ABOUT BODY LIFT
A body lift is a combination of surgical procedures designed to improve the overall appearance of the patient’s body, by removing excess skin and tightening the remaining skin. A body lift also involves the removal of underlying excess fat and can treat cellulite.
The procedure is most commonly performed on patients who have undergone bariatric surgery to lose weight, or who have lost significant amounts of weight through diet and exercise, and are left with excess skin around the body.
A lower body lift is the most popular type of body lift which can include an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), thigh and butt lift. Other surgeries can also be combined in a body lift, such as a breast lift or arm lift.
Recommended for
- Weight loss patients with excess skin
TIME REQUIREMENTS
- Number of days in hospital: 1 – 3 days.
- Average length of stay abroad: 1 – 2 weeks.
Patients must check with their surgeon that they are fit enough to fly home, as well as taking necessary precautions against deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
COMPARE BODY LIFT PRICES AROUND THE WORLD
| Country | Cost |
|---|---|
| United Arab Emirates | 18392€ |
| Thailand | 7124€ |
| Spain | 6500€ |
| Costa Rica | 6280€ |
| Mexico | 4486€ |
| Poland | 3400€ |
| Turkey | 2800€ |
HOW TO FIND QUALITY TREATMENT ABROAD
BEFORE BODY LIFT ABROAD
Before body lift surgery, the patient will be advised to quit smoking if they are a smoker, as this can slow down the recovery process.
In preparation for general anesthesia, patients should fast as instructed by the clinic. It is also important to avoid taking any medications which thin the blood, such as aspirin.
HOW IS IT PERFORMED
Most body lift surgeries involve a surgical incision around the patient’s circumference to remove the loose skin. This can be combined with liposuction to improve the contour of the patient’s body. Depending on the patient’s goals, the surgeon will perform the surgery on various areas of the body such as the abdomen, thighs, and butt. Once satisfied with the shape, the surgeon will close the incision with support structures and dress the wounds.
Anesthesia
General anesthetic.
Procedure duration
The Body Lift takes 5 to 7 hours.
WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER BODY LIFT
Post procedure care
Most patients will wear an abdominal binder after surgery, to protect the wound area and encourage healing. Patients are usually offered strong painkillers and antibiotics for the first few days after surgery.
Patients will usually need to take 1 to 3 weeks off work to allow for the body to heal and recover.
Possible discomfort
Swelling, soreness, and redness are common after the surgery, but will pass in combination with pain medication.
IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT BODY LIFT
Not recommended for
- Patients anticipating considerable weight loss
- Women intending to have children
Potential risks
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Poor wound healing
- Fluid accumulation
- Numbness
- Fat necrosis
- Persistent pain
- Persistent swelling in the legs
- Asymmetry
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Body lift surgery carries similar risks to other procedures performed under general anesthetic and include blot clots, excessive bleeding, adverse reaction to anesthesia, and infection. Other complications associated with body lifts include fluid accumulation in the affected area, changes in skin sensation, fat necrosis, recurrence of loose skin, and unfavorable scarring. Most risks can be reduced by selecting an experienced and reputable surgeon.
A body lift is a combination of surgical procedures designed to contour areas of the body by removing excess skin and fat deposits. It is sometimes combined with liposuction. This procedure is not designed to be a weight-loss treatment but is often used after significant weight loss to tighten areas on the abdomen. It may include an adominoplasty, thigh lift, butt lift, arm lift, and other procedures.
A lower body lift includes procedures like an abdominoplasty and thigh lift that focuses on the lower body. A whole body lift would cover everything a lower body lift does, as well as the arms, chest, and other upper body areas.
A body lift is a major surgical procedure that will require an extensive healing period. How long recovery takes depends on how drastic the changes to your body were. Dressings or bandages will be applied to the incisions over the sutures and the surgeon may place drainage tubes to help drain any excess blood or fluid that may collect. Most patients take between 4 to 6 weeks to heal after this procedure. Sutures may not be removed for up to 3 weeks and drains may not be removed for up to 4 weeks. Some patients require more or less time depending on how extensive the procedure was.
Some patients are able to leave the hospital the next day after this procedure, but some have to stay up to 7 days. Your surgeon will be able to give you better expectations for your recovery during your consultation.
Pain is to be expected during recovery, and your doctor will prescribe a pain management plan for you that will likely include medication.
How much weight is removed depends on your body, but most surgeons estimate about 10 pounds (4.5 kilograms) of skin and fat will be removed. Your surgeon will be able to estimate this for you during your consultation.
