Body lift procedures, also known as body-contouring procedures, are surgeries that are typically performed after massive sudden weight loss. The goal of these surgical procedures is to tighten loose hanging skin, eliminate excess skin, and contour the shape of the underlying skin tissue.

The term “body lift” is typically an umbrella term for procedures such as the arm lift, the tummy tuck, the breast lift, the thigh lift, and the thigh-buttock lift. All of these procedures will contour your body effectively in the treatment areas, and they can be performed in tandem with each other if you are an eligible candidate.

Why Do Patients Need a Body Lift?

Following significant weight loss through diet, exercise, surgery, or medications, your skin will be unable to effectively retract, as it is not used to accommodating a lower degree of fat. This causes the extra skin to sag and hang loosely, which greatly affects a person’s appearance. Massive weight loss may also leave some people with stubborn fat deposits in different areas of the body that are simply unresponsive to normal diet and exercise.

Good Body Lift Candidates

The best candidates for body lifts are those who have recently lost a lot of weight, and those with several stubborn fat deposits are also eligible. Candidates’ weight needs to have been stable for at least three to six months before surgery.

Patients need to have a general level of good health and no health complications. Patients also need to possess realistic expectations for the outcome. Your surgeon will typically provide you with detailed pre-operative requirements a month or so before surgery that you will need to meet.

What Does a Body Lift Involve?

The body lift procedure is performed under general anesthesia. The time required for your body lift will depend upon the number of procedures you have chosen and the amount of excess tissue that is being removed.

A body lift involves numerous procedures performed in tandem. It begins with the required incisions for the areas you want to have tightened and contoured. The excess skin is removed and tightened, and fatty tissues are eliminated. After the body’s contours have been improved, the incisions will be closed using medical sutures.

How Will the Recovery Process Take?

Depending on the amount of tissue that was removed, your recovery period may last for up to two months. Surgeons typically require patients to wear compression garments on the treatment areas for at least two to four weeks after surgery, and you will experience swelling, bruising, and general discomfort for a couple of weeks. The compression garments are used to minimize swelling and bruising and to help the tightened skin better cling to the recontoured regions.

You will typically need to take a month off work, and strenuous exercise is off the table for two months. Surgeons typically recommend light walking after three weeks or so to assist the recovery process.

Learn More About the Body Lift

Take the first step in your body-contouring journey – contact the office of Dr. Elias Gikas. Dr. Gikas, a skilled board-certified plastic surgeon with years of experience, will meet with you for a consultation, where you will be able to express your body lift needs and goals.