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With A Warm, Caring Staff and Stunningly Natural Results,
Our Approach to Surgery is Anything but Plastic

Freedom From the Skin & Memories

Whether you lost weight naturally or with medical assistance, many patients feel it is truly a liberating experience that should be celebrated as a personal accomplishment. Such a triumph as losing 5, 10, or even 200 pounds should be a victory and no individual should feel bound by the excess skin that remains after massive weight loss. If you have excess skin remaining from massive weight loss you may be an excellent candidate for complete or partial body contouring. Dr. Coan and his staff look forward to working with you on a journey of physical, spiritual, and emotional empowerment, liberation, and confidence.

Click here to read answers to some frequently asked questions about body contouring

What’s Body Contouring/Body Lift?

A body lift improves the shape and tone of the underlying tissue that supports fat and skin. Excess sagging skin is removed to treat conditions caused in part by poor tissue elasticity. In addition, the procedure can remove damaged skin and stretch marks.
Keeping your needs and concerns at the forefront, Dr. Coan will discuss the best way to ensure you receive the safest and best possible result. This often involves multiple procedures so “staging” procedures become an important part of any plan for achieving the result you deserve.

Common areas in consideration for optimal results:

  • Abdominal area, often extending around the sides and into the lower back area
  • Breast rejuvenation
  • Buttocks, that may be low, flat, or unevenly shaped
  • Groin that may sag into the inner thigh
  • Thigh, including the inner, outer, or posterior thigh, or circumferentially

Would I Be a Good Candidate?

All candidates for body lift surgery have extra skin which must be removed by excision. There will be scars at any location skin is removed and it is our goal to hide these as much as possible.  Every person is unique and accordingly have proportions of loose skin that vary based on anatomy, amount of skin to be removed, the elasticity of the remaining skin, and your own ability to heal.

What Are the Characteristics Of A Body Lift/ Lower Body Lift Candidate?

  • Loose skin on their buttocks and the back of their thighs
  • Loose skin on their hips and the side of their thighs
  • Loose skin in the front of their thighs
  • Loose abdominal skin or in their inner thighs
  • Relatively thin layers of fat below the skin of these areas
  • Acceptance of the thin scars around the waist
  • Patients who have had massive weight loss

Let’s Get To It!: The Procedure

All lower body lift techniques tighten the buttocks/back of the thighs and hips/outer thighs. These techniques tighten loose, sagging skin by removing skin through surgical excision. A lower body lift can include the removal of the fat layer under the excised skin to lessen fullness and padding in the lower body.


The body lift procedure is typically performed under general anesthesia by a board-certified anesthesiologist in a fully accredited surgical facility. Depending on your specific procedure, you may require an overnight stay in the surgical center.

Additional Procedural Considerations

Since the lower body lift is centered on the removal and tightening of loose tissue (skin and fat), this procedure should be performed when you have come close or reached your desired or ideal body weight. For example, if you tighten your lower body and then lose weight, the tightened skin will loosen and become saggy. Conversely, postoperative weight gain will either stretch the skin which has been tightened or undo the improvements of the body lift.

What are Possible Side Effects and How Will I Be Supported?

During your consultation, the CARE patient care coordinators, nurses, medical assistants, and Dr. Coan will ensure that you are made aware of any issues that could arise from a body lift surgery.

Swelling

Swelling is a common response of the body after any plastic and cosmetic surgery procedure, including body lift/ lower body lift procedures. Dr. Coan and the staff at CARE take extra steps to control and manage swelling. At CARE our patients are measured for custom-fit compression garments which aid in reducing and controlling swelling and puffiness. Also, our team will incorporate the use of drains and sterile collection tubes used to evacuate excess fluid.

During your postoperative visits, Dr. Coan will adjust your compression garments and drains based on visible progress which varies among patients. Full healing of the circumferential incisions may take four to six weeks and varies from patient to patient. As a rule of thumb, healing is a process that should not be rushed in order to ensure that your physical investment stays looking its best.

Recovery: Making It to the Finish Line

Since your procedure is an individualized one, your recovery period will differ from others. We recommend you bring your spouse or friend who will care for you in the days after surgery with you to your consultation. We recommend our patients plan on extra household help, especially so that they may refrain from heavy lifting. Dr. Coan and his surgical nurses and staff will be pleased to review your treatment plan individualized and customized for your procedure.

Scheduling a Consultation

Our friendly staff is here to help answer your questions and provide you with information and answers even before your first consultation. Our goal as a practice is to ensure that each patient leaves the office feeling more informed and secure than s/he did walking into our office, with the highest attention to detail and service.  To learn more about the body lift procedure with Dr. Coan, we encourage you to schedule a consultation by calling CARE at 919-578-6234. During your consultation, we’ll provide you the opportunity to view Dr. Coan’s extensive before and after photo gallery and patient testimonials of past body lift patients.

Considering Massive Weight Loss Surgery?

CARE proudly supports and refers patients considering weight loss surgery to the board-certified surgeon, Dr. Paul Enochs at Bariatric Specialists of North Carolina: http://www.surgerync.com. To date, Dr. Enochs has done more bariatric procedures in the RDU area than any other bariatric surgeon. He is board certified by the American Board of Surgery, a member of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. We are thrilled to be in collaboration with such an upstanding and skilled surgeon as Dr. Enochs. Should you wish to reach Dr. Enochs’ staff at Bariatric Specialists of North Carolina, please call (919) 234-4468.

Dr. Enochs founded the Triangle’s premier private weight loss surgery center, Bariatric Specialists of North Carolina, 10 years ago. He executed Raleigh’s first gastric bypass procedure and Lap-Band procedure. Bariatric Specialists of North

Carolina is the only bariatric surgery center that performs the Single Incision Lap-Band procedure (SILS).  Dr. Enochs is currently the Medical Director for Bariatrics at Wake Med Cary Hospital and formerly at Rex Hospital in Raleigh.

Before and After

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a lower body lift include thighs?

To some degree, a lower body lift will result in some improvement to the outer thigh. Specifically, there will be a smoother contour with less irregularity due to skin laxity and excess. However, a thigh lift procedure gives improvement primarily in the inner thigh. This procedure is often the last to be performed for a weight loss patient for various reasons. There is much more opportunity for improvement in a lower body lift as it addresses both the abdomen and buttock regions.

How do they remove excess skin after weight loss?

Excess skin that is left over after losing significant weight is surgically removed by a plastic surgeon. This is typically done with attention to visible scarring, ensuring any scars are hidden within the natural contours of the body.

Does insurance cover lower body lift?

While some weight loss procedures are covered by insurance, a lower body lift is considered to be a cosmetic procedure and therefore an out-of-pocket expense. Our team at CARE Plastic Surgery is excited to work with you to determine the best financing options for you and help you in any way we can.

What does a lower body lift consist of?

A lower body lift procedure addresses excess skin and skin laxity in the lower half of the body. This procedure combines the effect of an abdominoplasty, or “tummy tuck”, with a butt lift. With a tummy tuck, there is maximum improvement in the abdomen as the muscles are tightened and excess skin is removed. The butt lift rejuvenates the buttock as it provides a smoother contour, while secondarily utilizing one's own tissue to restore volume to the buttock. Combining these procedures provides patients with a complete body transformation to celebrate all the hard work they have accomplished thus far in their weight loss journey.

What is the difference between a body lift and a tummy tuck?

A tummy tuck focuses solely on the abdomen, removing excess skin while tightening the abdominal muscles. On the other hand, a body lift addresses multiple areas, including the abdomen, thighs, buttocks, and sometimes the lower back, providing an overall improved contour of the lower body. A body lift is better suited for patients who have undergone significant weight loss.

How much weight should I lose before considering a body lift?

It’s best to be at or near your goal weight—typically within 10-15 pounds of it—before undergoing a body lift. We encourage patients to be stable at their goal weight. This ensures optimal results and minimizes risks, as significant weight changes after surgery can affect outcomes.

Will a body lift help with cellulite reduction?

While a body lift can smooth and tighten skin, it is not specifically designed to address cellulite. However, some patients do notice an improvement in the appearance of cellulite due to the removal of excess skin and better contouring of the lower body.

What's the typical age range for body lift patients?

There are no exact age restrictions for body lift patients. While many fall within a range of 30 to 60 years old, a body lift is suitable for anyone who has undergone significant weight loss.

How long do the results of a body lift last?

The results of a body lift are long-lasting, especially when results are maintained with a stable weight and a healthy lifestyle. While aging and gravity continue to affect the body, most patients enjoy their results for many years if they maintain their weight.

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Real Testimonials

I am so happy with my results! This entire experience could not have been better! Dr. Coan and his staff are amazing and so caring! They answered all of my questions and made the process very pleasant! I am so happy with the way my body looks. Thank you Dr. Coan & Staff!

- Verified Care Plastic Surgery Patient

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By completing this form, you will be entered into an automated system to receive an occasional reminder / promotional emails and / or text messages. You may unsubscribe at any time. Messages and data rates may apply.