A well-toned body with smooth contours often is a sign of fitness that is achieved through healthy diet and exercise. But exercise cannot always achieve results for individuals who have loose, sagging skin and uneven contours. Aging, pregnancy, and significant changes in weight, as well as genetic factors, may contribute to poor tissue elasticity and can result in sagging of the abdomen, buttocks, thights and loose upper arms.
If you desire a firmer, more youthful-looking body contour, then a surgical body lift may help achieve your goals.. In general, a body lift reduces excess fat and skin resulting in smoother skin and contours. These physical changes to the body can improve your body image and enhance self-confidence.
A body lift is surgery performed to correct excess loose and saggin skin and irregular contours of the:
• Abdominal area, locally or extending around the sides and into the back area
• Buttocks, that may be low, flat or shaped unevenly
• Groin that may sag into the inner thigh
• Thigh, including the inner, outer or posterior thigh, or circumferentially
• Upper arms, including the armpit region
Surgical body lifting improves the shape and tone of the underlying tissue that supports fat and skin. Additionally, a body lift can improve a dimpled, irregular skin surface, commonly known as cellulite.
Body lifts are not intended strictly for the removal of excess fat. Liposuction alone can remove excess fat deposits where skin has good elasticity and is able to naturally conform to new body contours. In cases where skin elasticity is poor, a combination of liposuction and body lift techniques may be recommended.
Body lifting procedures may be appropriate for patients who are of stable weight that is reasonably proportionate with their height. There is no other method of body contouring that can restore body shape and skin appearance as well body lift procedures. Body lift procedures may be performed on adults of any age who have realistic goals in mind for improvement of their body contour. Good candidates are:
• Individuals with significant soft tissue looseness in one or multiple body areas
• Healthy individuals who do not have medical conditions that can impair healing or increase risk of surgery
• Non-smokers
• Individuals with a positive outlook and specific goals in mind for body contouring
Your body lift
Your body lift will be individualized to your specific conditions and the regions to be treated. Conditions that mayb be improved by a body lift include:
• Dimpled or uneven soft tissue
• Lax, loose skin
• Excess fat and tissue
• Sagging body contours
Many conditions can contribute to tissue that is weak and lacking in tone or firmness, and to uneven or saggin body contours. These most commonly include:
• Weight changes, especially substantial weight loss, such as occurs following gastric bypass surgery
• Stress on the skin and underlying tissue that may result from pregnancy
• The natural aging process causing skin and tissue to lose elasticity and tone over time
• Sun damage and other environmental factors that contribute to premature aging of the skin
• Heredity or the genetic make-up that determines ones's body type and skin qualities including cellulite
• Childhood and teenage obesity resulting in premature loss of youthful skin tone
There is no other method of body contouring that can restore body shape, skin appearance and skin tone as effectively as a body lift. However, as with any other surgical procedure, body lifts require incisions; in some cases incisions may be extensive. Incision length and pattern depend on the amount and location of excess skin to be removed. In many cases, Dr. Prevel can place incisions in strategic locations where they can be hidden by most types of clothing and swimwear. Other body contouring procedures may be performed separately or in the same surgical session as a body lift, including liposuction and tummy teck, breast lift, or male or female breast reduction. However, not all patients are good candidates for combined procedures. Your case will be evaluated on an individual basis.
Preparing for surgery
Your body lift will be individualized to your specific conditions and the regions to be treated. Conditions that mayb be improved by a body lift include:
• Pre-surgical considerations, diagnostic testing and medications
• Day-of-surgery instructions and medications
• Specific information related to the use of anesthesia
• Postoperative care and follow-up
In addition, you will be asked to sign consent forms to assure your plastic surgeon that you fully understand the procedure or procedures you will undergo and any associated risks or potential complications.
Possible risks of body contouring following major weight loss include bleeding, infection, fluid accumulations, delayed or poor wound healing, skin loss, blood clots, excessive or widened scars, numbness and other changes in skin sensation, and irregular or asymmetric contours or scars. Any surgery carries risks associated with anesthesia. These risks and others will be fully discussed prior to your consent.
It is important that you address all your questions directly with your plastic surgeon. It is natural to feel some anxiety, whether excitement for the anticipated outcomes or preoperative stress. Discuss these feelings with your plastic surgeon.
What to expect
A body lift may be performed in your plastic surgeon's accredited office-based surgical facility, an ambulatory surgical facility or a hospital, possibly with an overnight hospital stay. Procedures are most commonly performed under general anesthesia, although local anesthesia with sedation may also be used. These decisions will be based on the requirements of your specific procedure and considerations of patient and surgeon preference. Dr. Prevel and the assisting staff will fully attend to your comfort and safety.
Following surgery
Once your procedure(s) are completed, dressing or bandages may be applied to your incisions. Areas of the body that have been treated may be wrapped in an elastic bandage to minimize swelling and to support your new contours as you heal. Small, thin tubes may be temporarily placed under the skin to drain excess fluid or blood that may collect. Before you are released, you and an accompanying caregiver will be given specific instructions that may include:
• How to care for the surgical site and drains
• Medications to apply or take orally to aid healing and reduce the potential for infection
• Specific concerns to look for at the surgical site or in your general health
• When to follow up with Dr. Prevel
Progress and healing
Initial healing will include swelling at the incision sites. Discomfort is common and can be controlled with medication. You will be instructed to return to light walking as soon as possible to minimize the potential for blood clots and other complications.
In many cases, you will be instructed to avoid bending, straining or lifting for several days to weeks. Where tightening of the abdomen or thighs is involved, your plastic surgeon may also instruct you to avoid standing fully upright and stressing any internal sutures as they heal, and to sleep with pillows elevating your knees. Follow all instructions carefully -- this is essential to the success of your outcome.
Initial wound healing may take 7 to 14 days, after which time sutures will be removed if necessary. You will be ready to return to work and normal activity in a few weeks, so long as you do not engage in any heavy lifting or vigorous exercise.
Healing will continue for many weeks as swelling resolves and incision lines continue to improve. Numbness and a firm feeling over the skin's surface will improve over time. You must practice diligent sun protection until the healing process is fully complete. Continue to follow Dr. Prevel's instructions and attend follow-up visits as scheduled.
Results and outlook
The results of a body lift are visible almost immediately; however, it may take several months for the final results to fully develop. Numbness and a firm feeling over the skin's surface will resolve over time. It may take a year or more for incision lines to refine and fade to some degree. As your body ages, it is natural to lose some firmness. However, most of your initial improvement should be relatively permanent.
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