A lower body lift (LBL) is a transformative procedure often sought by individuals who have experienced significant weight loss and are left with excess, sagging skin. Also known as a circumferential body lift or belt lipectomy, this surgery addresses loose tissue around the mid-to-lower trunk. Understanding the specific anatomical regions targeted by the standard LBL is important, especially regarding whether it includes the thighs.
The Primary Anatomical Focus of a Lower Body Lift
The lower body lift (LBL) is a comprehensive, 360-degree surgical procedure designed to correct skin laxity and tissue descent in the mid-to-lower torso. It is defined by a single, continuous incision that circles the body like a belt, typically placed low on the abdomen and across the lower back. This strategic incision allows the surgeon to lift and tighten the skin and underlying soft tissue in several key areas simultaneously.
The procedure primarily addresses the abdomen, flanks, hips, and buttocks. On the front, it functions as an advanced abdominoplasty, removing the apron of excess skin and fat (the panniculus) and tightening the abdominal wall. The incision wraps around the sides, or flanks, excising excess tissue and lifting the hips.
The incision continues across the back, serving as a buttock lift. By removing a wedge of skin and fat above the buttocks, the surgeon suspends the remaining tissue, creating a smoother, more elevated contour. This circumferential tightening effect provides improvement in overall trunk shape, addressing areas most affected by massive weight loss.
Addressing Thighs: Lateral Contouring versus Medial Correction
While the lower body lift is centered on the trunk, its circumferential nature directly influences the appearance of the upper legs. The LBL consistently provides significant improvement to the outer (lateral) thigh region. This benefit occurs because the skin of the lateral thigh is continuous with the skin of the hips and flanks being lifted during the belt-like excision.
The upward and lateral tension created by removing the tissue wedge around the torso pulls the outer thigh skin taut, effectively incorporating a lateral thigh lift component. This tightening smooths the contour of the upper side of the leg, addressing the “saddlebag” deformity. The degree of lateral thigh improvement depends on the patient’s anatomy and the amount of skin removed.
However, the standard LBL does not effectively address the inner (medial) thigh. The continuous incision does not extend down the inner leg, which is the anatomical area most affected by hanging skin. Therefore, the loose skin and tissue laxity on the inner thigh are not corrected by the lower body lift alone.
When a Dedicated Thigh Lift Is Necessary
If a patient has significant skin excess and laxity extending down the inner thigh, the lateral contouring of the LBL is insufficient. This specific inner thigh tissue requires a dedicated surgical procedure known as a medial thigh lift (thighplasty). The medial thigh lift employs an entirely different incision strategy to target the complex skin redundancy of this area.
The most common incision for a medial thigh lift is placed discreetly in the groin crease, sometimes extending vertically down the inner leg toward the knee for substantial skin excess. This incision allows the surgeon to directly excise loose skin and fat from the inner thigh and suspend the remaining tissue to the groin. This approach is anatomically separate from the circumferential lift of the LBL, which exerts tension primarily in an upward direction.
For patients seeking comprehensive lower body and leg contouring, the lower body lift and a medial thigh lift are often planned together. Depending on the patient’s health and the extent of the procedures, they may be performed during the same surgery or staged months apart. Combining both procedures ensures that the torso, hips, buttocks, and the entire circumference of the upper legs achieve a cohesive, tightened contour.