Body Lift and Thigh Lift
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.
The Body Lift Procedure
A body lift is completed under general anesthesia. First, Dr. Maxwell will make a horizontal incision around the lower torso, similar to the incision made to complete a tummy tuck 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 results. Dr. Maxwell will then remove excess skin or fat and reshape the tissues for the desired body contour. When these steps are complete, she can then close the incisions using sutures and place dressings and compression garments.
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.
Schedule a Consultation
To learn more about the body lift procedure and find out if you are a good candidate, schedule a consultation at Maxwell Aesthetics in Tucson. Call our office at (520) 751-1225 or contact us online.