Whether you’ve lost a significant amount of weight as a result of a change in diet and exercise, or a bariatric surgery, you may be suffering from loose, or hanging skin on certain areas of your body. This extra skin may cause you to be self-conscious, making it difficult to embrace your new body.
A body lift is a plastic surgery procedure that removes excess sagging skin and fat to improve the shape of your body, tone the underlying tissue supporting your skin and fat, and create a smoother, lifted look.
SHOULD I GET A BODY LIFT?
While you may undergo a body lift to remove excess skin and tone your figure, this procedure is invasive, so it’s important to ensure you’re a proper candidate.
Ideally, this means:
- •You have excess skin on one or many areas of your body.
- •You’ve maintained a stable weight and will be able to do so in the future, since fluctuations in weight can undo the results of a body lift.
- •You don’t plan on getting pregnant; this can also undo your body lift’s results.
- •You understand the procedure and have a realistic goal of what a body lift can do for you.
- •You’re a non-smoker.
WHICH BODY LIFT IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
Similar to most plastic surgery procedures, the type of body lift you receive can be customized, depending on the location of your excess skin. Typically, a patient can choose a specific area and undergo an upper, mid, or lower body lift, or a combination of the three, for a full body lift.
UPPER BODY LIFT
An upper body lift, or body lift or back lift, primarily focuses on the top half of your body. It can include an upper arm lift, breast lift, and/or procedure to remove fat located on your back. This procedure corrects loose, sagging skin on your upper body.
MID BODY LIFT
A mid body lift, torsoplasty, treats the abdominal region in addition to the thighs, hips, and buttocks targeted during the lower body lift. It focuses on your relaxed abdominal wall muscles, which creates a more toned look, while lifting areas of your lower body.
LOWER BODY LIFT
A lower body lift, or belt lipectomy, tightens and sculpts your buttocks, inner back, outer thighs, and hips. It can improve areas where you have excess, sagging skin and cellulite, while lifting your buttocks.
TOTAL BODY LIFT
This procedure targets—yup you guessed it, your entire body, making it the perfect surgery for patients who have lost excessive amounts of weight and resulting loss of skin elasticity on their entire body. It will remove or tighten excess skin, cellulite and sagging fatty tissue, giving you the results you’ve worked hard to achieve.
THE COST OF EACH TYPE OF BODY LIFT
It’s important to note that the price of your body lift surgery depends on a variety of factors, including:
- •Geographic location
- •Your surgeon’s qualifications and what they choose to charge.
- •Whether or not you’re getting any other procedures in addition to a body lift. For example, some people choose to get a liposuction first.
- •The type of anesthesia you receive
- •Operating room costs
- •Your lab tests, medications and post-operative compression garments
- •Your insurance coverage
Since body lifts are customized, costs can vary greatly. Less-complex surgeries such as lower, upper, and mid body lifts are less expensive than more complex surgeries, such as a full body lift.
THE PROCEDURE
Body lift procedures require long incisions, dependent upon the areas treated and amount of excess skin to be removed, in addition to expert surgical judgment. Incisions are typically strategically placed in locations that can be hidden by most clothing and swimsuits, so you won’t have to worry about scars
RESULTS
This is an extensive surgery, and its results will be visible immediately. You will notice the shape and tone of the tissue supporting your skin has changed, revealing a more lifted and contoured body figure. Results should be long-lasting, providing you maintain your weight and a healthy lifestyle.
BODY LIFT RECOVERY
Since this is an invasive surgery, there will be a significant amount of recovery time, so you should expect to take time off from work. However, your recovery time will depend on the type of lift you’ve received.
Your surgeon will outline a specialized recovery plan based off your unique procedure, which will include the proper pain-relief medicine and compression garments. You’ll also have to avoid lifting heavy items and exercise.