What is a Body Lift?
Major weight loss, pregnancy or aging can leave behind substantial folds of skin and resistant fat. A body lift is performed to contour the body by removing excess skin and fatty deposits from the buttocks and abdomen. This procedure may also be referred to as a “360 body lift,” “lower body lift,” or “post-bariatric surgery” and is often performed alongside other body contouring procedures such as a thigh lift, tummy tuck, or arm lift.
Who is a Good Candidate for a Body Lift?
Most patients who have excess skin or fat are good candidates for a body lift. This typically applies to patients who have lost a significant amount of weight, resulting in loose skin throughout the body. Before undergoing a body lift surgery, you should be at a healthy and stable weight. You should also be healthy overall, as certain conditions can interfere with healing or make surgery dangerous. During your consultation, you should share your health history and any medications or supplements you take with Dr. Maxwell so she can confirm that body lift surgery is safe and suitable for you. Before choosing surgery, you should also have reasonable expectations for your results, including understanding that you will have a scar from incisions. During a consultation, Dr. Maxwell will explain the results that you can expect from your body lift.
Anesthesia and Sedation
A body lift is completed under general anesthesia to ensure you are completely unconscious throughout the procedure.
Incision and Skin Removal
Dr. Maxwell will make a horizontal incision around the lower torso, similar to a tummy tuck incision but extending around the sides of the body. The length of this incision can vary depending on the amount of loose skin that must be removed to achieve your desired results.
Excess Skin and Fat Removal
Dr. Maxwell will remove excess skin or fat and reshape the tissues to achieve the desired body contour. This step is crucial for creating a smoother and more toned appearance.
Closure and Recovery
Once the excess skin and fat are removed and the tissues reshaped, Dr. Maxwell will close the incisions using sutures. Dressings and compression garments will be placed to assist in healing and help maintain the new body contour.
Body Lift Recovery and Results
After your body lift, you can expect swelling and some discomfort. You will be prescribed pain medication to keep you comfortable and should wear your compression garments as instructed to help reduce swelling and encourage proper healing. You may also have drains in place; if this is the case, Dr. Maxwell will give you instructions to care for them. Overall, recovery time is just 10-14 days. After this time, most patients are ready to return to their normal routines, assuming that their work is non-strenuous. During post-operative appointments, Dr. Maxwell will monitor your healing progress and let you know when you can safely return to strenuous activities like your exercise routine and when you can expect to see final results as all residual swelling subsides. When the healing process is totally complete, you can expect to drop a dress size, look great in your favorite clothes, and feel terrific.