What is a Body Lift?

A body lift improves the shape and tone of the underlying tissue that supports fat and skin. Excess sagging fat and skin are removed to treat conditions caused in part by poor tissue elasticity.

A body lift may include these areas:

• · Abdominal area – locally or extending around the sides and into the lower back area
• · Buttocks that may be low, flat or shaped unevenly
• · Groin that may sag into inner thigh
• · Thigh – the inner, outer, or posterior thigh, or the thigh’s circumference

What you should know before undergoing body lift surgery

You may only be considered a good candidate for a body lift, if you are:

• · An individual with significant soft tissue looseness in one or multiple body areas
• · A healthy individual who do not have medical conditions that can impair healing or increase risk of surgery
• · A non-smoker
• · An individual with a positive outlook and realistic goals for what body lift surgery can accomplish
• · An individual committed to leading a healthy lifestyle including proper nutrition and fitness

Be prepared to discuss:

• · Your surgical goals
• · Medical conditions, drug allergies and previous medical treatments
• · Current medications, vitamins, herbal supplements, alcohol, tobacco and drug use
• · Previous surgeries

Your surgeon may also:

• · Evaluate your general health status and any pre-existing health conditions or risk factors
• · Examine and measure your body, this may include detailed body measurements
• · Take photographs
• · Discuss your body lift options
• · Recommend a course of treatment
• · Discuss likely outcomes of body lift surgery and any risks or potential complications

Important facts about the safety and risks of body lift surgery

The decision to have a body lift is extremely personal and you’ll have to decide if the benefits will achieve your goals and if the risks and potential complications are acceptable.

Your plastic surgeon and/or staff will explain in detail the risks associated with surgery. You will be asked to sign consent forms to ensure that you fully understand the procedure you will undergo and any risks or potential complications.

The risks include:

• · Unfavourable scarring
• · Bleeding (hematoma)
• · Infection
• · Fluid accumulation
• · Poor wound healing
• · Skin loss
• · Blood clots
• · Numbness or other changes in skin sensation
• · Anaesthesia risks
• · Skin discoloration and/or prolonged swelling
• · Fatty tissue found deep in the skin might die (fat necrosis)
• · Major wound separation
• · Asymmetry
• · Recurrent looseness of skin
• · Pain, which may persist
• · Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications
• · Persistent swelling in the legs
• · Possibility of revision surgery
• · Sutures may spontaneously surface through the skin, become visible or produce irritation that require removal

Be sure to ask questions:

It’s very important to ask your plastic surgeon questions about your body lift procedure. It’s natural to feel some anxiety, whether it’s excitement for your anticipated new look or a bit of preoperative stress. Don’t be shy about discussing these feelings with your plastic surgeon.