By Dr. Michael Cohen, Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon at PSCHR
Significant weight loss is a remarkable achievement, but it can leave behind excess, sagging skin in various areas of the body, including the neck, arms, breasts, abdomen, thighs, and buttocks. While many people associate a “butt lift” with the popular Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL), this approach isn’t always suitable for patients who have experienced significant weight loss. For these individuals, traditional fat transfer methods like BBL may not be effective due to a lack of available donor fat and the presence of significant skin laxity.
For patients with flat, deflated, or sagging buttocks, Dr. Cohen offers a more specialized approach known as a Posterior Body Lift, which addresses these challenges by using the patient’s own tissue to both lift and add volume, without the need for fat transfer. This innovative technique is particularly well-suited for weight loss patients who want to restore a more youthful, balanced silhouette.
How It Works:
- Lifting and Reshaping: The procedure begins by removing a strip of excess skin along the lower back, in the “love handle” regions. This strategic incision not only tightens the surrounding skin but also allows Dr. Cohen to reposition and reshape the buttocks, creating a more defined contour.
- Volume Enhancement with Natural Tissue: Instead of relying on fat transfer, this technique uses the patient’s own lower back tissue, which is carefully repositioned on top of the gluteal muscle and over the newly lifted buttock area. This provides a natural, lasting volume boost without the limitations of fat grafting.
- Discreet Scarring: The resulting scar typically sits at the border between the lower back and the buttocks, making it easily concealed by most bikini bottoms and underwear.
- Fewer Post-Operative Restrictions: Unlike a BBL, which requires patients to avoid sitting directly on their buttocks for several weeks, this approach has no such restrictions, allowing for a more comfortable recovery.
Ideal Candidates for the Posterior Body Lift:
- Individuals with significant weight loss who have developed loose, sagging skin in the buttock area
- Patients who lack sufficient donor fat for a traditional BBL
- Those looking to achieve both a lifted and fuller appearance without implants or extensive downtime
Combining Procedures for a Total Body Transformation:
Many patients opt to combine this technique with a tummy tuck for a more comprehensive body contouring outcome, either as part of a single-stage procedure or in a later, separate surgery. This flexibility allows patients to achieve their aesthetic goals at their own pace.
