Body lift surgeries are procedures that are used to remove excess, loose skin, which can result following marked weight loss. This is most frequently seen in patients who have undergone dramatic weight loss after bariatric surgery (gastrectomy bypass and gastric banding), but is also seen in those who have lost weight with diet.
In these patients, the skin has lost elasticity and is unable to reform the contours of the body. Body lift surgery removes this excess skin from the breast, arms, abdomen and thighs, and redefines the body shape. To achieve the final result more than one procedure is often required. In many instances a face and neck lift may be requested.
Body Lift surgery is considered radical cosmetic surgery, which unfortunately always leads to surgical incisions and scarring. The severity of scarring depends on the amount and location of the excess skin that is removed. For a full Body Lift, scars will be left in the groin crease of the inside of the legs, around the thighs, underneath the arms, across the lower stomach, on the breasts and possibly along the lower back and hips. However, whichever combination of procedures is selected, every effort will be made to ensure that the scars are minimised and where possible hidden in the body's natural crease lines.
Despite achieving a substantial loss in weight people often remain unconfident and avoid social situations. Despite being thinner, smaller clothes can still be difficult to fit. This is due to the excess skin. Body lift surgery addresses this problem.
Being overweight and smoking can increase the incidence of complications from body lift surgery. It may be wise to delay surgery until smoking is stopped or reduced. Even though weight may have been lost, the patients weight may still be at a level that markedly increases their risk of complications. Those patients will be advised to persist with their weight-reducing regime prior to surgery.
Scarring can be substantial and occasionally more than one operation may be necessary to achieve an optimal result. Bleeding, infection and asymmetry can occur. A thorough assessment preoperatively is advised.
Aspirin increases the risk of bleeding by preventing blood from clotting. If you are taking aspirin, you will be asked to stop this for at least ten days before the procedure.
Reshaping the body by removing excess and sagging skin that occurs following weight loss. A variety of techniques. Scars can be obvious. Risks include bleeding, seroma, infection, skin loss as well as change in sensation, asymmetry and lumpiness. At least an overnight stay in hospital with recovery taking 4-6 weeks.