Body lift surgery is a procedure that aims to restore or enhance the contours of your body. It can be performed on men and women and can be performed in many different ways, including using fat transfers, skin and fat grafting, and implants. The two basic types of body lift surgery are abdominoplasty, which removes excess fat and skin, and liposuction, which removes excess fat. For many people, body lift surgery is a very effective treatment for reducing excess skin and muscle and improving overall shape. However, body lift surgery is not for everyone.
Before considering this type of surgery, it’s important to discuss your expectations with your doctor and weigh the pros and cons of each option. You should know what impact it might have on your lifestyle (such as how it will affect your ability to exercise or travel). If you decide to have body lift surgery, make sure you choose a qualified surgeon who has experience with this type of procedure.
What Is Body Lift?
Body lift surgery is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that lifts the skin and supports the underlying muscles, tendons, and ligaments. It is one of several cosmetic surgical options for treating sagging skin with excess or redundant fat.
Common reasons for a body lift include:
- Excess belly fat after pregnancy
- Excess skin after weight loss or weight gain
- Excess skin after bariatric surgery, such as gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy
- Excess skin caused by aging or trauma, including burns, sun damage, or stretch marks
What Areas Can A Body Lift Treat?
Body lifts surgery can be performed on almost any part of the body. Because they involve lifting and repositioning the skin, they are a great way to treat a variety of cosmetic concerns, including sagging skin, loose or drooping skin, excess fat, and cellulite. As they lift the skin, body lifts can also help to reduce the appearance of stretch marks and scars.
What Is Included In A Body Lift?
Patients may choose to have an upper or lower body lift depending on the location of the excess skin. In addition to the upper and lower body, patients with a lot of extra skin throughout the midsection and lower body may benefit the most from a full or total body lift.
Lower Body Lift
A lower body lifts targets excess, loose skin in the lower extremities, including the hips, thighs, waist, and buttocks, through a butt lift, thigh lift, and tummy tuck.
Upper Body Lift
An upper body lifts targets loose and saggy tissue in the upper body, including an arm lift, a breast lift, liposuction, or back surgery to remove fat rolls (back lift).
Full Body Lift
To remove excess skin from your arms, breasts, abdomen, hips, thighs, and buttocks, you may consider a full body lifts procedure. The upper and lower body procedures usually are done several months apart, so you have time to heal between surgeries.
Who Are The Best Candidates For Body Lift Surgery?
Body lift surgery is most frequently performed on patients who have lost an extensive amount of weight. Many people who are obese or morbidly obese are candidates for body lift surgery, as the excess skin can cause several problems, including:
- Body contour issues (e.g., large folds of loose hanging skin)
- Skin irritation/traction alopecia (e.g., hair loss)
- Difficulty wearing tight-fitting clothes (e.g., back fat that cannot be tucked into pants)
- Poor self-esteem (e.g., feeling “too big” for one’s clothes)
- By tackling excess skin, body lift surgery offers several cosmetic benefits, including
- A reduction in the appearance of cellulite
- A reduction in excess skin volume and thickness
- Improved self-confidence and self-esteem
After body lift surgery, many patients notice an immediate improvement in their appearance. In addition to removing excess skin, body lift surgery also improves body contour and creates a more defined appearance. Body lift surgery can help you achieve your desired look and feel confident about your new appearance.
What Are The Tips To Decrease Your Chances Of Complications?
If you are considering body lift surgery, there are a few tips that can help you make it through the procedure without any complications.
- First, make sure to take all of your medications exactly as directed by your physician. If you’re taking any blood thinners, don’t stop taking them suddenly.
- Second, you will also need to avoid alcohol, excessive caffeine, and spicy or acidic foods that can affect your blood clotting ability.
- Third, make sure that you drink plenty of water before and after the surgery is completed. It will help keep your body hydrated and prevent dehydration that can lead to other complications.
- Finally, make sure to ask your surgeon about any potential risks before scheduling the procedure. By being aware of these risks ahead of time, you can make an informed decision about whether or not this is right for you.
What’s The Recovery Time For A Body Lift?
The recovery time for body lifts can vary based on the location of the surgery, your pre-existing medical conditions, and other factors. Most patients may return to normal activities within three to four weeks, although it can take longer depending on the extent of damage and how well your body responds to the surgery.
What Results Can You Expect From Body Lift?
The visible results of a body lift surgery occur almost immediately. However, the final results won’t be apparent until your swelling heals. Maintaining a stable weight and exercise can lead to long-term success.
Conclusion
This blog aims to provide prospective body lift patients with in-depth information on the various body lift surgeries and who they will work well for. It is crucial to do research on the specific surgical technique you want to undergo in addition to researching any potential risks of undergoing the procedure. Patients considering Sydney body lift surgery should see a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon for expert advice on the right procedure.