A Body Lift Will Complement Natural Weight Loss

Plastic surgery techniques have improved significantly over recent years. With these improvements, plastic surgeons are now able to combine several different procedures to sculpt small parts of the body, and now even the entire body. A body lift is a plastic surgery procedure that resculpts fatty areas of the body and removes excess skin to give every area of the body a smoother and toned look.

Most plastic surgeons will recommend that plastic surgery candidates be within 10 percent of their ideal body weight. This is also true for body lift patients, however, a number of ideal candidates have previously had bariatric surgery to help them lose weight. Many times, these patients were previously considered obese, and losing extreme amounts of fat naturally can cause excess skin sagging. Aging can also cause this effect, because as the body ages, the skin loses elasticity and begins to sag.This procedure will remove this excess fat and restore the shape of the body contours. Plastic surgery is not an alternative to natural weight loss, and patients considering the procedure should have achieved an ideal weight and maintained it for at least three months. For patients who have previously had bariatric surgery, plastic surgeons recommend a stable weight for up to a year before having the body lift.

The most common body lift procedure is also known as a belt lipectomy. This surgery is most often performed on patients who have also had bariatric surgery, which helps in inducing dramatic weight loss. Even with a liposuction surgery, it may be necessary to remove any excess skin that has not maintained its elasticity. This is no exception for many bariatric patients who will need a body lift procedure to tighten loose skin on the buttocks, thighs, and hips. 

A belt lipectomy is performed under general anesthesia. To perform the procedure, the plastic surgeon makes an incision across the waistline and down the thighs, which allows the surgeon to remove excess skin and any underlying fat layers in the lower part of the body. Having removed the excess fat and skin, the surgeon will then stretch the remaining skin over the area, and secure it with stitches and sutures. This entire procedure can take anywhere from two to five hours, depending on the size of the area and the amount of fat and skin that will be removed. Additionally, an abdominoplasty will be combined with the procedure. This includes manipulating the abdominal muscles and reconstructing the stomach. 

Though this is an extensive surgery, patients considering this procedure should be aware of the steps involved toward getting the final results. There may also be an intensive and painful recovery period. However, the results are long-lasting, and even permanent as long as the patient continues a healthy diet and exercise plan.