I am going in for a Lower Body Lift on the 25th of this month. I would greatly appreciate any tips or advice on how to prepare my home and mind for recovery. I've been hitting the gym and running like a madwoman because I'm determined to heal quickly and I want to be as fit as possible. I've had 3 abdominal surgeries before (2 C-sections and VSG) but I've never had anything done around my back before. My doctor does not believe in compression garments, but I will have 4 drains. He also does not want me in a shower for 3-4 weeks - sponge bath only. I'd love to hear about recovery tools, sleeping tips, healing aids, food/diet post and pre surgery tips, wound care (especially tips on how to avoid seam separation), hospital prep, etc. Lay it on me.

For those who aren't familiar with Lower Body Lift - it is essentially a Tummy Tuck, a Butt Lift and a Thigh Lift all rolled into one. It's gonna hurt, but it should yield great results.

My first tip: Do NOT watch videos of this surgery on YouTube.

My second tip: While watching videos of this surgery on YouTube, I found one by a doctor in California who was giving a presentation to other docs on this. He said that almost all of his bariatric patients are deficient in certain vitamins/minerals that are essential to healing, and most docs don't think to check for this. I had never heard of the things people were deficient in, so I don't think you'd find them in normal Vitamins. He puts them on a product called Pro Care prior to the surgery to boost their nutritional readiness. I found it online, and there are several products, including one for surgery prep. When I have my knees replaced this summer I plan to go on this for a few weeks prior.

Please let us know how your surgery goes!

I guess I'm just a little shocked that you need all that when you've only lost 56 pounds. I see most people lose over a 100 before needing that. That makes me nervous about losing 107 pounds because I've been pretty sure up until now that I might not need any plastic surgery. Hope it all works out for you. Good luck.

I guess I'm just a little shocked that you need all that when you've only lost 56 pounds.

My highest weight was 240 lbs after the birth of my daughter. I got down to 213 before I had VSG. Obviously, reconstructive surgery is a personal decision based on many factors, so you may not feel you need it when you hit your goal weight. I'm a very muscular 165 right now - and all that extra skin on my upper and lower abs, my hips - basically my "spare tire" is just hanging off my muscle. I literally have to fold it into my workout clothes or pants. I also avoid form fitting clothes because it shows all of the flaps. With my insurance covering part of the procedure, I decided to go get all of my loose skin taken care of in one full swoop. Although I am very nervous about the procedure and the recovery, the idea of not having my own butt spank me when I run or have my stomach skin fall out of my leggings when I do a jumping jacks sounds like heaven!

But to be honest, it seems a bit harsh to say "only lost 56 lbs". Pounds are pounds and everyone has their own journey to walk. Morbidly obese is morbidly obese and to suggest that I didn't work as hard or had an easier journey than someone else is unfair. I've literally worked my ass off. Weight is not the best gauge of fitness. If it helps to clarify, I went from a size 24 to a size 10 - that's a lot of fat gone and muscle gained.

Just stick to your guns and follow your plan and you'll be at goal soon! Then you'll have some tough decisions to make - but just follow your heart and do what's best for you.

My first tip: Do NOT watch videos of this surgery on YouTube.

Too late! They are awful! My surgeon specializes in reconstructive surgery after significant weight loss, so he's very familiar with the possible nutrient deficiencies. He actually did a presentation at my hospital before I had my VSG. Insurance is payed 100% of my VSG and is coving 25% of my Lower Body Lift (they cover 100% of the paniculectomy)

You are right about Vitamin deficiencies. In fact, I'm inefficient right now on my D and B12, so I'm amping those up. Thanks for the link to the other supplements.

I have pretty much been on different sites everyday for the past month. The doctor with most of the videos is dr. Agah. He is super expensive. A lot of people who have never even had weight loss surgery have a lower body lift. The lower body lift does not address the inner thighs which is my main concern. Realself.com addresses all the procedures and is sort of like this site. You can ask questions and doctors will respond. I am going to try my best to work out until this winter before I make the decision, but I am leaning towards a medial thigh lift first and then maybe a lower body lift in the future. It does look scary. I just watched the show the real skinny. I think we can make it through anything. Keep us updated on your surgery!

just a quick question....are there health insurance plans that cover body lifts....and also if not how much do they usually run.....I have alot to lose, and hoping I will not need too much work, but I would like to start sacing my pennies early....

thanks!

I heard that it was difficult after a LBL to get in and out of bed and a number of people have rented recliners to sleep in the first few weeks if they didn't own one already.

Best wishes for a swift recovery; I'm thinking a butt lift is in my future but haven't really made a firm decision.

Best wishes for a safe surgery and speedy recovery

I'm thinking a butt lift is in my future but haven't really made a firm decision.

Tee hee....

I'm truely sorry that I offended you. I never meant to imply that you haven't worked hard. We are all different and each body does not look the same after weight loss. Again I apologize.

I am going in for a Lower Body Lift on the 25th of this month. I would greatly appreciate any tips or advice on how to prepare my home and mind for recovery. I've been hitting the gym and running like a madwoman because I'm determined to heal quickly and I want to be as fit as possible. I've had 3 abdominal surgeries before (2 C-sections and VSG) but I've never had anything done around my back before. My doctor does not believe in compression garments' date=' but I will have 4 drains. He also does not want me in a shower for 3-4 weeks - sponge bath only. I'd love to hear about recovery tools, sleeping tips, healing aids, food/diet post and pre surgery tips, wound care (especially tips on how to avoid seam separation), hospital prep, etc. Lay it on me.

For those who aren't familiar with Lower Body Lift - it is essentially a Tummy Tuck, a Butt Lift and a Thigh Lift all rolled into one. It's gonna hurt, but it should yield great results.[/quote']

I think I will need the same. Would you mind sharing the price?

How did you get your insurance to cover this? I was told they never pay for plastic surgery since it is cosmetic.

Good luck with your surgery, One of those recliners that helps you stand up would be great for not having to strain to get up and down.

How are you??

I hope all works well for you. I see my doctor for my 1 year visit in July and she's supposed to give me a referral for plastic surgeon. I'm trying to figure out how much is good to have at ome time. I've lost 72 pounds so far.

I hope all works well for you. I see my doctor for my 1 year visit in July and she's supposed to give me a referral for plastic surgeon. I'm trying to figure out how much is good to have at ome time. I've lost 72 pounds so far.