As more Americans undergo extreme weight loss and bariatric surgery, body lift plastic surgery is becoming more popular. A body lift addresses sagging, loose skin that can occur after losing a lot of weight, while others may have the problem from pregnancy, aging, or sun damage.
A body light removes and tightens the skin in the groin, waist, hips, thighs, abdomen, and flanks. It’s also called a lower body lift or belt lipectomy because the incisions go around your body like a belt.
The remaining tissue is tightened and repositioned to improve the shape and contour of your body.
Please continue reading to learn more about this procedure if you are considering a body lift.
Body Lift Procedure
A body lift is a major surgical procedure that requires several incisions. The incision length and pattern will depend on how much skin is removed and from where. Your surgeon can usually make the incisions in locations where they can be hidden with clothing or bathing suits.
The general steps for a body lift are:
- General or IV sedation: The surgeon will give you anesthesia to put you asleep during the body lift. They will review your medical history, body type, and other factors to decide which type of anesthesia is best.
- Incision: The surgeon may use an incision around your body that removes skin from the abdomen, groin, waist, buttocks, and thighs. They also may use liposuction to remove additional fat for a better contour.
- Closing incisions: They will place deep sutures in the underlying tissues to support and form your new contours. Then, sutures, tapes, clips, and skin adhesives may be used to close the incisions in the skin.
Some patients also have a tummy tuck or Brazilian butt lift as part of their body lift.
Ideal Candidates For A Body Lift
A body lift is a significant procedure, so it’s essential to know when you should consider it. Body lifts are usually done on patients with a lot of sagging and loose skin in several body parts on the legs and torso.
The goal is to make the body look more ‘normal’ after losing skin elasticity because of age or extreme weight loss. But remember that a body lift cannot remove a significant amount of fat, so your body weight should be stable before having the procedure.
Liposuction may be an option if you still have small amounts of fat that you cannot eliminate and you’re near your ideal body weight.
Ideal candidates for this procedure don’t smoke and are in good overall health. It’s essential to keep a stable weight after a body lift, which means eating right and exercising.
Women who want to get pregnant should wait on having this procedure because pregnancy may undo your results in the abdomen.
Body Lift Downtime And Recovery
After the body lift, you will be taken to the recovery area and monitored by the medical team. Some body lifts are done outpatient, but you’ll probably stay overnight in the hospital. If you are allowed to go home the same day, you will need someone to stay overnight with you.
Recovery time depends on how much tissue is removed, but this is a serious procedure that requires extensive rest and recovery.
Some surgeons say you should set aside four to six weeks before going back to work outside the home. You’ll also need to take a break for six to eight weeks from exercise. It’s important to talk to your surgeon about how long you will need to limit activities, so you are prepared.
There will be extensive swelling during the first few weeks, but this should subside after four to six weeks. However, there will be residual swelling that can take up to a year to fade, so it’s essential to be patient.
Your new shape and appearance should be permanent if you don’t gain or lose a lot of weight. Scars go all around the body, but the surgeon will make them as difficult to see as possible. The scars will be evident at first but fade after one or two years.
Body Lift Considerations
Pros and cons of a body lift include:
Pros
- A body lift is the only option to remove a lot of loose skin after you lose a massive amount of weight. Diet, exercise, and even liposuction will not eliminate all loose skin.
- Most patients report having higher self-esteem and self-confidence after this procedure.
- You will notice results right away, and your clothing will fit better.
- A body lift can eliminate stretch marks from weight gain and loss.
Cons
- Recovery time from the procedure can be extensive because of the large amount of tissue removed.
- Complication rates are higher than other procedures, including infection and blood loss.
- There will be extensive scarring, but they will fade with time.
- Removing skin from the bottom can flatten the buttocks, so a Brazilian butt lift may be needed.
A body lift can make a huge difference in the life of someone who has had significant weight loss and is near their goal weight. If you are in good health, talk to your surgeon about a body lift today.
Request A Body Lift Consultation
Thinking about a body lift in Beverly Hills? Dr. Nicholas Lahar is pleased to provide plastic surgery procedures to his Beverly Hills patients. He will discuss your aesthetic goals during your consultation and help you decide if you are a good candidate for a body lift.
References
Body Lift Overview. (n.d.). Accessed at https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/body-lift
What Is A Body Lift? (2020). Accessed at https://www.realself.com/surgical/body-lift
Body Lift Surgery – What You Need To Know. (2021). Accessed at https://www.verywellhealth.com/body-lift-surgery-what-you-need-to-know-2709984
