A body lift is a surgical procedure that improves the tone and shape of a body that has excessive loose skin. This is done by tightening the underlying tissues that support the fat and skin. This excess skin can be caused by the natural aging process where the skin loses its elasticity and it can also be caused by a significant amount of weight loss.
A body lift is good to treat the following areas:
- The abdominal area
- Flanks and lower back area
- The Buttocks
- Thighs including both the inner and outer thigh area
When there is excess fat still present, a liposuction procedure can be used to remove the excess fat while the body lift will tighten and smooth the skin.
Body Lift Procedure
A body lift procedure will involve the use of many incisions. The incision length and placement will all depend upon the amount of excess skin and its location. Dr. Jacono's board certified plastic surgery associates use advanced techniques that places the incisions in strategic locations so that they may be hidden by clothing and swimsuits.
The procedure is performed under local anesthesia or intravenous sedation.
Lower Body Lift
A lower body lift or a belt lipectomy is a commonly performed procedure for patients who have experienced a large amount of weight through bariatric surgery or other means. When a large amount of weight is lost in this fashion, a good amount of sagging loose skin through the abdomen, buttocks, and thigh area will be present. This can lead to some medical issues such as skin infections, chaffing, and in some cases, mobility issues.
Our surgeons will perform the lower body lift by removing the sagging skin from the back, the thighs, and the buttocks. This is an extensive procedure but the results will be worth it.
Upper Body Lift
An upper body lift varies based on each patient's needs but generally involves an arm lift combined with a breast lift. In some cases, a breast lift with augmentation will be performed to add lost volume and firmness to the breasts. Just like the lower body lift, the excess skin is removed through incisions and we will recontour the underlying tissue. The remaining skin is then pulled to tighten it and then the incisions are closed with sutures.
Body Lift Recovery
Recovery from a body lift can take several months to fully recover and it is recommended that patients recovering from a body lift should take at least two to three weeks off from work or any other obligation they may have. Some patients experience some discomfort or pain during this period of the recovery. Typically, most patients will see around 75% of the swelling go down within the first six weeks of recovery time and roughly 95% of the swelling go down within the first 3 months.
A compression garment is usually required to be worn depending upon what procedures are performed during the body lift. We also encourages that patients refrain from any strenuous activities or heavy lifting for at least three weeks.
Body Lift Candidates
Men and women who are in generally good physical health and significant loose skin and soft tissue in multiple body areas may be a good candidate for a body lift. Candidates should have realistic goals and expectations for their surgical outcomes. During your consultation, you should discuss what your goals are and we can determine what is the best procedure for you and those goals.
To learn more about the body lift procedure or to schedule a consultation, please call our New York office at 212-570-2500 or our Long Island location at 516-773-4646. You can also fill out an online contact form and one of our customer care specialists will be able to assist you in making your appointment.