Let’s say you’ve lost a tremendous amount of weight and have successfully achieved your weight-loss goals. While admiring your new figure, you notice that you have a lot of excess skin hanging from your thighs, hips, and abdominal area. What do you do?
The answer is simple: You get a body lift. Not only is a body lift an excellent choice after rapid weight loss, it’s also beneficial for older people with sagging skin and for women who have experienced childbirth and want to return to their former shape.
What Is a Body Lift?
Our skin is typically unable to shrink down to fit our new contours after sudden changes in weight. Instead, it is left to sag from areas of the body. Body-contouring surgeries like body lifts help treat this unwanted loose skin. A body lift reshapes your body to present you with a slimmer and more toned look.
A body lift is a combined procedure involving multiple specific contouring procedures like the tummy tuck and the thigh lift. It is quite extensive and also consists of contouring through the hips and flanks. A body lift can be combined with other cosmetic surgical procedures such as liposuction for even better contouring.
The Procedure and What to Expect
The plastic surgeon operating on you will decide on the surgical approach to take depending on the amount of correction needed. They will also take into account how much excess skin is to be eliminated and from which areas using your personal preferences as a guide.
An incision will be made that runs around the circumference of your lower body. This incision offers access to the underlying tissues of your abdomen, waist, thighs, hips, and buttocks. And other necessary incisions are also made. Excess skin and fat are removed, and then the skin is redraped and tightened. The incisions are closed using surgical sutures.
The Recovery Process
Individuals may experience a degree of discomfort after their body-lift procedure. Prescription pain medication can be helpful to make the recovery process easier. Post-surgical swelling and bruising are also common, and these will subside soon with the help of elastic garments.
Once these side-effects go down, you will notice better-defined contours. Patients may resume their daily activities within a week or two. However, they must hold off on intensive activities until at least four weeks have passed, possibly more depending on the degree of contouring.
Remember that a body lift is not an alternative to a healthy diet and regular exercise. In order to maintain a fit body, one must maintain a healthy and active lifestyle.
Make an Appointment for a Consultation
If you’ve experienced rapid weight loss and are struggling with loose skin hanging from your body, you should consider a body lift. You will be able to notice an improvement in your lower-body contours. It’s important to have realistic expectations from the procedure.
At Marietta Plastic Surgery, our skilled and experienced plastic surgeons will be happy to explain more about the body lift and how it can be customized for your goals. Learn more today – contact our office and schedule an appointment for a consultation.