Body Lift

What is a Body lift?

 When the tissues in the body lose their elasticity it results in sagging and dropping of skin. If this is occurring it may be a good time for you to consider a body lift to correct this. Body lift is a surgical procedure aimed at reshaping and toning the abdomen, thighs, buttocks and breast. It can be divided generally into two procedures: Lower Body Lift known as Belt Lipectomy and Upper Body Lift.  The lower involves the stomach, thighs, back and buttocks while the upper involves the chest, middle back areas and the breast. When both the upper and lower body lift are involved in one procedure then it is called Total Body Lift.

Body lift is a measure that is applied to the treatment of excess skin, sagging tissues, and cellulite. When a mother of 5 kids undergoes these surgeries, she can be pretty sure in getting back her pre pregnancy figure.

Are you a candidate for Body Lift?

To undergo a Body Lift surgery you must have lived a stable life for at least a period of approximately 3 months; it is preferable if the stable period has been for as long as one year. It's recommended that the patient engage in daily exercises so prior to the surgery you are fit as you can be. If you just had a gastric bypass surgery or related surgery, you must wait a period of at least one year before considering a body lift surgery. It is advisable for child bearing women to delay until they are no longer bearing children before deciding to undergo body lifting surgery.

What to expect when undergoing Body Lift Surgery

1.  The operation takes a period of four to seven hours.

2.  It is carried out with the patient under a general anesthesia.

3.  A lower body lift begins with a belt like cutting of the thighs and buttocks.

4.  This area will be sutured and the tummy tuck can then proceed.

5.  The next incision is made in the pubic area and the excess fat lying below the belly button is removed.

6.  The skin between the rib cage and belly button is replaced and sutured.

7.  Any remaining fat left is sutured.

8.  Upper body lift starts with the cutting of the bra-line.

9.  Any skin or excess fat under the breast and the rib cage is removed.

10. The skin is then sutured and bandaged.

Risks you are exposed to

Like every surgery there are risks involved and they include scarring, excessive bleeding and infection.

Post treatment care.

Ensure that you follow the care prescribed by your doctor - it's vital. If you observe difficulty in your breathing, unusual pain contact or anything deemed out of the ordinary your doctor immediately. 

Results

The result of the surgery is visible immediately, there will be scars left from the areas that underwent incision. But with time this scars will fade away.

Questions to Ask your Plastic Surgeon

1.  What are the risks that are involved with a BodyLift?

2.  What is the procedure like?

3.  Can I see before and after pictures of previous surgeries?

4.  How soon will you be able to resume your normal activities?

5.  Would my health care plan pay or reimburse the expenses?

6.  Where and how will you perform my surgery?

7.  What are the risks associated with this procedure?

8.  Where will I be transferred to after surgery?

9.  Will I be given medication after surgery? What kind? 

10. What is the removal process for dressings, bandages and/or stitches? 

11. When do I return for my follow-up visit?