Is Body Lift Surgery For You? What You Need To Know

Who Should Get a Body Lift Surgery?

If you recently lost a lot of weight and are now struggling with a lot of excess skin, then you are an ideal candidate for a body lift surgery.

However, you must also make sure that you:

• are not pregnant
• do not smoke
• have no medical condition that can affect the healing process
• are healthy enough to undergo an invasive cosmetic surgery
• are not allergic to anesthesia
• have no health issues that can increase the risk of surgical complications
• have a stable body weight
• can commit to leading a healthy lifestyle

What to Expect During a Body Lift Procedure

A body lift surgery can be pretty complicated depending on the location and amount of excess skin that will be removed. As mentioned, it involves making incisions and cutting the excess skin before stitching it back up. So naturally, the entire process can take hours.

First, your surgeon will administer anesthesia. You can opt for either intravenous sedation or general anesthesia. Though, in most cases, your surgeon will recommend the most suitable for you.

Once the anesthesia takes effect, your surgeon will start the incision. The pattern and length of the incisions will depend on the area being treated. If you’re going for a complete lower-body lift, there will be two sets of incisions. 

The first set will be similar in pattern to a bikini. This will tighten and lift the buttocks, waist, groin, abdomen, and thighs. The second set will be made around your back and lower abdomen. This removes the apron of fat and excess skin to tighten the tissues in that particular area.

If your surgery includes liposuction, this is the part where your surgeon will perform this procedure.

After removing all the excess fat and skin, your surgeon will close the incisions. A combination of sutures, tapes, clips, or skin adhesives will be used for this. The deep sutures will keep the tissues in place and maintain the newly-shaped contours.

Though the surgery usually takes just a few hours, you’ll need to stay in the hospital for one to two nights. This procedure is also done in stages over a span of a few years. So, typically, only one to two areas of the body are treated at any one time. 

Results

As mentioned, body lift surgery offers immediate results. You can immediately notice a significant difference in your body contours. All that excess flab will be gone too and your lower body will look more “lifted”.

However, it can take one to two years for the sutures to fully heal and the final results to be visible.

Recovery Time

Since the procedure is invasive, the recovery time can take weeks to a few months. Strenuous activities should be avoided for 4 to 6 weeks after the procedure. Though some patients can already perform non-strenuous work after only 2 to 3 weeks.

During your recovery period, expect the treatment area to be covered in dressings and bandages. Microtubes may also be temporarily inserted under the skin to drain any excess blood. You’ll also have to periodically go back to your surgeon for follow-up sessions.

How Much Does It Cost?

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average cost of a body lift surgery in the US is around $7,924. But this can vary depending on various factors like:

• your location
• the type and complexity of the procedure
• the experience and reputation of your plastic surgeon

In addition to the cost mentioned above, you’ll also have to pay for:

• medical tests
• anesthesia
• facility costs
• prescription medications

Most cosmetic procedures like body lift surgery aren’t covered by insurance. However, many plastic surgeons offer financing plans.

Is It For You?

Unlike fat, excess sin isn’t something you can get rid of with proper diet and exercise. So if you’re tired of dealing with all those extra pounds of skin hanging off your abdomen and want to get back your natural contours, getting a body lift surgery will probably be one of the best decisions you’ll ever make.

However, you must also remember that this is an invasive procedure. It involves lots of needles, cutting, and suturing. So if you’re not comfortable with all that or your pain threshold is pretty low, you should talk to your plastic surgeon first to set your expectations straight.