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Your Guide to Body Lift Surgery

What is a Body Lift?

Many people who lose a significant amount of weight through bariatric surgery, after pregnancy, or regular diet and exercise are left with loose skin and stubborn fat deposits on several parts of their body. Body lift surgery addresses loose, hanging skin that exists as a result of significant weight loss, pregnancy, aging, genetic factors, or sun damage. It is an effective plastic surgery procedure that tightens and sculpts your body three dimensionally, creating a smoother contour and renewed self-confidence. 

Good Candidates for Body Lift Surgery

Before deciding to undergo body lift surgery, you should maintain a stable weight for around a year. Women considering future pregnancies also should postpone a body lift since pregnancy can reduce the procedure’s overall effectiveness. You may be an ideal candidate for body lift surgery if: 

  • You are at least 3 months post pregnancy and/or breastfeeding
  • You had bariatric surgery or lost a significant amount of weight
  • You have sagging skin, fat, and tissue in one or multiple areas
  • You do not have any medical conditions that can impair healing or increase the risk of surgery
  • You have a positive outlook and realistic expectations for what body lift surgery can accomplish
  • You do not smoke
  • You are committed to leading a healthy lifestyle with proper nutrition and fitness

What to Expect During a Consultation

During your body lift consultation, Dr. Spiro will answer any questions you may have so you fully understand all aspects of the procedure. Be prepared to discuss the following:

  • Your surgical goals
  • Current medications
  • Medical conditions and drug allergies
  • Previous surgeries

Dr. Spiro and his team will also evaluate your general health status and any pre-existing health conditions or risk factors, as well as: 

  • Take detailed body measurements
  • Take photographs
  • Discuss your body lift options
  • Discuss likely outcomes and any risks or potential complications

How Much Does a Body Lift Cost?

You will receive an estimate for your body lift surgery during the initial consultation, based on the type of procedure and your individual goals. While most health insurance plans do not cover body lifts, Dr. Spiro offers financing plans and payment options to help you pay for surgery. Body lift costs may include:

  • Anesthesia fees
  • Hospital fees
  • Surgeon’s fee
  • Medical tests
  • Post-surgical garments
  • Prescriptions for medication
  • Type of body lift surgery

Body Lift Preparation

Dr. Spiro will provide you with preoperative instructions to prepare for body lift surgery to ensure the best possible outcome. Before your surgery, he may also ask you to: 

  • Get lab testing or a medical evaluation
  • Take certain medications or adjust current medications
  • Stop smoking
  • Stop taking ADHD medications
  • Avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, and herbal supplements that can increase bleeding

Our body lift procedures are performed at the hospital and require a 24 – 48 hour overnight stay. You will need to arrange for someone to drive you to and from surgery. They should also stay with you for at least 72 hours following surgery.  

Body Lift Procedure

On the day of your surgery, our team will administer general anesthesia for your comfort during the procedure. Dr. Spiro will make incisions around the body to remove loose skin and fat, repositioning and tightening tissues in the abdomen, waist, buttocks, and thighs. The 3D incision length and pattern depend on the amount and location of the excess skin removal. Then, incisions are closed with deep sutures in the underlying tissue to help form and support the newly shaped contours. It may be necessary to perform skin reduction in stages since only one or two areas are treated at a time. Some patients may be able to combine breast surgery in the same procedure to make it a true mommy makeover. 

What is Included in a Body Lift?

Depending on the location of the excess skin, patients may choose to have an upper or lower body lift. For patients with a significant amount of extra skin throughout the midsection, upper body, and lower body a full or total body lift may be the best option.

Lower Body Lift

A lower body lift targets excess, loose skin in the lower extremities, including the flanks, hips, thighs, waist, and buttocks through a butt lift, thigh lift, and tummy tuck

Upper Body Lift

Upper body lift surgery targets loose and sagging skin in the upper body, which may include an upper arm liftbreast liftliposuction, or surgery to remove fat rolls along the back (back lift). 

Full Body Lift

A full body lift combines upper and lower body lift procedures to address your arms, breasts, abdomen, hips, thighs, and buttocks to remove excess skin in those areas. The procedures usually are performed several months apart to give you time to heal in between surgeries. 

How Much Weight Will I Lose Following a Body Lift?

Body lift procedures can result in weight loss, but the exact amount depends on the particular procedures performed during surgery. In some cases, a body lift may remove up to 10 pounds for a patient who has a large amount of excess skin after losing a significant amount of weight. 

Recovery Time for Body Lift

Body lift recovery time depends on the extent of the surgery, but most patients may return to normal activities within four weeks. After your procedure, dressings or bandages are applied to the incisions, and small tubes are temporarily placed under the skin to drain excess fluid. Dr. Spiro will provide postoperative instructions that may include: 

  • How to care for your incision(s) following surgery
  • Medications to apply or take orally to aid healing
  • Specific concerns to look out for 
  • How to care for your drains
  • When to schedule a follow-up appointment

Dr. Spiro may also provide you with a medical compression garment to wear at all times, except while showering. Surgical dressings or bandages are generally removed two days after surgery, and showering is allowed at that time. 

Body Lift Results

The results of body lift surgery are visible almost immediately. However, the final results won’t be apparent until your swelling goes down within six weeks. Some scarring will remain, but the overall results are long-lasting through maintaining a stable weight and exercise. 

Body Lift Before and After

Check out before and after photos of our body lift procedures performed by Dr. Spiro to view stunning transformations from our patients.

Schedule a Body Lift Consultation with Dr. Spiro

Dr. Spiro is a board-certified plastic surgeon at Spiro Plastic Surgery, specializing in total body lift procedures. He uses the latest technology and techniques to achieve natural-looking results for every patient based on their lifestyle and desired goals. If you want to transform your body and improve your figure, request a consultation for body lift surgery today.

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Graphite/Pencil Hybrid-Painting by Dr. Scott Spiro