Body Lift

• Stomach, waist, sides and lower back area
• Buttocks
• Inner, outer and rear thighs
• Upper arms

The body lift is a composition of several surgical procedures, including the abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) and liposuction. For women who are also interested in either a breast augmentation, breast lift or reduction, a Mommy Makeover may be more appropriate. Your doctor can recommend the best procedure for you, depending on your needs and expectations.

Is It Right For Me?

As with any cosmetic enhancement surgery, you should first consider your motivations for surgery to be sure that you're choosing surgery for yourself and not to fulfill someone else's' desires or expectations of you or your body. It is a very personal matter and any decision for surgery should come after careful consideration of all the facts and emotions involved.

In addition, before you consider the body lift procedure you should reach your weight loss goals, as losing dramatic amounts of weight loss after the body lift procedure could have adverse effects on your results, such as additional loose, sagging skin.

The body lift may be a good option for you if you:

• Maintain good physical health and weight
• Don't smoke
• Have realistic expectations
• Are frustrated by your attempts at weight loss and firming of your body with diet and exercise
• Have stretch marks from lack of elasticity

What To Expect During Your Consultation

In order to create the best possible results from your body lift surgery, it is important that your surgeon consult with you to discuss your desires and expectations, as well as how the body lift surgery will impact your health, lifestyle and general well-being. It is a good idea to prepare by considering the following before your consultation:

• General medical history, including the results of laboratory work and past surgeries
• A detailed account of current prescription medications, supplements (vitamins or others) that you take
• Any use of tobacco or other drugs
• What are your motivations for surgery? What are your expectations?

At the consultation, your surgeon will also:

• Evaluate your current health
• Photographically document the areas of the body to be effected by surgery
• Based on the information gathered, your surgeon will discuss your surgical options and recommend a course of treatment
• Disclose the risk of common complications associated with the body lift surgery and the use of anesthesia
• Cover what to do the day of surgery
• Cover post-operative care and recovery

Preparing for Surgery

In the weeks before surgery, your surgeon may request:

• Further laboratory testing or medical evaluations
• Adjusting current prescriptions
• That you avoid the consumption of alcohol, drugs and abstain from smoking for a certain period surrounding surgery

Finally, your surgeon will go over the options you may have regarding the location of your surgery. Typically, the body lift procedure is performed in an accredited surgical center, outpatient ambulatory surgical center or a hospital.

What Happens During the Body Lift Procedure?

Anesthesia

Depending on your individual circumstances, your doctor will suggest either intravenous or general anesthesia.

The Incision

Incisions are based on the extent to which your body will need 'lifting.' In most cases, an incision is made around the entire circumference of your mid-body so that excess fat and skin can be removed and repositioned. The incision itself is the portal through which the surgeon will remove excess fatty tissues and repair sagging, weak abdominal muscles. Liposuction can also be used to remove unwanted fatty deposits from hard to reach areas.

For an upper arm lift, an incision is made under the upper arm from the elbow to the armpit so that excess fat and skin can be removed. The incision itself is hidden on the bottom side of the arm.

Closing the Incisions

Once the procedure has been completed, the incisions are closed with layered sutures, clips and surgical tape.

See the Results

Although you will notice immediate results, your tissues will continue to recover even further as swelling subsides and scars begin to fade, and you will find that your results will continue to unfold over time.

Important Facts About the Safety and Risks of the Body Lift Procedure:

Ultimately, the decision to undergo the body lift procedure is yours alone. After careful consideration of both the risks and benefits of surgery, you'll have to weigh the risks against the potential benefits to make an informed decision that you can live with. Your health care professional will go over all potential risks of surgery and will make themselves available to answer any and all of your questions.

Here is a listing of some of the risks associated with body lift surgery:

• Adverse scarring
• Excessive bleeding (hematoma)
• Infection
• Complications associated with scar healing, including pain associated with surgery
• Fluids aggregation
• Necrosis, or fatty tissues deep within the affected area may die
• Leg swelling that won't go away
• Skin loosening persists
• Potential risks of anesthesia use
• Blood clots

My Recovery

The recovery period immediately following your surgery is critical to achieving the best results possible from the surgery. It is, therefore, of paramount importance that you follow your doctor's instructions exactly. Bandages will need to be changed and restrictions on physical activity are just a few of the steps one must take in order to fully realize the potential results of abdominoplasty surgery. In most cases, you can return to work within two weeks and resume limited physical activity shortly thereafter.

Here are some important questions regarding recovery to ask your doctor before surgery:

• Where will I recover directly after surgery?
• Will I be prescribed any post-surgery medications?
• How often do my bandages need to be changed and when will they be removed permanently?
• When will the stitches be removed?
• How soon will I need to return for a follow-up visit?

Be Careful

After any surgery, it is important to closely monitor how you feel, especially directly after surgery. Varying degrees of pain are certainly to be expected, however, if you experience any kind of tightness or shortness of breath, pains deep in your chest or an irregular heart beat you should go to the doctor immediately. To avoid complications, it is of paramount importance that you strictly follow your doctor's post-surgical instructions and be careful!

The Results Can Be Long-Lasting

The immediate results are oftentimes difficult to see through the swelling and discoloration caused by the procedure itself. However, within a week or two you'll be fully ambulatory, able to stand-up straight and appreciate the new, slimmer you. The ultimate results of your body lift surgery will be long-lasting when you apply healthy lifestyle principles of diet and exercise and you will once again find it easier to wear certain styles of clothing and swim wear, especially as the first few months pass and the swelling reduces and the scarring begins to fade.

What Will My Body Lift Cost?

Cost depends on many varying factors, including the experience of the surgeon and the geographic location of the procedure. Be sure to interview several surgeons when doing your research so you can get a clear picture of your options. Oftentimes, higher cost is not indicative of higher quality; but, it can also be said that you get what you pay for. Shop around and do your homework.

Costs you can expect to incur:

• Surgeon's fee
• Facility fee
• Anesthesiologist
• Medications
• Laboratory tests

In addition, many plastic surgeons offer their own patient financing plans, so be sure to ask your doctor!