Lower Body Lift

Lower Body Lift in Nashville, TN, with
Dr. Michael Cash

Despite an active lifestyle and healthy diet, it is not uncommon for people to experience sagging in the buttock, thighs, abdomen, and throughout the lower body region. Often, the natural aging process, weight loss, and genetics can cause skin to lose elasticity and lead to sagging skin. Dr. Michael Cash can drastically enhance the contour of the lower body that does not respond to diet and exercise with a lower body lift in Nashville, TN.

  • Remove loose, sagging skin throughout the thighs, buttock, and abdominal regions
  • Eliminate stubborn fat pockets throughout the lower body region
  • Tighten the abdominal muscle wall for a firmer and rejuvenated appearance
  • Improve the overall contour of the lower body

Dr. Cash's Approach to Lower Body Lift Surgery

Dr. Michael Cash is an expert in a variety of body contouring procedures that eliminate sagging, excess skin. Typically, a lower body lift includes an abdominoplasty, also known as a tummy tuck, as well as a thigh and buttock lift. Excess skin and fat are eliminated from the abdomen, thighs, and buttocks areas to restore a tighter, firmer, and more youthful appearance to the lower body. Generally, two or more body contouring procedures are performed in conjunction with each other to achieve optimal results. Dr. Cash can also simultaneously perform liposuction that can help patients achieve the figure they always imagined.

Surgical body lift procedures require incisions in the targeted areas. However, Dr. Cash strategically places the incisions in discrete locations that are easily concealed by clothing or the body’s natural shape. Excess skin, fat, and tissue are removed from the targeted areas to restore a flatter, tighter figure. Next, liposuction will be performed, if the patient has elected it, to eliminate any stubborn fat deposits. Dr. Cash will repair any underlying muscle wall laxity by utilizing internal sutures. The remaining skin is then pulled taut and realigned as needed before closing the incisions with dissolving sutures and applying the final dressings.

What To Expect During Lower Body Lift Surgery?

Your procedure will be performed under general anesthesia at a certified surgical facility. On the day of your procedure, Dr. Cash and his highly trained team will meet with you to review all details and answer any questions before surgery. The duration of the lower body lift surgery is typically four to five hours. However, the time but can vary based on the complexity of each situation and which procedures have been elected to be included in the lower body lift. You will receive exceptional and comprehensive care following your procedure to ensure your comfort.

Superior Results

Dr. Michael Cash is a highly specialized, board-certified plastic surgeon with advanced training in breast and aesthetic surgery. His extensive experience and expertise in the aesthetics industry allow him to deliver superior results that help patients achieve their aesthetic goals.

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Meet Dr. Michael Cash

At Nashville Plastic Surgery, our mission is to treat you with the utmost respect, help you make an educated decision, and provide you with the finest medical services in a safe and professional environment.

Dr. Cash, our board-certified plastic surgeon, specializes in breast augmentation, tummy tuck, liposuction, and more. Schedule a consultation today to learn more!

Lower Body Lift Surgery Recovery

It is common for patients to experience swelling, bruising, tenderness, discomfort, or pain in the treated areas. Ice packs and oral pain medication will help relieve these symptoms during the initial recovery period, and any discomfort will taper during the healing process. Individuals undergoing the procedure should plan to take about two weeks off from work or their daily routine.

During this time, it is crucial to avoid any strenuous activity and to get plenty of rest. Dr. Cash will provide complete preoperative and postoperative care instructions. He will monitor and advise when patients can gradually resume their daily activities, including exercise. Out-of-town patients may typically fly on an airplane within seven to 10 days of the procedure.

Transformative Results Today!

Lower Body Lift in Nashville, TN FAQs

During the lower body lift procedure, attention is focused on the buttocks first. An incision is made across the upper buttocks, and tissue dissection is carried to the lower portion of the buttock. The buttocks are pulled up, and excess buttock skin and fat are removed. The incision is closed. Then, you are carefully flipped over on the operating room table. Attention is then focused on your abdomen. An incision is made across your lower abdomen, and tissue dissection is carried to the bottom of the ribcage and sternum. The rectus abdominis muscle is tightened and brought together (or plicated). The pubic region is lifted and reduced. The hips are lifted and reduced. Then, the abdomen is pulled down, and excess lower abdominal skin and fat are removed.

A lower body lift is a safe procedure when rules are followed. The limits of a lower body lift should be discussed with your chosen plastic surgeon. If you have other medical conditions, these conditions may prohibit you from having a lower body lift. In the appropriate patient, a lower body lift is a relatively safe procedure in qualified and experienced hands compared to other forms of surgery. However, safety lies in optimal patient choice, your plastic surgeon’s experience, your plastic surgeon’s team, including anesthesiologists and nurses, strict adherence to eating or drinking a high-protein diet to help with healing, and following all post-operative instructions.

One benefit of a lower body lift is that you can permanently remove skin and fat from your lower abdomen, hips, and buttocks. Also, the lower body lift can be performed in one surgical setting instead of requiring three separate surgeries, specifically a tummy tuck, a hip lift, and a buttock lift or reduction. Another benefit of the lower body lift is that removing excess skin and fat may make exercising easier. Also, a lower body lift can help permanently eliminate stubborn rashes in the upper pubic and lower abdomen areas.

The lower body lift is that it may increase your self-esteem, which can, in turn, improve your relationships, including improved intimate relations. As with all surgeries, individual results will vary.

Good candidates for a lower body lift should be healthy, non-smokers, and without other medical problems. Ideally, you should be at your goal weight. However, you can have a lower body lift if you have specific medical issues or are not at your goal weight. If you are not at your goal but have lost weight, consult your chosen plastic surgeon. Ideal lower-body lift patients should have realistic expectations regarding what this surgery can achieve.

Yes, a lower-body lift does leave a scar. The lower body lift scar extends entirely around your body. Unfortunately, a lower-body lift cannot be performed without leaving a residual scar. However, most patients feel it is worthwhile to trade excess tummy, love handles, and buttock skin and fat for a scar.

A lower body lift is a permanent skin and fat removal solution. During the lower body lift, skin and fat are permanently removed. However, following a lower body lift, fluid or edema may make you weigh more. Therefore, after a lower body lift, you must wear your compression garment to minimize fluid buildup and swelling.

Also, a lower body lift is an extensive procedure. There is potential to regain weight. Therefore, once you have healed from your lower body lift and your plastic surgeon has cleared you, you should combine an appropriate diet with exercise to maintain your permanent body lift results as is the case with most plastic surgery procedures.

Yes, the results of a lower-body lift are immediate. The results are evident on the operating room table right after surgery and before you awake from anesthesia.

However, a natural response to any surgery is swelling or edema. Even during surgery, your body starts to swell. After a lower-body lift, swelling may take six weeks or more to disappear. Therefore, even if the results are immediate, they may take six weeks to become apparent.

After a lower body lift, you should take two to three weeks off from a sitting job.

If you have a job that requires significant physical activity, you should take off three to four weeks after a lower body lift.

Yes, a lower body lift can help with weight loss; however, it should not be considered a primary method of weight loss. Usually, a lower body lift is performed after weight loss, not before weight loss. Instead, a lower body lift can help to remove redundant skin and resistant fat pockets to help improve the contours of the body. A lower body lift removes skin and fat which sometimes allows you to exercise better. Sometimes, a lower body lift can motivate you by showing off the results you worked so hard to achieve through diet, exercise, and, often, gastric surgery.

During your lower body lift consultation, your Nashville plastic surgeon will examine you and determine if you are a good candidate for the surgery. Your plastic surgeon’s decision will be based on your medical history, surgical history, medications, and allergies.

The decision to proceed with surgery will be based on a thorough physical examination, including your weight loss history.

During the consultation, your plastic surgeon will examine your areas of concern to determine if these areas would be best treated with a lower body lift. You and your plastic surgeon may discuss the risks and complications associated with a lower body lift. Often, pictures are taken, especially if insurance is being considered. Whenever submissions are made to medical insurance companies, medical pictures are required. If you are a good candidate for lower body lift surgery, your surgeon will discuss the associated costs, then you can schedule a day for your lower body lift surgery. After a day has been scheduled, appropriate medical tests will be ordered.

The ideal body mass index (BMI) for lower body lift is less than 30. Your BMI should be less than 30 for many elective plastic surgery procedures. However, if your BMI exceeds 30, you and your plastic surgeon should discuss the increased risks of surgery. Even though your BMI may be above 30, this increased number may not prohibit you from undergoing a lower body lift.

However, you and your plastic surgeon must realize that if your BMI is above 30, you are at increased risk of complications.

Approximately two weeks before a lower body lift, you should eat a high-protein diet; Dr. Cash recommends you consume 100 g of protein daily. There are certain herbs, fruits, supplements, and vitamins that you should avoid before your 360-degree circumferential lower body lift surgery. Some medications need to be stopped at least one month before surgery.

Your chosen plastic surgeon should provide a list of medications, herbs, fruits, supplements, and vitamins to avoid before your surgery.

  1. Patient’s Health and Lifestyle: The overall health and lifestyle of the patient play a significant role in the outcome of the surgery. Patients who maintain a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and avoid smoking or excessive alcohol consumption are generally better candidates for successful surgery and optimal results.
  2. Weight Stability: Patients need to achieve a stable weight before and after undergoing a lower body lift. Significant weight fluctuations before or after the surgery can impact the outcome. Maintaining a stable weight helps ensure that the surgery results are not compromised.
  3. Skin Elasticity: Skin elasticity varies among individuals and can affect how the skin responds to the surgical procedure. Patients with good skin elasticity are likelier to achieve smoother and more natural-looking results.
  4. Amount of Excess Skin and Fat: The extent of excess skin and fat that needs to be removed can vary from patient to patient. Patients with more excess tissue may require more extensive surgical techniques and experience more dramatic improvements.
  5. Surgical Technique: The plastic surgeon’s surgical technique can impact the outcome. Different approaches may be chosen based on the patient’s needs and goals.
  6. Plastic surgeon’s skill and experience: The skill and experience of the plastic surgeon performing the procedure are crucial factors in achieving a successful outcome. Choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon with expertise in body contouring procedures can significantly impact the quality of the results.
  7. Incision Placement and Closure: The placement of incisions and the surgical closure technique can affect the appearance of scars and the overall aesthetic outcome. Plastic surgeons aim to minimize visible scarring and create natural-looking contours.
  8. Post-Operative Care: Following the plastic surgeon’s post-operative care instructions is essential for a successful outcome. This includes proper wound care, wearing compression garments as directed, and attending follow-up appointments for monitoring and adjustments.
  9. Realistic Expectations: Patients with realistic expectations about the surgery results are more likely to be satisfied with the outcome. Understanding that a 360-degree circumferential lower body lift can provide significant improvements but may not achieve perfection is essential.
  10. Complications and Compromise: Occasionally, complications such as wound healing issues, infections, or asymmetry may arise. How these complications are managed and addressed can affect the outcome.

In most cases, health insurance does not typically cover the cost of a lower body lift because it is considered a cosmetic or elective procedure. Cosmetic surgeries are generally performed to improve a person’s appearance rather than to address medical conditions or health concerns, which is the primary criterion for insurance coverage.

However, there may be some exceptions or situations where insurance coverage or partial coverage could be considered:

  1. Medical Necessity: In rare cases, insurance companies may consider coverage if the excess skin and tissue in the lower body pose a significant medical concern or health risk. For example, suppose you have recurrent skin infections, chronic rashes, or mobility issues due to excess skin. In that case, you can make a case for medical necessity. Your surgeon and insurance provider would need to document and support this claim.
  2. Combining Procedures: If you are undergoing a lower body lift in conjunction with another medically necessary procedure, such as a hernia repair or abdominal surgery, there may be some overlap in costs that insurance could cover. However, the cosmetic portion of the surgery would typically not be covered.
  3. Prior Authorization: In some cases, you may need to seek prior authorization from your insurance provider, and your plastic surgeon may need to provide documentation supporting the procedure’s medical necessity. Even with prior authorization, there is no guarantee that insurance will cover the entire cost.

It’s important to note that insurance policies and coverage vary widely, and what is covered or reimbursed by one provider may not be the same for another. Before pursuing a lower body lift or any cosmetic surgery, it’s advisable to contact your insurance company, review your policy, and discuss the procedure with your plastic surgeon to determine the potential for coverage and to understand your financial responsibilities.

Usually, plastic surgeons allow their patients to shower once their drains are removed and the incision is healed. Typically, drains remain in place for two to three weeks. Therefore, most patients can shower two to three weeks after their body lift.

However, most plastic surgeons allow their patients to sponge bathe well before removing drains. Most patients can sponge bathe five to seven days after the body lift. Water can go around the incision but not on the incision.

Yes. Because excess skin and fat are removed during a lower body lift, you will lose weight after a lower body lift. However, it is crucial to understand that the primary goal of a lower body lift is not weight loss. The primary focus is on reshaping the body rather than achieving significant weight loss. The weight loss can vary but is generally a fraction of the total tissue removed.

After undergoing a lower body lift in Nashville, TN, you may experience significant changes in your body shape and size, which can necessitate adjustments to your clothing sizes. Here are some tips to help you manage your wardrobe post-surgery:

  1. Gradual Wardrobe Updates: Understand that your body may take time to settle into its new shape after surgery. Avoid making drastic wardrobe changes immediately. Instead, gradually transition by purchasing key pieces that fit your body shape.
  2. Consult with a Tailor: A skilled tailor can be your best friend during this transition period. They can help alter your clothing to fit your new body shape better. This approach can be a cost-effective way to make your wardrobe work for you.
  3. Invest in Basics: Start by updating your wardrobe with essential items like underwear, bras, and basic tops and bottoms that fit comfortably. These items can make a big difference in your day-to-day comfort and confidence.
  4. Stretchy Fabrics: Consider clothing made from stretchy fabrics like spandex or elastane, as they can quickly accommodate changes in your body shape. Leggings, yoga pants, and stretchy jeans can be good choices.
  5. Layering: Layering can help you adjust your clothing to your comfort level. Cardigans, jackets, and wraps can conceal or highlight specific areas of your body.
  6. Elastic Waistbands: Look for pants, skirts, and shorts with elastic waistbands. They provide flexibility in terms of sizing and can be more comfortable as your body continues to heal and change.
  7. Avoid Tight Clothing: While it’s natural to want to show off your new figure, avoid wearing tight clothing immediately after surgery. It can put unnecessary pressure on the healing incisions and may be uncomfortable.
  8. Be patient: Remember that it takes time for your body to heal and stabilize fully after surgery. Your clothing needs may continue to change over the months following the procedure. Be patient with yourself and adapt your wardrobe as needed.

A lower body lift, liposuction, and tummy tuck are three distinct plastic surgery procedures that address different concerns and produce different results. Here are the key differences between these procedures.

  • Lower body lift is a body contouring procedure to eliminate excess, sagging skin to improve the appearance of the lower body, including the buttocks, abdomen, and thighs. It combines two or more body contouring procedures to achieve optimal results.
  • Liposuction is a minimally invasive surgical procedure to remove pockets of excess fat and reshape the body. It’s ideal for those who are near their ideal weight but have localized areas of stubborn fat. It can be combined with other procedures like lower body lift and tummy tuck to produce optimal contours.
  • Tummy Tuck, or abdominoplasty, is surgery to smooth, flatten, and firm your abdomen after pregnancy, weight fluctuations, or aging. It addresses loose abdominal skin and excess fat, and repairs separated abdominal muscles. Typically, a tummy tuck is included with a lower body lift.

After a lower body lift, it’s essential to adopt sleeping positions that promote comfort, minimize strain on the surgical areas, and support proper healing. Here are some tips on the best sleeping positions to consider.

  • Back Sleeping: Sleeping on your back is the preferred position during the initial stages of recovery. It helps minimize pressure on the surgical incisions and reduces the risk of damaging or distorting the results. Use pillows to support your head and upper body and place a pillow under your knees to maintain a slight bend in your hips and knees. This position can help reduce tension on the incisions and provide comfort. Usually, the best position can be found in a recliner.
  • Avoid Side Sleeping: Sleeping on your sides, especially with surgical incisions on the abdomen or buttocks, can put undue pressure on these areas and may compromise the healing process. It’s typically best to avoid side sleeping during the early recovery period.
  • Pillow Placement: Use pillows strategically to support your body and maintain a comfortable position. Pillow placement can vary depending on your specific surgical areas. For example, you can place a pillow under your knees when sleeping on your back to relieve pressure on the lower back and buttocks.
  • Elevate Your Head: Elevating the head of your bed or using extra pillows under your upper body can help reduce swelling and promote better circulation. Elevation can be particularly beneficial if you have undergone abdominal surgery as part of the lower body lift.
  • Avoid Lying Flat, Sitting Upright, and Bending or Twisting: When getting in and out of bed, avoid bending or twisting at the waist as this can strain the surgical incisions. Use your arms to support yourself and engage your core muscles to minimize stress on the surgical areas.

Travel after a lower body lift should be approached with caution and careful planning. Prioritizing healing and recovery during the early postoperative period is essential to ensuring the best possible outcomes. Here are some considerations for traveling after a lower body lift.

  • Immediate Post-Operative Period (First Few Weeks): Traveling immediately after a lower body lift is generally not advisable. During the first few weeks after surgery, you should focus on rest, wound care, and following your surgeon’s post-operative instructions. Traveling during this time can increase the risk of complications, hinder the healing process, and be uncomfortable due to swelling and limited mobility.
  • Consult with Your Nashville Plastic Surgeon: Consult with your plastic surgeon before making travel plans. They can assess your progress, guide you as to when it may be safe to travel and ensure you are healing adequately. Your plastic surgeon’s recommendations should be the primary factor in determining when it is appropriate to travel.

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2201 Murphy Avenue, Suite 301,
Nashville, TN 37203

At Nashville Plastic Surgery, we have a deep understanding of the important role that physical image plays in life, yet we never lose sight of emotional well being. Our approach to plastic and reconstructive surgery integrates these fundamental principles to promote overall health.

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