Types of Body Lift Surgery

Whoever went through bariatric surgery or a strict diet and exercise to lose weight should feel proud and pleased with the results. Losing weight is by no means easy and requires discipline and many sacrifices. Unfortunately, weight loss quite often comes with some unwanted results such as loose and sagging skin. That’s why many people opt for body lift surgery, a procedure meant to correct the flaws in the body. 

Body lift surgery in Phoenix is a procedure in high demand in the last couple of years. It’s meant to address loose, hanging skin that comes from massive weight loss, pregnancy, or other causes. Body lift surgery raises, firms, and tightens the skin in different body areas, allowing patients to restore their look and feel more confident about themselves. 

Although body lift surgery is widely and often performed, many people still don’t know much about it. That’s why we composed the following article. In it, you will find out more about why and how the procedure is performed, as well as some main facts about different types of body lift surgeries

What is a Body Lift Surgery?

A body lift is a form of plastic surgery that improves the shape and tone of the body by removing excess skin and underlying fat. The excess fat and skin are often results of poor tissue elasticity and significant weight loss. People who have undergone bariatric surgery or a strict diet to reduce weight are frequently left with large amounts of loose skin around the abdomen, arms, thigs, breasts, and buttocks. Body lift is there to treat these areas and remove any excess skin, cellulite, and sagging tissue that might influence the health of patients and their overall satisfaction with body aesthetics. 

It’s not uncommon for people to feel uncomfortable in their bodies and experience a lack of self-love and confidence because of skin issues. That’s why a body lift is more than just a procedure meant to make the body more beautiful. It’s also a path to feeling better about yourself and improving the overall life quality. A body lift resolves health problems such as limited mobility, infections, rashes, and sores, as well as negative feelings in patients. 

Who is a Good Candidate for a Body Lift Surgery?

Everyone who is in good physical health is a good candidate for body lift surgery. If you have lost a lot of weight and have loose, sagging skin, you will benefit from the procedure. Regardless of the reasons behind the body change (e.g. pregnancy, bariatric surgery, and more), body lift surgery will provide the much-needed makeover. You only need to be healthy and mentally ready to undergo surgery. Having a positive attitude is just as important as having a strong and healthy body. 

Your surgeon will know whether a body lift is something you should do or not. He or she will run the necessary tests to determine your overall health condition and advise you adequately. Remember, no one knows better what’s good for your body than your doctor, so take your surgeon’s advice seriously. 

Body Lift Surgery Risks

A body lift can be quite a demanding surgery and bring some health risks to the patients. You will have to decide whether the benefits of body lift surgery go beyond the potential risks of complications that come with it. Your plastic surgeon will explain in detail all the risks that come with a body lift, but we will list some of the health dangers above just to give you a basic sense of what to expect. 

  • Infection
  • Fluid accumulation
  • Bleeding (hematoma)
  • Changes in skin sensation
  • Persistent pain
  • Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary complications
  • Scarring 
  • Skin or fat necrosis
  • Recurrent skin looseness and sagging

As we already said, you will have the chance to talk in detail about each one of these risks with your surgeon. If you find them acceptable, you will sign consent forms to ensure you fully understand the procedure and are willing to undergo surgery despite the risks of complications. 

Types of Body Lifts

There are three main types of body lift surgery: upper body lift, mid-body lift, and lower body lift. Take a look at the information provided below about each one of them. It might help you find the one you need and decide whether that’s something you would want for your body in the first place. 

Upper Body Lift

Upper body lift surgery consists of several procedures meant to remove excess skin in the topmost part of the human body. These often include an upper arm lift, breast lift, or back lift. Loose skin in these areas is removed during the upper body lift surgery to create a tighter and smoother body contour.  

Depending on the patient’s needs and requirements, loose and sagging skin is removed from either the upper back, side of the chest, or side of the body. This can significantly improve body appearance, affect positively patients’ emotions, and change the way clothing fits, especially for women. Excess skin around breasts can make wearing bras more difficult and cause increased discomfort. Upper body lift surgery is meant to fix these issues and improve the appearance of the upper body.  

Mid Body Lift

A mid-body lift treats the abdominal region along with the body parts treated by a lower body lift, which we will cover in the next section. The procedure smoothens contours around the abdomen and thighs, making them firmer and flatter. Surgeons recommend a mid-body lift when there’s excess or sagging skin in the abdomen or as an accompanying procedure to a full-body lift

Lower Body Lift

Lower body lift is one of the most popular procedures within the category. It’s because most of the weight loss occurs in the buttocks, hips, and thighs. The excess skin in the lower body area also tends to cause discomfort and limits free movements. That’s why most people decide to go through the lower body lift. 

The procedure itself is less invasive than a full-body lift. It can be partial or full and treat the buttocks, abdomen, waist, hips, and thighs all at once. Therefore, a lower body lift is often part of a mommy makeover. Basically, it includes a tummy tuck, thighs and buttocks tightening, and other similar procedures. 

The main advantage of a lower body lift comes from increased body appearance and more comfort on a daily basis. You can combine procedures such as liposuction and abdominoplasty to achieve the results you always hoped for and make your life better. Liposuction smoothens and contours the lower body areas, and abdominoplasty makes the abdomen firmer and thinner. In general, you can combine several procedures in a body lift, and your surgeon will know which ones are suitable for your situation. 

Preparations for Body Lift Surgery

Once you decide to undergo body lift surgery, your surgeon will help you prepare for the procedure. He or she might make the following suggestions:

  • Eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly to stay fit for the surgery. This is very important because proper weight allows for faster and healthier healing. 
  • Avoid smoking and drinking at least two weeks before surgery to promote faster and proper healing. 
  • Provide information about drugs and supplements you take. Your doctor will check possible interference with medication for surgery and suggest the necessary modifications. 
  • Make sure you have someone to take you home from the hospital and provide support during the recovery process. Depending on the type of body lift surgery, you might need to rest for a couple of weeks. 
  • Follow these and any other suggestions your surgeon might have to avoid longer healing and possible complications after surgery. 

Body Lift Recovery 

Recovery from body lift surgery depends on the type of procedure. In some cases, patients only need to stay in the hospital for several hours or overnight, while in others, doctors recommend a several-day stay to monitor the situation. 

After you get out of the hospital, it will take several weeks to get back to the usual activities. Overall, the recovery time varies depending on the procedure, but most doctors recommend four to six weeks of resting. You might be able to return to your daily activities rather quickly but need to avoid lifting heavy loads and other demanding actions. 

The general recovery guidelines can vary based on the patient’s health and surgery type. Whatever recommendations you get, make sure to follow them all the way through. Your doctor knows what’s best for you and your body. 

The Pros and Cons of Body Lift Surgery

Body lift surgery has many advantages but also comes with some drawbacks. We would like to discuss both sides to give you an accurate view of all the pros and cons of body lift surgery

Pros:

  • You will finally see results after losing a lot of weight. 
  • You will feel better about your body and gain more self-confidence.
  • All body lift surgeries are customized to fit the needs of different patients, which means they provide ultimate results for different bodies. You can be sure that a body lift will give you the results you need. 
  • The recovery time is often short, and you can quickly return to your daily routines. 
  • You will enjoy long-lasting results and only need to maintain your weight further on.

 

Cons:

  • A full-body lift is a beneficial but somewhat expensive procedure. If you’re on a tight budget, you might not be able to afford it or need to go with a more precise surgery (arm or back lift, for example). 
  • A body lift can be time-consuming, and you will need someone to support you during the recovery process. 
  • You might experience some side effects such as swelling and pain. 
  • You will have to exercise regularly and make dietary changes to retain body shape after surgery and avoid creating new sagging skin. 

For most, the pros of body lift surgery outweigh the cons. Still, it’s important to think things through before making a final decision. If you’re not sure about undergoing body lift surgery for any reason at all, a detailed talk with a surgeon will help you decide. Dr. Finkel is there to give you all the necessary information about body lift surgery and advise you on making the best decision for your body. Contact Dr. Finkel today and get a free consultation!