A body lift is a cosmetic surgical procedure done to remove excess fat and skin from the lower back, abdomen, and hips. The surgeon will also tighten the abdominal wall muscles and raise the buttocks and outer thighs. The procedure often includes liposuction.
Body lifts are often performed on people who have lost massive amounts of weight but are left with a lot of sagging skin and stubborn fat deposits. Women who have had multiple pregnancies also often find themselves with a lot of stretched-out and loose skin. In addition, skin loses its elasticity as people age, so older clients often have a lot of sagging skin. While liposuction can remove fat deposits, it can’t help patients with sagging skin.
What does the procedure involve?
The patient will be put under general anesthesia or a local anesthetic paired with an intravenous sedative. Our surgeon will then remove fat deposits, often through liposuction, and trim away excess skin. In many cases, they will also perform a tummy tuck and tighten the muscles in the abdominal wall. Our surgeon will also lift the outer thighs and buttocks. They will then tighten the remaining skin and stitch everything closed.
What is the recovery like?
Our surgeon will recommend a recovery plan and suggest that you wear compression garments for a set time to control swelling and help the healing process.
Many patients, depending on their health and the nature of their job, can return to work after their second week. They should not lift anything that weighs more than ten pounds for the first few weeks after the procedure.
Who is a good candidate for a body lift?
The ideal candidate for a body lift will be somebody in good overall health with realistic expectations. They should be at a stable weight for fluctuations can undo the results of the surgery. Patients who have lost a lot of weight should wait about two years before undergoing a body lift. Not only will the wait allow their weight to stabilize, it will also give their skin a chance to mold itself around their new contours.
Contact us today at Body by Bloch in Highland Park to schedule your consultation.
