What is a Body Lift?

 

A Body lift (Circumferential Lipectomy) involves removing excess skin and tissue from the abdomen, buttocks and hips in one procedure. It is a tummy tuck that extends around the back 360 degrees. This surgery is common among patients who have had massive weight loss, where a standard tummy tuck would leave excess skin around the back/ buttock. 

 

What Can I Expect with a Body Lift?

 

A Quick Overview

 

Surgery time: 5 hours. 

Length of stay in hospital: 2 - 4 nights.

Recovery time: (The following are approximate times.)

Driving 2 weeks,

Office work 2 - 3 weeks and

Strenuous work/exercise 6 weeks. 

Garments: Post-surgery binder in hospital and compression shorts after drains are removed. These should be worn 24/7 for 4-6 weeks.

Incision and scar: Incision from hip to hip, low on the abdomen and back, under the clothing/ swimwear line. Another incision around the belly button.

 

Other Things to Consider

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• You should reach your target weight and maintain it for at least 6 months prior to this surgery. 

• In order to maintain your results post-surgery, you must maintain your weight. 

• It is advised that you finish your family prior to this surgery, as future pregnancies will alter your results. However, if you were to get pregnant after a healed abdominoplasty, it should not cause any problems with your pregnancy or birth. 

• This surgery can be done in conjunction with other body-contouring procedures and/or liposuction.