Body Lift Surgery

Body lifts are a plastic surgery procedure that's purpose is to tighten, tone, and lift the abdomen, buttocks, breasts, and thighs.

What is body lift surgery?

• A lower body lift is referred to as a belt lipectomy.
• Belt lipectomies are focused on toning the lower areas of the body.
• For instance, if you are looking to tighten your tummy, buttocks, thighs, or back, a belt lipectomy would be the ideal choice for you.
• An upper body lift involves the breasts, chest, and the mid back.
• If a patient decides to have both upper and lower lifts done it is considered a total body lift.

What is involved?

• This procedure is carried out in a hospital environment with at least a 2 night stay.
• The body lift surgery takes about four to seven hours to complete while the patient is asleep using either an IV sedation or general anaesthesia.
• A lower body lift begins with the surgeon creating a belt-like incision above the buttocks and outer thighs.
• Your surgeon may decide to further separate the thigh skin to help with your unique procedure.
• The surgeon will then suture this area and begin performing a tummy tuck, also known as an abdominoplasty.
• The next part of the surgical procedure involves a horizontal incision made along the pubic line area, followed by the removal of fatty tissues from the belly button and further downward.
• Next, your surgeon will remove any excess fat from these areas using liposuction.
• The surgeon will then tighten the muscles in this area after the excess skin is detached.
• The remaining skin is then repositioned and sutured at the pubic line area.
• The upper body lift is similar, except that the incision is made on the bra-line.
• The back fat rolls will be removed and the waist will be toned using similar procedures as the lower body lift.

Your Recovery

• Body lifts are major surgical procedures and they require a significant amount of time to fully recover.
• Every individual is different when it comes to their unique recovery time, however the average time for recovery is four to six weeks.
• Pain and discomfort following the surgery will initially be maintained by intravenous medication and later treated with oral medication.
• A complete list of follow-up instructions will be given to you by your surgeon.
• Drainage tubes will be inserted during your body lift procedure and these must be taken care of and kept clean at all times for up to two weeks.
• The tubes will be safely removed when the drainage fluid that is coming out is low.
• Normal and strenuous activities should be avoided until you are fully recovered from your procedure.
• It is advised to allow four to six weeks to recover, but six to eight weeks before embarking on any strenuous activities such as exercising.

Your Results

• Final results from your body lift procedure will show completely once the scars have matured fully around the sixth month mark after your surgery.
• Every individual is different when it comes to scarring and some report that their scars fade faster than what others might.
• Your body lift results will last for quite some time.
• However, maintaining a healthy diet and doing routine exercises will improve the results your body lift will give you over time.