If you have experienced extreme weight loss or undergone a liposuction procedure, there might be a possibility that you’re struggling with droopy or sagging skin on different parts of your body, particularly the middle section.

It is common for patients who do not have the ideal skin type to undergo liposuction and experience wrinkling and laxity of skin post operation. The appearance of these excess fat deposits can make you feel conscious about your appearance and also cause general discomfort.

A body lift surgery can help you achieve your desired body contours after a liposuction procedure. It will help in shaping the abdominal area, lateral thighs, buttocks, and waist.

What Is a Body Lift?

A body lift is a procedure that helps in improving the tone and shape of the core tissue that supports skin and fat. It gets rid of the excess sagging skin and fat, and it improves an irregular and wrinkled skin surface, commonly known as cellulite. The body lift procedure usually includes the following areas:

  • Abdomen
  • Thighs
  • Buttocks
  • Groin

When skin is stretched for an extended period of time, it can lose its elasticity and begin to sag. Very often, it is unable to naturally shrink back and restore its original size, tone, and shape. Furthermore, excess skin may have the impact more than just your looks. It can restrict mobility and cause sores and rashes that could result in infections.

The Procedure

A body lift procedure usually requires widespread incisions. The pattern and length of the incisions depend on the location and amount of excessive skin that needs to be removed. A common technique used for a lower body lift makes use of incisions that resemble a bikini pattern.

It is helpful in tightening the abdomen, waist, buttocks, thighs, and groin in a single procedure. Your surgeon may make a circumferential incision for removing a layer of extra fat and skin while tightening and repositioning tissues.

General anesthesia is typically administered by a board-certfied anesthesiologist for a body lift procedure. Your surgeon will stitch up the incisions using deep sutures, clips, tapes or skin adhesives.

It is possible to see the results of this procedure almost immediately. However it may take a couple of months to notice the final results (depending on each individual case). The results of a body lift surgery are usually long-lasting if you continue to maintain a stable body weight through exercise and diet.

Recovery

The surgeon will likely apply bandages or dressings to your incisions after the body lift procedure is completed. Your doctor may also place thin, small tubes under your skin for draining out any excess fluids that might build up.

Your doctor will give you specific instructions for taking care of the surgical site and may prescribe medications that need to be either applied or taken orally. These will help support healing and also minimize infection risk. You will be required to visit your doctor for a follow-up to ensure that the healing is in order.

Contact Our Office

To learn more about the procedure, contact the Plastic Surgery Institute of Dayton to set up a consultation. Our surgeons are highly skilled and ready to assist you from start to finish.