Body lift surgery is intended to remove excess skin that is the result of either extreme weight loss or age-related changes. The surgery tightens remaining skin so that it hugs the body’s contours. There are several variations of body lift surgery that can be performed alone or combined for optimal results. Learn more about body lift procedures and contact Chicago Aesthetic Surgery Institute and Medspa to schedule your initial surgical consultation.
Body Lift Candidates
An ideal Chicago body lift candidate is a person at normal weight who has maintained stable weight for at least six months. Post-bariatric surgery patients in particular should wait at least a year after their surgery before having body lift or any other plastic surgery. Candidates should not smoke, be in good general health, and women should not plan to get pregnant in the near future.
Body lift candidates should have reasonable expectations of the surgery. It is intended only to remove excess saggy or wrinkly skin, and it will not eliminate large deposits of fat. Liposuction is a more appropriate procedure for individuals seeking fat reduction, and in some cases weight loss surgery might be needed. Once most of the excess weight is gone, liposuction can be combined with body lift to achieve slimmer body contours.
Specific Body Lift Procedures
If the treatment plan involves multiple procedures, these procedures may be combined or performed separately, depending on the surgeon’s recommendations and the patient’s preference.
Arm Lift removes excess fat and trims excess skin from the arms. The remaining skin is tightened and sutured into place. Arm lift incisions are usually made in the armpit and in the inside of the arm, extending from the elbow to the armpit. The incisions are made in the natural contours of the arm to prevent conspicuous scarring.
Thigh Lift eliminates excess skin and fat from the thighs via an incision made at the area where the top of the thigh meets the groin. If extensive work is needed, the incision may extend from the groin down to the knee. Remaining skin is tightened and sutured together.
Buttock Lift may take one of two approaches. In the first, excess saggy skin is trimmed and the remaining skin is tightened; in the second – called a Brazilian butt lift – fat is grafted from a donor site on the patient’s body, purified and then injected into the upper portion of the buttocks to produce a “lifted” effect.
Breast Lift elevates the breasts to a higher position on the chest. Incisions are usually made around the lower portion of the areola, extending downward to the crease of the breast.
Lower Body Lift is designed for Chicago body lift patients who need to treat multiple areas of the lower body. The procedureaddresses the entire lower region of the body, including buttocks, hips, inner thighs and outer thighs. The incision is made around the belt line and extends around the circumference of the body.
Upper Body Lift treats skin laxity around the upper body, including the “bra-line” area on the upper back, arms, side of the chest and breasts. Back rolls may also be removed.
Recovering from Body Lift
Our plastic surgeons will provide detailed post-operative instructions to aid in your healing. Compression garments are provided to control swelling and support the new contours of the skin. Gentle movement such as walking is recommended the day after surgery to promote circulation and reduce the risk of blood clots. Patients will need to get plenty of rest and avoid strenuous activity and heavy lifting for about four to six weeks.
Benefits and Risks of Body Lift Surgery
Body lift surgery comprehensively treats areas of the body with loose excess skin. It may be combined with liposuction for reduction of both skin and fat deposits. Upper and lower body lifts are full-scale procedures that can target multiple body parts in one procedure. Arm, thigh, buttocks and breast lift procedures hone in on specific areas of the body.
Risks include seroma (collection of fluid beneath the surface of the skin), numbness or loss of sensation, asymmetry, blood clots and complications relating to the anesthesia. Our experienced surgeons take various precautions to eliminate or reduce these risks.
Schedule Your Body Lift Consultation Today
If you are interested in body lift surgery and would like more information, please contact Chicago Aesthetic Surgery Institute and Medspa. During your appointment, our talented surgeons can also explain various other procedures, such as liposuction, laser liposuction and tummy tuck in Chicago. For women who wish to enhance their body contours after pregnancy, our surgeons offer mommy makeover – a comprehensive treatment consisting of procedures for the breasts and midriff.
