Quick Links
Substantial weight loss, whether achieved through disciplined diet and exercise or transformative bariatric surgery, brings about remarkable health improvements. However, the skin and tissues often lack the elasticity required to naturally adjust to the reduced body size. You may to feel dissatisfied with the presence of loose skin, remaining areas of fat and irregular body contours. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Lucie Capek, based in Albany, NY, specializes in the art of surgical body contouring to address these concerns. The bra-line back lift addresses loose skin across the upper back. The lower body lift procedure specifically targets excess fat and sagging skin in the abdomen, hips, upper thighs and buttocks resulting in a refined and more aesthetically pleasing figure.
Rediscover confidence and unveil a refined figure with this crucial step in your weight loss journey. While surgical body contouring enhances your new, healthy silhouette, maintaining the results requires a commitment to diet and exercise.
Am I a Good Candidate?
If you’ve achieved substantial weight loss but are now contending with lingering skin laxity in areas such as the abdomen, waist, hips, back, upper thighs, and buttocks, a body lift procedure could be a transformative solution.
As with all cosmetic procedures, good health and reasonable expectations of the outcome are important. Dr. Capek advises the the following before recommending this surgery:
- You’ve maintained a stable weight for at least 6 months and have reached a target weight below a BMI of 32, as a higher BMI is directly tied to an increased risk of complications.
- You cannot smoke for at least 6 weeks before or 6 weeks after this surgery. Major wound healing problems and other life-threatening complications are much more likely in smokers.
- For a lower body lift, which includes a tummy tuck, you should be done having children because pregnancy is likely to stretch your skin and abdominal wall back out of shape. However, a lower body lift will not interfere with you having a future, safe pregnancy if you choose to do so.
- You can accept the trade-off of permanent scars for the major shape improvement you are likely to see.
We recognize that this is major surgery and ensuring your health and safety is paramount. It’s crucial to be in peak physical condition, maintain optimal health, and be a non-smoker before undergoing this procedure. Realistic expectations are key and you must be able to accept the inevitable trade-off of scars.
To tailor the approach to your unique circumstances and aspirations, a consultation with Dr. Capek is indispensable. Your individual situation will be thoroughly evaluated to pave the way for a successful and personalized body lift journey.
Before Your Procedure
The success of your surgery, ensuring safety and overall satisfaction, hinges on your overall health and personal outlook. Open communication is vital—honestly share your expectations, disclose your complete medical history, and commit to following Dr. Capek’s instructions.
An initial consultation with Dr. Capek is necessary to discuss your goals and to review the best course of treatment for your specific concerns. Dr. Capek will carefully examine you, review your health history, and answer your questions. You will have a thorough understanding of your surgery plan at the end of your visit. Being prepared for the procedure is your first step in ensuring a positive outcome.
As always, you want to be in optimum health when considering elective surgery. Follow a healthy lifestyle, including diet and exercise, don’t smoke since this decreases your body’s ability to heal normally and increases the likelihood of serious complications, and follow your primary care physician’s advice when treating chronic conditions like high blood pressure.
You will meet with out Patient Coordinator to review quotes, scheduling and policies. Once you have scheduled your surgery, Dr. Capek’s staff will provide you with written, specific pre- and post surgery instructions covering diagnostic testing, medications, the day of surgery details, anesthesia, and post-operative care. You will also have a phone call with one of our nurses to review these documents, as well as consent forms for surgery. It is natural to feel some anxiety, whether excitement for the anticipated outcomes or preoperative stress. Discuss these feelings openly.
board-certified plastic surgeon
DR. LUCIE CAPEK
Dr. Lucie Capek offers advanced cosmetic plastic surgery from the unique perspective of a female plastic surgeon. Since 1996, she has been serving patients in the Capital District from Albany, Saratoga, Schenectady, and Troy, NY. She is known for using the latest technology to perform body contouring, breast surgery, and facial cosmetic surgery. She personalizes every treatment to give each patient the most natural-looking results, enhancing their beauty and increasing their self-confidence. Above all, her practice is dedicated to your health and wellness. Dr. Capek understands that your beauty and confidence is about more than just your appearance. To schedule your first consultation, contact Lucie Capek, MD.
LEARN MOREYour Procedure
Body lifts are typically performed under general anesthesia. A bra-line back lift is a more limited procedure and is usually done in our accredited, office-based surgical suite, Capek Surgical Arts. Dr. Capek performs the more extensive lower body lifts in a hospital surgical facility.
Bra-Line Back Lift
The bra-line back lift surgery is marked out across the upper back so that your scar is ultimately hidden under a standard bra. Dr. Capek contours the area with liposuction and surgically removes hanging skin to give you a smooth contour in your clothing. No drains are used and the incisions are sutured with internal, absorbable, anti-bacterial sutures and skin is glue. A soft bra is placed at the end of the procedure.
Lower Body Lift
The lower body lift surgery is a bigger procedure that includes an Abdominoplasty, as well as extended incisions across the hips and above the buttocks. Dr. Capek marks out the incisions and tissue to be removed while you are awake and standing, prior to your surgery. Areas to be treated with Liposuction are also marked, since this is part of a lower body lift in the vast majority of patients.
The Procedure
During your operation, Dr. Capek will make incisions based on the markings. These are usually very low on the abdomen, just above the pubic area and extending across the hips and above the buttocks, all planned to be concealed in undergarments or a bathing suit. In some cases after massive weight loss, a ‘corset’ abdominoplasty may be needed , which includes a vertical incision up the central
abdomen.
After you are asleep under anesthesia, you will be positioned prone, lying on your belly and Dr. Capek will perform the back part of the operation, removing excess skin and fat to contour and lift the buttocks, hips and outer thighs. Incisions are sutured with internal, absorbable, anti-bacterial sutures and the skin is glued as well. During the surgery, Dr. Capek uses the state-of-the-art HARMONIC® scalpel, an ultrasound instrument that has been shown to be gentler on the tissues and results in less bleeding and pain after surgery. You will wake up with 4 small drains to remove excess fluid and a dressing and compression garment.
For some patients, additional recommended procedures may be done at the same time as body lifts and include:
- Arm lift – corrects sagging upper arms, or “batwings”
- Thigh lift – corrects sagging inner thighs
- Breast lift – corrects sagging, drooping breasts
Body contouring post massive weight loss is usually performed in stages. You and Dr. Capek will define your comprehensive surgical plan based on your specific concerns, goals and priorities, as well as your overall health. To understand each procedure being discussed with you, please visit each procedural page within our site.
*Procedure performed by Dr. Capek
After Your Procedure
The recovery time after a body lift procedure will depend on many factors, including the type of surgery you have as well as your age, health, and fitness level.
Bra-Line Back Lift
After your surgery, your may go home the same day wearing a light bra. You will have detailed instructions and prescription medication to help control your discomfort though over-the-counter medication such as extra strength acetaminophen is adequate for most patients. You can shower 2 days after surgery. Most people go back to sedentary work after 7 days and longer if your job is active. After surgery, you should be moving around and walking frequently during the day but more strenuous activities that raise your heart rate are restricted for at least 2 weeks.
Lower Body Lift
After your surgery, your may go home the same day or stay overnight at the hospital. You will have drains and a compression garment such as a binder or girdle. You will have detailed instructions and prescription medication to help control your discomfort, and most patients are also prescribed a blood thinner. You can shower 2 days after surgery and your drains will be removed at your follow up 5-6 days after surgery. Most people go back to sedentary work after 10-14 days and longer if your job is active. After surgery, you should be moving around and walking frequently during the day but more strenuous activities that raise your heart rate are restricted for at least 2 weeks.
Full recovery for lower body lift, when you are allowed to resume core abdominal exercises, twisting and high impact fitness, takes about 8 weeks. Dr. Capek and her staff give you detailed instructions to follow after your procedure and their careful monitoring and care will help you recover as quickly as possible.
Results
The results from your body contouring procedures can be seen immediately after the procedure, but it may take up to a year for the swelling and numbness to resolve and for the final results to be appreciated. Results vary by patient. Although visible scars are something that may take time to get used to, this is a small price to pay for your new physique. Body lift results are permanent as long as you maintain a healthy diet and exercise routine after surgery.
What are the Risks?
In general, significant complications associated with body lifts are infrequent and the satisfaction rate is high. Dr. Capek is an experienced, Board-certified plastic surgeon and has performed hundreds of body contouring procedures in accredited operating rooms with the collaboration of board-certified anesthesiologists. However, all surgeries carry some associated risks and complications. These may include bleeding or infection, wound healing problems, seromas (fluid collections), poor-quality scars, blood clots, and reactions to anesthesia. Because lower body lift surgery (including abdominoplasty) has a higher risk of blood clots and embolism that other cosmetic surgeries, Dr. Capek prescribes blood thinners for a short period of time after this surgery for most patients. You can help minimize the risks of surgery by following Dr. Capek’s recommendations and aftercare instructions during lower body lift recovery.
QuadA Accredited
CAPEK SURGICAL ARTS
Dr. Capek is pleased to offer her patients an intimate, comfortable and discreet surgical experience at Capek Surgical Arts (CSA), her state-of-the-art Quad A accredited operating suite right here in Latham, NY. You can undergo your procedure under the expert care of board-certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Capek and her exceptional team of anesthesia and clinical staff without having to go to a hospital or surgery center.
LEARN MOREDoes a lower body lift include thighs?
How much is a 360 body lift?
What is included in a body lift?
What is the recovery time for a body lift?
How painful is a body lift?
How long do body lifts last?
How much weight do you lose with a lower body lift?
Does lower body lift include lifting the pubic area?
Is a body lift better than liposuction?
Does a lower body lift include inner thighs?
What is a pannus belly?
Why Choose Capek Plastic Surgery & MedSpa for Body Lift
Body lift procedures at Capek Plastic Surgery & MedSpa are tailored to address excess skin and restore smooth contours after significant weight changes. Dr. Capek combines technical expertise with a refined artistic vision, evaluating each patient’s body to ensure results that are natural, proportionate, and harmonious.
Patients receive attentive care throughout every stage of their transformation, leaving with enhanced body contours, improved posture, and a renewed sense of confidence. The procedure can make exercise, daily movement, and clothing fit easier, contributing to a more active lifestyle and renewed confidence in overall body appearance. Dr. Capek’s approach emphasizes both aesthetic and functional results for long-lasting satisfaction
Schedule a Consultation
Patients throughout the Capital District areas of Albany, Schenectady, Troy and Saratoga trust New York Plastic Surgeon Dr. Lucie Capek to perform their body contouring surgery. Many of our patients also travel from New York City, Vermont, Massachusetts and beyond to receive her skilled and compassionate care.
If you would like to learn more about body contouring procedures after major weight loss, contact our office today to schedule your consultation. Our office is just 13 miles from Albany and 9 miles from Schenectady, New York.
SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION
For more information, schedule your consultation appointment with Dr. Capek today!
Advanced Cosmetic Surgery 
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon 
Boutique Aesthetic Practice & Medspa 
MedSpa - @capekmedspa
Dr. Lucie Capek
Dr. Lucie Capek is a dual board-certified plastic surgeon, certified by both the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. With more than three decades of experience, she has perfected the art of blending surgical precision with artistic vision to create beautiful, natural results for her patients.
Throughout her distinguished career, Dr. Capek has helped thousands of individuals achieve their aesthetic goals with skill, compassion, and integrity. She is an active member of several esteemed professional organizations, including the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, The Aesthetic Society, the American College of Surgeons, the New York State Society of Plastic Surgeons, and the Medical Society of the State of New York (MSSNY).
Dr. Capek’s commitment to excellence and personalized care has earned her a reputation as one of the region’s most trusted and respected plastic surgeons.
