What To Expect From A Body Lift

For people who have undergone a massive weight loss, the lingering after affects can often include excessive skin that remains stretched, saggy and unattractively hanging long after the fat is gone. Since exercise, diet and genetics can only do so much for skin to snap back into place, the end result is often an unattractive saggy look. A body lift can be done to help remove the excessive skin in either the upper or lower body or in some cases in both areas of the body.

Candidates for an upper or lower body lift need to have maintained their weight loss for a minimum of three months with six months to a year being preferable. Patients who have undergone a gastric bypass or lap band surgery will need to wait at least a year before they can undergo the body lift surgery.

Other considerations for potential patients include participating in a healthy diet and exercise regime and maintaining a healthy life style. Patients who still plan to have children should wait until they are done having children before they undergo the surgery. Also patients who smoke should quit smoking well in advance of the surgery to avoid potential complications.

This is a significant surgery and the down time for recovery is also significant. Patients should expect to spend one to three days in the hospital or surgical center in recovery after their operation. How long you will need to be in recovery will depend on your overall body mass at the time of your surgery. In addition patients should be prepared to have several drainage tubes inserted for a period of several weeks, which will require professional medical observation and care to properly maintain. Patients will also be directed to wear a medical compression garment until they are healed enough to have their doctor clear them to stop.

Exercise will be out for a period of six to eight weeks after surgery although patients are encouraged to walk in order to avoid blood clots from forming. In addition to no exercise and a strict adherence to limited activity, patients should expect a minimal down time of four to six weeks before any normal activities can be resumed.

The swelling from surgery will dissipate over time but the end results won’t be visible until three months or more after the procedure as the swelling goes down. In the end however those who elect to undergo this procedure will have the excessive hanging skin removed from their upper and/or lower body and will reap the benefits of a trimmer more toned body with the tight skin to compliment their weight loss and generally won’t be disappointed by their commitment to making their bodies look the best they are capable of looking.