The plastic surgery operation known as a butt lift, thighplasty, or excisional thigh lipectomy is a procedure which addresses a range of problems in the inner thighs ranging from excess fat deposits to loose skin to weak muscles and stretch marks. Butt lift is a common plastic surgery operation for the removal of loose skin after massive weight loss following successful bariatric surgery. It may also form part of a body lift - a more complex plastic surgery procedure that combines tummy tuck, thigh, and buttock lift. A Butt lift is typically performed under general anesthesia. The butt lift procedure will usually last three hours or less. Before the operation, the surgeon plans the operation by marking where the skin-incisions are to be made for optimum body shaping effect. Several incisions are made where the doctor believes cutting will be most effective for the patient with the least side effects and scarring. With this particular procedure, you will want to know that your surgeon is qualified and experienced to perform the butt lifts. Many surgeons have taken special training and passed exams given by a national board of surgeons. Ask if your surgeon is "board certified" in surgery. Some butt lift surgeons also have the letters F.A.C.S. after their name. This means they are Fellows of the American College of Surgeons and have passed another review by surgeons. Suppose that your butt lift doctor recommends that you consider having an operation. How do you go about finding a qualified surgeon? If you or someone you know is considering elective surgery, you should be aware that there are some ways to objectively evaluate your surgeon. The American College of Surgeons—the largest international organization of surgeons in the world—recommends that you look for the following qualifications: A good indication of a butt lift surgeons competence is certification by a surgical board that is approved by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). In order for a physician to become board certified in butt lifts, he or she must complete the designated years of residency training in that specialty, and then demonstrate his or her knowledge by successfully completing a rigorous examination. When you choose a surgeon who is certified by an ABMS-approved board, you select a physician whose specialty is in surgery, and who has been rigorously tested by fellow surgeons in their field. This is the best possible type of reassurance, and will put the odds in your favor that once all is said and done, you will be happy the results.