Safe and professional
Felt I was in very safe and professional hands from my first consultation with Bo. ESPECIALLY on the day of the operation itself, when I was very n…
Thomas Hansen
About the treatment
A lower back lift, also known as a buttock lift, can be relevant if there is excess skin and fat deposits in the lower part of the back and above the hips – often as a result of significant weight loss. During the procedure, the excess skin is removed, the buttocks are lifted and the contour is tightened, so that the waist and the lines of the back appear more defined and better balanced with the rest of the body.
At Caolín, the procedure is always planned individually, with a focus on natural proportions, a harmonious overall result and the neatest possible scar.
At a glance
- Price
- On request
- Anaesthesia
- General anaesthetic
- Duration
- 2-3 hours
- Hospital stay
- 1-3 hours
- Downtime
- 2 weeks
- Final result
- After 6–12 months
What is a lower back lift?
A lower back lift, also known as a buttock lift, is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin from the lower back, the hips and the upper part of the buttocks and lifts the buttocks to a higher position. The incision is placed along the upper edge of the buttocks, where the back meets the buttocks, and extends around both sides. In most cases, the incision is hidden by underwear and swimwear.
The procedure is the counterpart to a tummy tuck. While a tummy tuck tightens and lifts the front, a lower back lift does the same for the back. The two procedures are therefore most often combined in a single treatment called a belt lipectomy or a 360° body lift.
When is a lower back lift relevant?
The procedure is relevant for patients who are close to their ideal weight and have had a stable weight for at least 6 months. If you are still losing weight, it is recommended to wait until your weight has stabilised, as further weight loss after the surgery can change the result.
Significant weight loss
By far the most common starting point. Major weight loss through diet, exercise or bariatric surgery leaves excess skin on the back, hips and buttocks that the body cannot absorb.
Flat or sagging buttocks
Loss of projection and shape in the buttocks, giving the rear a flat and downward-sloping appearance.
Skin folds along the lower back and hips
Excess skin that gathers in folds along the lower back and above the hips can cause chafing and irritation.
Natural ageing
The skin loses elasticity with age, and the shape and position of the buttocks gradually drop.
Techniques and extent
Isolated lower back lift
The procedure is limited to the lower back, the hips and the buttocks. The incision runs along the upper edge of the buttocks, and the skin is removed from this area. The buttocks are lifted and tightened, and the hips are defined. Suitable for patients whose changes are mainly on the back of the body or who have previously had a tummy tuck. In practice, it is almost always combined with a tummy tuck.
360° body lift / Belt lipectomy
An extension of the procedure that combines a lower back lift with a tummy tuck in a single procedure. It is suitable for those who have a skin fold on the abdomen that continues onto the hips. The incision runs all the way around the body, on both the front and the back, and provides a complete transformation of the body's contour in one session. It is a larger and more demanding operation than an isolated lower back lift.
Combined liposuction and lower back lift
Liposuction of the flanks, hips and thighs is frequently combined with the procedure to shape and define the contour more precisely. The fat that is removed can, if desired, be reused for fat grafting, e.g. to give the buttocks more fullness and projection as a supplement to the lift.
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Questions and answers
Here you'll find the whole process step by step — from consultation to your first weeks at home. If there's anything you can't find an answer to, bring it along to your consultation.
A back and buttock lift removes excess skin and lifts the buttocks mechanically by tightening the skin upwards. A BBL adds volume to the buttocks through fat grafting. The two procedures address different things and can sometimes be combined: the lift provides position and firmer skin, while the BBL provides fullness and projection.
A 360° body lift, also known as a belt lipectomy, combines a tummy tuck and a lower back lift in a single procedure. The incision runs all the way around the body and provides a complete transformation of the body's contour. It is the most comprehensive body contouring operation and is particularly relevant after massive weight loss, where the changes extend all the way around the body.
Not necessarily. They can be performed in the same session as a 360° body lift, or with an interval of typically 3–6 months. The advantage of a single session is only one general anaesthetic; the advantage of separating them is a shorter surgery time and a more manageable recovery. The surgeon will advise you on the best plan at your consultation.
The scar is placed horizontally along the upper edge of the buttocks and extends around both sides. It is positioned so that it is hidden by underwear and swimwear. At Caolín, scar placement and meticulous suturing are an integral part of the planning.
Yes, the procedure lifts the position of the buttocks and gives a firmer, more defined shape by removing excess skin and tightening the tissue. It does not add volume. If you would like more fullness and projection, fat grafting may be the solution.
Sitting can cause mild discomfort at first, as the incision line along the upper edge of the buttocks can pull slightly when you are seated. Most people are comfortable sitting normally within 2–3 weeks. Avoid sitting for long periods during the first few weeks.
The swelling subsides gradually over 3–6 months, and the scar matures over 6–12 months. The final result can be seen after 6–12 months at the earliest.
No, a lower back lift is suitable for all genders, particularly after massive weight loss. At Caolín, the technique and contouring are adapted to masculine proportions where relevant.
The most relevant complications are bleeding, infection, wound healing problems, seroma (a collection of fluid), asymmetry and unsightly scarring. The risk increases with smoking, a BMI over 30 and when combined with many other procedures in the same session. We always plan carefully to keep surgery time and strain at a safe level.
Every treatment at Caolín starts with a thorough, no-obligation consultation, where the surgeon assesses your skin, your body's contour and the extent of the changes, and advises you on the approach that will give the best and safest result for you – on its own or as part of a combined treatment plan.
You are welcome to bring someone with you, and you can always contact us with questions along the way.
The process
What to expect at Caolín
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Consultation
Before you decide on a lower back lift (buttock lift), you will attend a consultation with our surgeon. At this consultation, you talk about your expectations, and the surgeon assesses what will give you the best result. You will also receive a thorough review of your options and an overview of the risks associated with each procedure.
Based on your expectations and the surgeon's recommendations, you plan the surgery together. You are welcome to bring someone with you to the consultation, as there is a lot of information to take in. By law, at least 7 days must pass after the consultation before you can give your final consent to cosmetic surgery.
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Before the surgery
You must stop taking medication containing acetylsalicylic acid one week before the surgery and avoid herbal remedies, particularly fish oil, ginger and vitamin D, from three weeks before. Any blood-thinning medication will be discussed with the surgeon at your consultation. You must stop smoking for at least 4 weeks before and 6 weeks after the surgery.
On the day of surgery, take a shower, avoid applying body lotion to the surgical area and arrive in loose, comfortable clothing without jewellery. The surgery is performed under general anaesthetic, and you must fast for 6 hours beforehand. You may drink small amounts of clear fluids up to 2 hours before.
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During the surgery
You will be welcomed by a nurse and shown to your room, where an IV line is inserted. The anaesthetist talks to you about the anaesthesia, and the surgeon goes through the plan and marks the area to be operated on.
Depending on the extent of the procedure and the need for liposuction, the surgery takes approximately 2–3 hours. Liposuction is performed first, followed by removal of skin and fatty tissue, and finally the tissue and skin are closed. In some cases, one or two drains are placed. The wounds are closed with dissolvable stitches, and you are fitted with tape, dressings and a compression bandage.
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After the surgery
After the surgery, you are taken to the recovery unit, where a nurse keeps an eye on you. Depending on the extent of the surgery, you may be discharged after a few hours. You should arrange for someone to collect you, as you must not drive yourself.
As the surgery has been performed under general anaesthetic, you will typically feel tired and drowsy for the first 24 hours. We recommend that you have an adult with you for the first 24 hours and that you take things easy for the first few days to reduce the risk of bleeding and swelling.
Book a free consultation at Caolín
Your journey begins with a personal consultation. Here we go through your wishes and options, so that together we can create a treatment plan that feels right for you.
The specialists
Bo Sonnich Rasmussen, MD, PHD
Founder & Chief Plastic Surgeon
Bo Sonnich Rasmussen is a consultant in plastic surgery and one of the Nordic region's leading specialists in cosmetic breast surgery and advanced facial surgery, and one of the few surgeons to master endoscopic facelifts with no visible scars. He holds a PhD in breast reconstruction with stem cell-enriched fat transfer and is internationally recognised for his work and research in the field.
Frederik Kølle, MD, PHD
Founder & Chief Plastic Surgeon
Frederik Kølle is a certified and internationally recognised plastic surgeon specialising in facial and cosmetic surgery as well as advanced fat transfer and body contouring. He is among the leading experts in the Nordic region and masters the full spectrum of facial and breast surgery.
Related treatments
Financing your treatment
We offer financing so you can spread the cost. If you have any questions about financing, you are always welcome to contact us – or ask at your consultation.
The calculation is for guidance only. Credit assessment and terms are set by Resurs Bank.