Body Lift
Sagging, excess skin in multiple body areas that is unaffected by diet and exercise can be corrected with body lift surgery. A body lift can restore your skin to a more youthful, lifted position, relieve painful rashes and odors caused by hanging skin flaps, and address loose skin and irregular body contours in the following areas:
- Upper arms
- Abdomen
- Lower back
- Buttocks
- Inner thighs
- Outer thighs
At New Horizons Plastic Surgery, our board-certified Nacogdoches plastic surgeon, Dr. Gregory Wittpenn, has extensive experience in various body contouring procedures. During an initial consultation, Dr. Wittpenn will review your medical history and cosmetic goals to determine if a body lift, or alternative procedure, will be the best solution for your unique treatment plan.
What Is a Body Lift?
A body lift is a combination of procedures designed to lift, tighten, and contour various areas of the body that have been affected by significant weight loss, pregnancy, and the effects of aging. During body lift surgery, excess skin and pockets of fat will be removed circumferentially from the abdomen, arms, thighs, back, and buttocks to create an overall smoother, more sculpted appearance.
Depending on the patient, body lift procedures may be performed in staged intervals to ensure the surgery meets the highest standards of safety. After surgery, patients often experience relief from discomfort caused by chafing from overhanging skin folds, improved comfort and confidence when engaging in physical activities such as exercise, and an enhanced overall quality of life.
Who Is a Good Candidate for a Body Lift?
It is common for patients to seek body contouring after major weight loss, which can provide skin tightening and body shaping. A body lift can help skin return to a smoother, firmer appearance when it does not contract on its own after fat reduction. Body lift surgery is appropriate for men and women who are at a stable weight, are in good physical and mental health and do not smoke.
What Can I Expect From the Body Lift Procedure?
The body lift procedure is typically extensive because it is designed to address excess skin on multiple body areas and may include any combination of arm lift, thigh lift, buttocks lift, and abdominal skin removal procedures like tummy tuck surgery. Depending on your problem areas and cosmetic goals, Dr. Wittpenn will recommend the combination of body lift procedures that will best meet your needs and fully explain what each will entail. The initial body lift recovery period is about 2-3 weeks, but you may need several weeks to completely recover after a body lift, especially if multiple surgeries are required to address several body areas or areas of severe skin laxity.
“Excellent & thorough care from Dr. Wittpenn & all the staff! Loving my results so far.”
What Is Recovery Like After a Body Lift?
Recovery after a body lift typically involves several weeks of healing and downtime, with the initial recovery phase lasting about 2 to 4 weeks. During this time, patients may experience swelling, bruising, and discomfort, which can generally be well-managed with prescribed pain medications. It’s essential to wear compression garments as directed by your surgeon to minimize swelling and support the healing process. Most patients can return to light activities within 2 weeks but should avoid strenuous exercise or heavy lifting for about 6 to 8 weeks (or until given clearance by Dr. Wittpenn). Drains may be placed temporarily to reduce fluid buildup, and follow-up appointments are necessary to monitor your progress. While results will begin to show as swelling subsides, final results may take several months to develop as the re-contoured tissues settle fully. Carefully following Dr. Wittpenn’s post-op instructions can help ensure a smoother recovery while optimizing the long-term outcome of your body lift procedure.
Contact New Horizons Plastic Surgery
Dr. Gregory Wittpenn is an expert Nacogdoches body lift surgeon who sees patients from all over eastern Texas and western Louisiana for body lift surgery, including residents of Longview, Lufkin, Huntsville, Tyler and Shreveport. Contact New Horizons Plastic Surgery at (936) 564-3744 to schedule a consultation or learn more about body lift surgery.