Who is a candidate for a body lift?
Before considering surgery to remove excess skin and to tighten the areas that are bothering you, it is important that you are close to your target body weight, are well nourished and in good health. Smoking is a major concern when performing tightening procedures, so it is imperative that if you are a smoker, that you quit prior to considering surgery. There is no single program that fits the priorities of each patient. We will ask you which areas are causing you the most concern and then develop a safe and reasonable plan to meet your needs in the fewest procedures possible.Often these areas can be treated in one procedure, but sometimes we may recommend a staged approach.
What results can I expect from a body lift?
Body lift procedures result in a tighter and more contoured body with improved balance and proportion. Areas that were irritated from friction and rubbing of the skin will be improved. It will be easier to find clothing that fits well and most patients report a substantial improvement in quality of life, body image and self confidence.
What is involved in a body lift surgery?
The specifics of the procedure will depend on the area being treated. In general, the goals of body lifting are to remove excess skin and fat, tighten underlying structures and to restore more normal balance and shape to the body. Incisions will depend on which areas are being treated. For smaller procedures, surgery can be performed as an outpatient but for larger procedures, an overnight stay will be required. Usually body lift surgery is performed under general anaesthesia.
Complications and Scarring
While body lift surgery requires incisions that result in the placement of scars, we will make every effort to ensure that they can be covered by bathing suits and undergarments. You can discuss the type of scarring you should expect at the time of your consultation. The most common complications of body lifting are haematoma (an accumulation of blood under the skin), numbness of the skin and occasionally, areas of delayed healing . Fortunately, these complications are uncommon. Normal activities can be resumed approximately two weeks after surgery and many people return to work in the third week. It can take 6-12 months to see the final result of body lift surgery, and outcomes can be maximized by continuing to eat healthy, managing weight and having a regular program for exercising and toning.
