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What is a body lift surgery?
A body lift surgery is a procedure that removes large skin folds and fat from the hips, thighs, lower abdomen, and upper buttocks to improve a dimpled, irregular skin surface. A body lift aims to remove and tighten saggy skin. This procedure can help people who have experienced massive weight loss after bariatric surgery. It can also help mothers get their pre-pregnancy bodies through this surgery [1].
Picture Courtesy: Plastic surgery
What are the different types of body lift surgeries?
Picture Courtesy: Shutterstock
The different types of body lift surgeries are:
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- Upper body lifts surgery- It includes the combination of brachioplasty, breast lift, and upper back lift.
- Lower body lifts include circumferential abdominoplasty, butt lift, and outer thigh lift surgeries.
- Inner thigh lift surgery
- Facelift surgery and many more [2]
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What candidate is best suited for body lift surgery?
A good candidate for body lift surgery is:-
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- A person who has maintained a constant weight for a minimum of 3 months, preferably 6-12months.
- A person with significant soft tissue looseness in multiple body areas.
- Non-smokers
- A person who is maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
- A person who has previously undergone any weight loss surgeries has lost weight tremendously and has saggy loose skin [3].
- Someone not associated with severe ill medical conditions such as cancer, heart diseases, etc.
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Before the procedure
A plastic surgeon performs body lift surgeries. Before the surgery, the surgeon does a thorough physical examination of the patient and records the patient’s medical history, co-morbidities, medications list in case the patient is taking daily, and history of surgery. The patient has to undergo a couple of blood tests and radiological tests to confirm whether the patient is fit for the surgery or not. Once the patient is fit for the procedure, the doctor discusses the type of surgery suitable for the patient and counsels regarding the pros and cons of the procedure and their associated risk factors. The doctor will ask the patient to stop a few medications, such as aspirin, warfarin, and anti-inflammatory medications, for a few days before the procedure.At the time of the procedure
Body lift surgeries are generally done under general anesthesia, where the patient will be unconscious throughout the procedure. The surgeon makes markings on the area where it has to be operated through a marker, and the length of the incision and pattern depend on the amount and location of excess skin to be removed. Then, the surgeon will infiltrate dilute anesthesia fluid into the marked area to reduce the blood loss and soften the fat for gentle extraction. The surgeon removes the excess skin with careful attention to minimizing the blood loss. The surgeon places a drain tube under the skin to drain the excess tissue fluid and prevent seroma collection, and the incision area is closed in several layers with the help of sutures, and the dressing is done [4].After the procedure
After the procedure, the patient is shifted to the ICU to monitor the vitals closely. Once the patient is stable, the patient is shifted to the recovery room for further management and care. Initially, the patient might experience pain in the operated area for a few days, and the doctor advises pain killers to subside the pain. The doctor will remove the drain tube 4-5 days after the procedure. The patient can go home once they are hemodynamically stable. The patient has to follow a couple of instructions carefully and regularly follow up with the doctor after the procedure.FAQ
What are the benefits of body lift surgery?
The benefits of body lift surgery are:
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- Results in smooth body contour
- Eliminates the extra skin folds
- Reduces the skin inflammation
- Improves personal confidence
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What are the risk factors or complications associated with body lift surgery?
The risk factors or complications associated with body lift surgeries are:
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- Bleeding
- Irregularity of area, asymmetry
- Scar formation
- Body lift patients might have a nutritional deficiency, resulting in poor or delayed wound healing.
- Anesthesia risk factors
- DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) and pulmonary or cardiac complications
- Swelling or recurrent looseness of skin
- Pain, infection, skin loss [6]
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What is the recovery period for body lift surgery?
The complete recovery from the procedure depends upon the type the surgery performed. In general, the patient might require 5-6 weeks to get back to normal activities and should wait for at least 7-8 weeks to start exercising while avoiding strenuous exercises. The swelling in the operated area will subside within 4-6weeks after the procedure. [7]
How much does body lift surgery cost after weight loss?
The cost of the body lift surgery varies from person to person, and it depends on various factors such as the type of surgery opted for, geographic location, type of hospital chosen, and experience and skills of the surgeon. Anavara organization helps the patient choose the best hospital and surgeon at an affordable cost. For further queries, visit our website https://www.anavara.com/.
How painful is a body lift surgery?
The patient initially might experience slight pain in the operated area for a few days, for which the doctor prescribes pain killers, and as the wound heals, pain also subsides.
When can we notice the results of body lift surgery?
One can notice the results of body lift surgery immediately after the procedure. After the procedure, the person starts feeling slimmer and notices that the extra saggy skin is gone. However, one can notice the complete result after 6-8months [5].
What diet should be followed after a body lift surgery?
Post-surgery, the patient is advised to take plenty of liquids and a high protein diet, which will help fast recover the wound. The patient is advised to maintain a healthy lifestyle, avoid drinking drug abuse, and be encouraged to quit smoking.
References
- https://www.yourplasticsurgeryguide.com/contouring/body-lift/
- https://www.alluremedspa.in/body-lift-surgery.html#what-are-the-different-types-of-body-lift-surgery
- https://www.yourplasticsurgeryguide.com/contouring/body-lift/
- https://www.healthline.com/health/lower-body-lift#procedure
- https://www.alluremedspa.in/body-lift-surgery.html#what-are-the-results-of-body-lift-surgery
- https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/body-lift/safety
- https://www.verywellhealth.com/body-lift-surgery-what-you-need-to-know-2709984
