The body lift surgery, also called a belt lipectomy, involves an incision that goes around the entire waist in the bikini area. The body lift is basically a combination of a tummy tuck and a butt lift. Depending on your circumstances, the tummy tuck surgery and buttock lift procedure may need to be performed separately. We will evaluate you at your consultation and discuss the risks, benefits and alternative treatments.
Skin Conditions
Body Lift
The incisions for these lifts are closed with dissolvable sutures and drains are usually placed to remove excess fluid that accumulates in the first week after surgery. The incisions are covered with tape and a compression garment is worn for 4 weeks to help reduce swelling and assist the skin in contracting to the new body contour. The drains and tape are usually removed one week after surgery. Sometimes the drains may need to stay in longer if your body is producing excess fluid from inflammation after surgery.
Recovery following Body Lift surgery
Expected recovery is between one to two weeks. It is important to begin walking the day after surgery to prevent blood clots from forming in the deep veins of the leg. You can resume light exercise after two weeks and more vigorous exercise after six weeks. Some bruising is normal after surgery. This usually goes away in the first few weeks.
Your incisions will be noticeable immediately following surgery but they will gradually fade and flatten for up to a year after surgery. You will also have some puckering around the incision after surgery. This will smooth out over a month or two. If your skin has lots of stretch marks or is extremely thin, this is a sign of poor skin elasticity.
Minimizing scars after Body Lift surgery
Patients with poor skin elasticity may be more prone to widening of the scar after surgery. Sometimes patients elect to do a scar revision procedure 8 -12 months after initial healing to improve the appearance of the scars. Your skin will also be firm and numb at the outset. It will soften and normal sensation will return gradually.
Contact us today for more details about a body lift surgery and signup for a complimentary consult.