Drainless Lower Body Lift Surgery

Drainless Lower Body Lift Surgery With St. Louis Plastic Surgeon and International Authority — Dr. Samer Cabbabe

St. Louis plastic surgeon Dr. Samer Cabbabe has developed and published proprietary body-contouring techniques—including the world’s first drainless lower body lift series ever published—achieving the lowest complication rate ever described with incredible, transformative results.

Recognized as an international authority in advanced body contouring, Dr. Cabbabe lectures and teaches worldwide, sharing his pioneering approach with surgeons across the globe. This comprehensive method, designed and perfected in St. Louis, remains rarely performed and offers patients a safer procedure, faster recovery, and unparalleled aesthetic outcomes.

Landmark Publication – Published, Proven, and Safer

Dr. Cabbabe’s landmark paper detailed the first drainless lower body lift series ever published, in which every patient underwent 360° liposuction with fat transfer to the buttocks as needed. His peer-reviewed data demonstrated the lowest complication rate ever reported for this demanding operation, validating both the safety and superior aesthetic results of his approach. These findings have set a new standard for surgeons worldwide and cemented Dr. Cabbabe’s reputation as a true innovator in body contouring.

Who Really Needs a Lower Body Lift

Approximately 70% of patients who initially consult for a tummy tuck actually require a lower body lift or 360° tummy tuck to achieve the results they truly want. A standard tummy tuck cannot adequately tighten the waist, hips, and back when significant 360° excess skin and tissue are present.

Even with front-only muscle repair and skin removal, large amounts of laxity around the flanks and lower back will remain, leaving many patients with persistent muffin top, side bulges, or hanging back skin despite a flat abdomen.

For these individuals, only a true 360° lower body lift or extended 360° tummy tuck—with circumferential skin removal and high-definition liposuction—can provide the dramatic waist shaping and comprehensive tightening needed for a balanced, sculpted result.

Patients who undergo limited skin removal frequently return for revision surgery once they realize that full circumferential excision was needed to reach their goals.

Comprehensive 360° Contouring

A lower body lift is the most powerful body-reshaping operation available for patients who have experienced major weight loss or who desire complete torso, hip, and buttock transformation. Unlike a standard tummy tuck, this circumferential procedure addresses the abdomen, flanks, hips, back, outer thighs, and buttocks in a single operation. Key elements of Dr. Cabbabe’s technique include:

• 360° High-Definition Liposuction with 4D/ab-etching to create soft, natural muscle definition and sculpt the waistline.
• Fat Transfer/Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) to enhance the buttocks whenever additional volume or shaping is desired.
• Buttock Fold Excision – a signature technique developed by Dr. Cabbabe to sculpt and tighten the lower buttock crease, improving shape and definition where sagging often persists.
• Pubic, Hip, Lateral Thigh, and Buttock Lifting for a complete lower-torso transformation.
• Advanced Muscle Repair that goes beyond traditional plication to restore core strength and abdominal flatness.
• Mesh Reinforcement when needed for severe diastasis or dysfunctional abdominal muscles—a unique feature of Dr. Cabbabe’s practice rarely offered elsewhere.
• Strategic Low Scar Placement so incisions remain hidden beneath underwear or bikinis, even for circumferential lifts.
• Routine Pubic Lift for a smooth, youthful transition from abdomen to pubic area.
• Umbilical Creation or Hernia Repair when necessary; small incidental hernias are routinely repaired during the procedure.

This meticulous, layered approach ensures true body contouring—not simple skin removal—producing harmonious curves and believable definition from every angle.

Why So Few Surgeons Offer This

Despite the superior results of a properly executed lower body lift, many plastic surgeons never offer this procedure. It is technically demanding, rarely taught during training, and requires mastery of both advanced liposuction and complex skin removal.

As a result, most surgeons perform only standard tummy tucks or limited excisions, leaving patients with incomplete results and higher revision rates. Dr. Cabbabe routinely treats patients seeking revision surgery after procedures performed elsewhere when full skin removal, fat transfer, or circumferential shaping were not offered.

The Surgical Process

Every procedure is performed with patient safety as the top priority. All lower body lifts are done in an accredited hospital where patients receive IV fluids, continuous monitoring, and an overnight stay. An anesthesiologist is present for every operation, ensuring the highest level of comfort and safety.

• Meticulous Technique for the Best Scars: Dr. Cabbabe’s careful incision planning and closure methods, combined with his precision surgical technique, consistently produce low, bikini-hidden scars even for circumferential excisions.
• Scar Care Products: Silicone is the gold-standard ingredient for scar management. Patients are provided with guidance on medical-grade silicone gel or silicone tape for at-home use.
• Pre-Surgery Optimization: Because blood loss is inherent to liposuction and large-area skin removal, patients are advised to start iron supplementation (multivitamin with iron or iron plus calcium) at least three months before surgery to minimize anemia and support healing.
• Medical Requirements: Patients must be in good general health with no significant heart, lung, or organ problems. For safety and the best contour, a BMI under 33 is recommended, with an optimal range of 25–28 for the most dramatic skin tightening and body shaping. Patients above this range are encouraged to lose weight before surgery for the best outcome.

Recovery

Thanks to Dr. Cabbabe’s refined protocols, most patients can expect a full return to work and exercise in roughly three weeks, depending on individual healing. Key recovery guidelines include:

• Compression Garments: Patients are supplied with at least one garment and should plan to remain in compression for approximately three months to control swelling and support the new contours. Having additional garments in different sizes is helpful as swelling decreases.
• Lymphatic Massage: Post-operative lymphatic drainage massages are strongly recommended whenever liposuction is performed to reduce fluid retention and accelerate recovery.
• Home Comfort Items: Many patients benefit from lift chairs or a recliner for easier sleeping during the first one to two weeks, along with extra pillows and gauze. When fat transfer to the buttocks is performed, pillows can be positioned to reduce pressure on the buttocks when sitting or resting. A female urination device can also be helpful when wearing compression garments.
• Activity Progression: Light walking begins the day after surgery, with gradual increases in mobility as directed by Dr. Cabbabe.

Cost

The cost of a lower body lift in St. Louis varies based on the extent of contouring, anesthesia fees, hospital charges, surgeon’s fees, medical tests, post-surgery garments, and prescribed medications. Because every procedure is individually customized to the patient’s anatomy and goals, a personalized price quote is provided after your consultation.

Schedule Your Drainless Tummy Tuck Consultation in St. Louis

If you’re ready to explore your options for a slimmer mid-section, Dr. Cabbabe’s expertise in no drain abdominoplasty makes him a top choice for patients seeking safe, comprehensive, and transformative body contouring. To begin your path to a more physically fit appearance—contact Cabbabe Plastic Surgery in St. Louis today to schedule a drainless tummy tuck consultation.