Body Lift

After significant weight loss, many individuals experience loose and sagging skin. For those facing this issue, we offer various body lift procedures to help restore a firmer appearance. When the skin in the upper arms becomes saggy, an arm lift, or brachioplasty, is often needed. If there is excess skin around the abdomen and the abdominal muscles have weakened, a tummy tuck may be recommended. For those struggling with loose skin on the inner thighs, a thigh lift can help address the issue. Initially, you will have a consultation with our plastic surgeon, who will evaluate your specific needs and discuss potential risks and complications. For instance, patients who have undergone a mastectomy may not be suitable candidates for an arm lift, and if you have a history of phlebitis (inflammation of the blood vessels) in your legs, you may not be eligible for a thigh lift. The plastic surgeon will assess your body and, based on your desires and priorities, will create a personalized body contouring plan.

A mommy makeover is a surgery that combines a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) with other body and breast lift procedures. Essentially, it’s a comprehensive transformation for the patient. The term “mommy makeover” comes from the fact that this surgery is often chosen by mothers following one or more pregnancies.

A thigh lift involves lifting and removing excess skin through incisions in the inner thigh and/or upper outer thigh. Although the incisions are extensive, they are generally not visible when wearing clothes. If necessary, a thigh lift can be combined with liposuction during the same procedure.

If a patient has only a few areas of fat in the upper-inner arms and no excess skin, liposuction may be an option without the need for skin removal. However, if loose, sagging skin is present, an arm lift (brachioplasty) is performed. This procedure involves making an incision along the upper-inner arm, from the armpit to the elbow, to remove the excess skin.

Following the procedure, you will likely need to stay in the hospital overnight. You should be able to get up and walk the day after surgery. While you may experience pain for a few days, using cold compresses or ice packs will help alleviate the discomfort and reduce swelling. Any drains placed during the surgery will be removed by your surgeon within a few days. You can resume showering and return to your normal routine about a week after the surgery. Physical activities can be resumed 3 to 4 weeks after the operation. A compression garment will be applied to the treated area after the surgery. This garment helps support the incisions, and it also minimizes swelling and bruising that can occur post-surgery. It is crucial to wear it for the next 3 weeks. You will notice improvements in your body shape immediately; however, the final results will become more apparent after about a week when the swelling subsides. Once your body contouring is complete, you will not only look great but also feel confident in your new body shape.

Potential complications can include bleeding, infections, asymmetry, and issues with healing, which may lead to prominent scarring. Since the skin is altered during the procedure, there is a slight risk of skin loss due to poor blood circulation. This risk is higher for individuals with certain types of old scars or for those who smoke. It is essential to stop smoking and discontinue the use of aspirin at least 14 days prior to the surgery.