It is used frequently after a massive loss of body weight either from diet or as a result from gastric band surgery. While some areas are affected more than others, skin wrinkling and loss of tone occur throughout the body. To achieve a balanced and pleasing aesthetic result, many patients seeking a tummy tuck may also need both a thigh and buttock lift. Body Lift means cosmetic surgery for more than one areas of the body. Those areas may include the stomach, breast, arms, back, and thighs.
Before The Surgery
Body lift surgery is ideal for those who have lost large amounts of weight and are left with saggy, excessive and unsightly skin. A body lift is for someone who has problems with excess or sagging skin and fat tissue around the thighs, abdomen, buttock and hip area.
What can I expect from a Body Lift?
The result is a tightening of the tissues of the lower back, buttocks, hips, thighs and abdomen all achieved in one procedure.
The Surgery
The surgery is usually carried out in three stages. In the first two stages, the patient is lying on their side. During these stages, skin and fat from the buttocks, hips, back, and thighs are removed from each side. During the last stage, a tummy tuck is performed. By removing all the sagging skin you give a more youthful and smoother appearance. The excess skin is removed using incisions carefully placed so they are hidden under swimwear/underwear. The operation can take from 3-7 hours and is done using a general anaesthetic. All stitches are dissolvable and under the skin, so no suture removal is needed.
After Surgery
A two-to-four day hospital stay is required, with patients resuming normal activities in four-to-six weeks. The incision is a thong bikini line incision around the entire body, producing a scar hidden by most bikini outlines. The scar usually fades substantially over 6-12 months.