Body lifting is an exceptionally effective body contouring surgery that removes excess, hanging skin, fats and tissues following pregnancy or significant weight loss. Aging and gravity are also among the leading factors that contribute to sagginess as the skin loses its natural elasticity. A body lift surgery can make you appear youthful, physically attractive, and energetic.
The surgery can be conducted on the upper, lower, middle, or full body depending on the location of excess and saggy skin. That said, understand that even though a full body lift is relatively safe, it comes with considerable risks and side effects. When the surgery is performed on different areas of the body, the severity scale of risks likewise increases.
What a complete body lift can do
A complete body lift will greatly enhance your body contour by removing the excess fats, tissues, and skin from the target areas. The surgery will first target the abdomen, then onward to address the sides and back. If you have saggy, hanging belly, droopy butts and chubby hips, the procedure will treat that as well. After the surgery, your butts and abdomen will be properly proportioned, well defined, toned, lifted and sleek.
The complete body lifting surgery can also effectively fix the sagginess and excess fats in the groin, thighs, and thigh areas. A breast lift can make your breasts perkier, firmer, rounder, and sexier.
A body lift not only removes superfluous fats from the target areas but also the excess skin and tissues. If your goal is to simply remove the excess fat in localized areas of your body, you should go for liposuction instead.
How is the surgery performed?
The surgery starts with the placement of incisions on the body areas that need contouring. For instance, in case of the abdomen area, the incisions will be placed around the waist or a few inches below the waistline. In the second step, the excess fat is removed and the hanging skin is excised. The length of the incisions will depend on the amount of fats that need to be removed, the tissues that need to be tightened, and the extent of excessive skin that needs to be excised.
A full body lift is a mix of all body lift procedures: upper, middle, and lower body lifts. This means that the surgery will entail a perimeter incision throughout your body. In addition to removing excess skin and fat, the body lift surgery will also tighten weakened tissues by contouring and repositioning. If necessary, liposuction may also be used to improve the contour of the body, as well as accentuate aesthetic improvements.
If skin removal is needed in more than 2 sites in the body, the procedure will be undertaken in phases. You will be required to keep a gap of about 6 months between both phases of body lifting. Your doctor will give you the appropriate surgical recommendation after thoroughly assessing your body. The surgery is normally carried out under general anesthesia. Since body lifting is a major and quite invasive operation, you will need to spend a day or two in the hospital after the surgery.
Side effects, risks and potential complications
Full body lift comes with a number of risks, side effects, and potential complications. The risks are higher in full body lift, because it combines the upper, lower, and middle body lift surgeries. Given the relatively greater risks, patients should seek body lift as a last resort and only if the benefits far outweigh the risks. It is important to have your questions and concerns addressed by the plastic surgeon before scheduling surgery. You should ask your surgeon to explain the risks and how they can be minimized.
The procedure is performed under general anesthesia, which means there is a risk that your body may adversely react to the anesthesia. On top of that, the danger of other complications like excessive bleeding, blood clotting and seroma are higher in body lifting surgery. There is also the possibility of internal organ damage during the surgery. Other risks, side effects, and complications associated with the complete body lift surgery include infections, poor wound healing, hematoma, change in skin sensation, skin death, severe pain and discomforts, asymmetrical body areas, extensive scarring, wound separation, and general dissatisfaction with the outcomes.
Recovery
Recovery after full body lift is a long process, because a body lift is a major operation that comes with a lot of risks and complications. You have to be exceedingly careful during the recovery period. Your doctor may recommend the use of compression garments to minimize swelling or edema. Drain tubes may also be placed under the skin at the incision sites to prevent fluids from accumulating under your skin. Recovery period usually takes from 6-8 weeks after surgery. During the recovery period, be sure to strictly follow your surgeon’s instructions.
Conclusion
Body lifting is a major surgical procedure that can effectively address and remove excess, saggy skin, fats and tissues in your body. The full body lift includes upper, middle, and lower body lift, which makes the attendant risks and complications higher. It is highly important to discuss all the risks of body lifting with your plastic surgeon so you can make an informed decision and properly determine if the benefits far outweigh the risks.