Body Lift
The buttocks, hips and thighs are among the several areas of the body where aging-related changes and dramatic weight loss can cause concerns that exercise alone won’t resolve. A lower body lift by board-certified Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Dr. Glenn Vallecillos is designed to correct exactly these issues, creating a firmer, more proportionate silhouette through a highly patient-centered surgical approach.
Depending on your anatomy, goals and candidacy, Dr. Vallecillos may recommend a traditional butt lift, a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL), or butt implants. If you've been researching your options, you're far from alone. You deserve a surgeon who approaches this procedure with precision and a clear understanding of your goals.
What Is a Lower Body Lift?
A lower body lift is an umbrella term for several surgical procedures that address the shape, volume and skin laxity of the lower body. The buttock area is the primary focus of these procedures, with the option to extend treatment to the hips and thighs.
A lower body lift can be performed as a standalone operation or as part of a more comprehensive body lift that also targets the abdomen. What sets this surgery apart from less invasive treatments is its ability to address both excess skin and volume concerns simultaneously, producing powerful and lasting results.
Traditional Butt Lift
A traditional butt lift focuses on removing excess skin and repositioning the underlying tissues to create a firmer, lifted contour. Incisions are placed either around the hips or at the top of the buttocks, allowing for easily concealable scars. After the incisions are made, liposuction may be used to remove excess fatty deposits. Redundant skin is trimmed away, the deeper tissues are tightened, and the skin is then re-draped before incisions are closed.
Brazilian Butt Lift
The Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL), more accurately described as fat transfer to the buttocks, has become one of the most sought-after body contouring procedures in aesthetic surgery. The technique involves harvesting fat from donor sites on the body (most commonly the abdomen, flanks or inner thighs) via liposuction, purifying the extracted fat and strategically injecting it into the buttocks to add volume and improve shape.
Butt Implants
For patients without enough donor fat for a BBL or who desire a more dramatic increase in volume, butt implants are a reliable alternative. Solid silicone implants are inserted through incisions made at the top or sides of the buttocks. A pocket is created within the muscle, and the implants are positioned and integrated with surrounding structures before the incisions are closed.
Am I a Candidate for Lower Body Lift?
A lower body lift is best suited for patients who are dealing with one or more of the following concerns:
- Significant skin laxity or loose, sagging tissue in the buttocks, hips or outer thighs
- Volume loss in the gluteal region due to aging, weight loss or genetics
- Poor muscle tone or deflated-looking buttocks that don't respond to exercise
- Excess skin following major weight loss or bariatric surgery
Ideal candidates are in good overall health, at or near their goal weight and non-smokers (or willing to quit for the required period before and after surgery). Patients who are still actively losing weight are typically advised to wait until their weight has stabilized before scheduling a lower body lift, as significant weight fluctuations after surgery can compromise results.
During your consultation, Dr. Vallecillos will review your health history, perform a physical assessment and give you an honest, detailed picture of what the procedure can and cannot do for your specific case.
How Is Lower Body Lift Combined With Other Procedures?
Patients often choose to pair their lower body lift with complementary procedures to support more well-rounded results. Dr. Vallecillos has extensive experience designing combined treatment plans that deliver cohesive outcomes. The following combinations are among the most commonly performed at his Beverly Hills practice:
Liposuction and Lower Body Lift
Liposuction is nearly always involved in some capacity during a lower body lift. In a traditional butt lift, it's used to remove excess fatty deposits before the skin excision and tissue repositioning steps. In a Brazilian Butt Lift, it serves the dual purpose of sculpting the donor sites and harvesting the fat that will be transferred to the buttocks.
Dr. Vallecillos may also recommend liposuction of the flanks, outer thighs or lower back to refine surrounding areas and create a more harmonious overall contour.
BodyTite and Lower Body Lift
For patients with mild to moderate skin laxity, BodyTite uses radiofrequency energy to stimulate collagen production and promote skin tightening from within. By enhancing the skin's ability to retract, BodyTite can help refine the results of a lower body lift and reduce the risk of post-operative skin concerns.
Tummy Tuck and Lower Body Lift
Patients who are concerned with both the lower body and the abdominal area often benefit from combining a lower body lift with a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty). Together, these procedures are often referred to as a "belt lipectomy" or circumferential body lift, which is a comprehensive approach that addresses the entire midsection in one surgery.
Whatever combination makes sense for your goals, Dr. Vallecillos will build a sequenced plan that prioritizes your safety, your comfort and the quality of your results.
Lower Body Lift Recovery, Downtime and Aftercare
Recovery from a lower body lift varies based on which technique is used and how many areas are treated, but in any case, a successful recovery requires weeks of careful management.
Week 1
Swelling, bruising, tenderness and mild drainage around the incision sites are all normal in this early window. Most patients experience discomfort that is manageable with prescription pain medication, which is typically needed for three to seven days. Dr. Vallecillos will likely recommend sleeping in a specific position to avoid placing direct pressure on the treatment area, and a compression garment will need to be worn consistently.
Weeks 2 to 4
By the second week, many patients feel well enough to return to desk work or other non-physically demanding activities. Swelling and bruising will persist, but should begin to decline during this time. Sutures are typically removed around the two-week mark. The newly contoured shape of the lower body will begin to come into view.
Weeks 5 and Beyond
Much of the swelling resolves by the end of the first month, and patients are generally cleared to resume light exercise around the five to six week mark. Final results, particularly for patients who underwent a Brazilian Butt Lift, typically stabilize between three and six months post-surgery, once the body has fully integrated the transferred fat.
Aftercare
Dr. Vallecillos will provide personalized aftercare instructions tailored to the specific procedure(s) you underwent. General aftercare principles for lower body lift patients typically include:
- Wearing compression garments as directed
- Avoiding sitting or lying directly on the buttocks for several weeks (especially relevant for BBL patients)
- Refraining from smoking and alcohol throughout the healing period
- Keeping incision sites clean and dry, and protecting them from sun exposure
- Attending all scheduled follow-up appointments
This list is not exhaustive, and your instructions may differ based on your procedure and individual recovery
Why Choose Dr. Vallecillos?
Dr. Glenn Vallecillos, MD, FACS, is one of Beverly Hills' most experienced and well-reviewed plastic surgeons, with a track record built on surgical precision, individualized care and results that hold up over time.
As a board-certified plastic surgeon, Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, Senior Faculty Member of Palette/Scientiae and a regular contributor to publications like the European Journal of Plastic Surgery, Dr. Vallecillos brings academic rigor and clinical excellence to every lower body lift he performs.
Pioneering Expertise in Advanced Body Contouring
Dr. Vallecillos holds the distinction of being the first plastic surgeon in the world to combine VASER-assisted high-definition lipoplasty with Inmode's RFAL FaceTite and BodyTite platforms. This groundbreaking integration allows him to deliver the ultimate definition available in hyper-aesthetic 4D body contouring. When you choose Dr. Vallecillos for your mommy makeover, you benefit from his innovative approach to surgical techniques that push the boundaries of what's possible in body transformation.
Recognized National Authority and Educator
As a Senior Faculty Member of Palette/Scientiae, Dr. Vallecillos provides continuing medical education training to nurses, physician assistants, physicians, and surgeons throughout the aUnited States and beyond. His role as an active national speaker and regular contributor to esteemed publications such as the European Journal of Plastic Surgery demonstrates his standing as a thought leader in plastic surgery. This commitment to advancing the field means you're receiving care from a surgeon who stays at the forefront of emerging techniques and technologies.
Board-Certified Excellence
Dr. Vallecillos is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, having completed rigorous training that included fellowship training in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Providence & St. John's Medical Center. His educational foundation from UCLA and clinical medical training at St. Bartholomew's and the Royal Medical College in London, England, combined with his general surgery training at the University of Michigan, provide him with comprehensive medical expertise that informs every aspect of patient care.
Partnership-Based Patient Care
Dr. Vallecillos's philosophy centers on partnership with his patients. He strives to establish strong relationships with patients, considering many of them family. As a patient of Dr. Vallecillos, you will experience genuine care and attention throughout every touchpoint of your surgical experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do lower body lift results last?
How long do lower body lift results last?
Results from a lower body lift are long-lasting, particularly when you maintain a stable weight and healthy lifestyle after surgery. The structural changes made to the tissue and skin are permanent, though the natural aging process will continue over time. For Brazilian Butt Lift patients, a portion of the transferred fat will be reabsorbed by the body in the months following surgery, but the fat that survives long-term behaves like natural fat tissue and should remain stable for years.
Will I have visible scars after a lower body lift?
Will I have visible scars after a lower body lift?
All surgical lower body lifts involve incisions, which means scarring is a reality of the procedure. Dr. Vallecillos strategically places incisions in locations that can be concealed by underwear or swimwear. With proper aftercare and scar management, most patients find that their scars fade significantly over time and become far less noticeable than anticipated.
Is a lower body lift safe?
Is a lower body lift safe?
Lower body lift surgery is safe for healthy adults when performed by a qualified, board-certified plastic surgeon. As with any surgical procedure, there are risks, including bleeding, infection, scarring and changes in sensation in the treated area. For Brazilian Butt Lifts specifically, it's critical that the procedure be performed by an experienced surgeon who follows established safety protocols for fat injection depth. Dr. Vallecillos adheres to the most current safety guidelines and will discuss all relevant risks with you during your consultation.
How soon after a lower body lift can I sit normally?
How soon after a lower body lift can I sit normally?
This depends on the technique used. Patients who undergo a Brazilian Butt Lift are typically advised to avoid sitting directly on the buttocks for approximately two to six weeks to protect the newly transferred fat cells while they integrate with the surrounding tissues. Special BBL pillows, which redirect pressure to the thighs, are often recommended during this period. Patients who undergo a traditional butt lift or butt implant procedure may have different positioning guidelines. Dr. Vallecillos will provide specific instructions based on your procedure.
Can a lower body lift address the thighs and abdomen as well?
Can a lower body lift address the thighs and abdomen as well?
Yes. A lower body lift can be extended to include a thigh lift and/or combined with a tummy tuck for patients who want to address multiple areas of the lower body. This comprehensive approach, sometimes referred to as a belt lipectomy or circumferential body lift, is particularly popular among patients who have undergone significant weight loss and are dealing with excess skin in multiple zones. Dr. Vallecillos will assess your anatomy and goals to determine whether a combined approach makes sense for you.