Body Lift

The body lift procedure is designed for improving the tone and shape of the core tissue that is responsible for supporting fat and skin.

Why Body Lift?

There are several people who report losing significant weight with exercise, diet, and/or surgery, but are disappointed to see stubborn fat deposits and sagging skin in numerous body parts, particularly around the middle abdomen. Hence, it becomes difficult to embrace the new body and find the right-fitting clothes.

They may also feel self-conscious and frustrated at some point. The good news is that advancements in cosmetic surgery have allowed surgeons to provide a very effective solution to this problem: a body lift. Besides removing the excess fat and sagging skin, a body lift procedure also repairs an irregular and dimpled skin surface.

The procedure is usually performed in the following areas:

Buttocks
Abdomen (including the sides as well as lower back)
Thighs (outer, inner, or overall circumference)

Factors such as pregnancy, major weight fluctuations, genes, aging, and sun damage could have a negative impact on tissue elasticity which can ultimately result in a sagging abdomen, thighs, and buttocks. These are the primary reasons why some people opt for a body lift procedure.

The Procedure

Your doctor will explain that a full body lift is ideal for those looking to treat the abdomen, buttocks, thighs, hips, and waist in a single procedure. In a body lift, the incision made in a tummy tuck is extended all the way around your lower torso. This allows the surgeon to tighten the muscles of the buttocks and lift the thighs while also executing the traditional abdominoplasty.

The type and length of the incision will vary, depending on the amount of excess skin that needs to be removed as well as the placement of the skin. We schedule an initial consultation with each body lift patient to discuss their incision preferences prior to surgery. Like most other cosmetic surgeries, the body lift procedure is absolutely customizable to each patient’s individual goals and needs.

Candidates for Body Lift

As explained earlier, several individuals who have lost a significant amount of weight wish to undergo a body lift procedure. But in order to enjoy a slimmer, toned, and more attractive physique with a body lift, potential candidates must meet certain critical criteria. These include the following:

Loss of 30-50% of peak weight
Appearance of drooping skin and fat around the abdominal area (if there is primarily fat deposition, candidate might have to lose additional weight before surgery)
Record of stable weight, because fluctuations have the effect of hindering procedure results

If you talk to a few cosmetic surgeons, they will likely recommend waiting for at least 2 years after you have achieved the desired weight loss to undergo surgery. This is because your skin gets sufficient time for accommodation and ensures that the weight will not be regained after surgery.

What to Expect After Surgery

The body lift results are noticeable almost instantly. But it could take about two or more years before the final outcome of the procedure fully develops and becomes visible.

Surgeons explain that it is possible for a few surgery scars to remain, however, the final results are almost permanent, given that the patient is successful in following a general fitness regime and maintaining a steady weight. You need to have realistic expectations out of the procedure and accept some amount of change in skin firmness as the body ages. Having said that, most of the former improvements will continue to show even in the long run.

The Initial Consultation

The initial consultation with your plastic surgeon is very important in a body lift procedure. You need to have a clear understanding of your goals as well as the medical condition so that any additional and/or alternative treatments can be considered. Candidates are advised to go for the consultation with a prepared list of questions and their full medical history. Some of the common questions that a surgeon may ask a body lift patient include:

Have you undergone any other surgeries?
Do you suffer from any drug allergies or medical conditions at present?
To what extent do you use tobacco, recreational drugs, and/or alcohol?
Are you currently taking any medications, herbal supplements, or vitamins?