure any accumulated fluid. You can take short, slow walks around the house, even as soon as the first day, to help keep your circulation healthy. Avoid standing fully upright, walking with a slight bend, and have someone nearby to help.

Continued Healing (3–6 Weeks)

After the first healing stage, your swelling and bruising will start to improve, and you will have your drains removed. You may begin to feel more mobile again, but you still need to avoid lifting anything heavy, stretching or twisting. If you have healed enough and have energy again, you can return to desk work after three or four weeks. It is important to continue wearing your compression garment and come to all of your follow-up appointments.

Long-Term Healing

It may take several months, even up to a year, for all of your swelling to go down. Scars will also continue to fade in the months after your treatment and change from a brighter color to a tone that is closer to your skin color. You will feel a steady increase in your mobility and energy, and your physical comfort will continue to improve.

What to Expect From Scarring After Body Lift

Scars from lower body lift surgery will always be present, but they will be less noticeable with the right care. Early on, scars may look red and raised and can feel firm as the body works to heal the long incision. Over the next 6 to 12 months, the scars begin to fade in color and flatten out, though the timeline varies by skin type and individual healing response. You can support this process with scar care, like keeping the area moisturized and protected from the sun, and follow all of the topical scar treatment guidelines that we give you.

Frequently Asked Questions About Lower Body Lift Surgery

How long does a lower body lift last?

The results of a lower body lift are long-lasting if your weight remains stable. Your skin will naturally continue to age, and your body will still be susceptible to changes in shape, but the removal of excess skin and reshaping of tissue provide structural changes that do not reverse unless there are major weight changes or lifestyle shifts. Follow all of your post-op instructions, protect your skin from the sun and prioritize a healthy lifestyle to preserve your results.

When can I return to exercise?

Walking is encouraged early, but workouts or high-impact activities must wait. Most people can return to light exercise between 6 and 8 weeks, but lifting weights or doing anything that strains the core or lower body may need to wait for several more. We will evaluate our healing process and then let you know when you can start certain activities, but always listen to your body.

How much does a lower body lift cost?

Pricing varies based on surgical complexity, anesthesia, facility fees and whether other procedures are done at the same time. During your consultation, we will give you an estimate that includes all of these expected fees.

Will insurance cover my lower body lift surgery?

Lower body lift surgery is usually considered cosmetic and not covered by insurance. However, if you have a history of skin infections or medical issues caused by excess skin, some insurance plans will cover a portion. You should contact your insurance provider for details about eligibility and documentation requirements.

Why Choose Our Practice for Lower Body Lift Surgery

Dr. Kevin D. Myers is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon with training from Columbia University and Montefiore Medical Center, as well as a fellowship in microsurgery from the Buncke Clinic in San Francisco. His surgical background includes complex reconstructive work and cosmetic procedures.

Each consultation is detailed and focused on you. Dr. Myers has a clear communication style, and he loves spending time educating patients about their surgeries and what they can expect from the process.

Schedule a Consultation for Lower Body Lift Surgery in Chico, CA

A lower body lift can help remove excess skin to improve your physical comfort and appearance in areas like the abdomen, hips, thighs and buttocks. To learn more about body contouring options or schedule a consultation with Northstate Plastic Surgery, reach out through the online form or call 530-345-5900.

For more information, visit The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and The American Society of Plastic Surgeons.