Plastic Surgery Cosmetic Surgery

The body lift, also known as a belt lipectomy or lower body lift, improves the appearance of the abdomen, thighs, and buttocks. The operation is performed typically to remove excess skin and fat following massive weight loss. It can also be performed to fight the effects of aging and childbearing, including excess skin, cellulite, and sagging fatty tissue. Some patients also select body lift surgeries to improve the results of gastric bypass, panniculectomy, or liposuction.

The body lift procedure is performed on post bariatric patients as well as patients who have not had weight loss. The body lift transforms patients that have experienced massive weight loss and have excess skin. However, results are just as dramatic in patients who in addition to a tummy tuck want a tightening of the skin in their thighs and buttocks. The body lift (belt lipectomy) has the advantage that it can be done in one surgical session, or in stages, depending on the patients needs.

Body Lift Consultation

At the initial consultation for a belt lipectomy / body lift, your goals and expectations about the surgery will be discussed in detail. An individual decision as to the most appropriate technique(s) to be used will be made and the advantages of each technique will be discussed. Informational material and discussion will allow you to have a clear understanding of the belt lipectomy and body lift procedure.

The Lower Body Lift Procedure

This procedure is a big operation. It usually lasts about 6 hours and the patient has significant bleeding when compared to other plastic surgery, esthetic surgery procedures. Therefore, I request patients to have either themselves or relatives donate a total of 2 pints of blood that will be given back to them during the operation. Also, this is the only procedure that I require my patients to stay in the hospital for two days.

Conceptually, a lower body lift procedure is simple to understand. Imagine removing a 6 inch belt of skin around your waistline and lifting the lower body to fill the gap. This is a simplistic rendition of what a lower body lift accomplishes. This procedure will tighten the abdomen, waist, hips, buttocks, and outer thighs. It will not improve the inner thighs but it can be combined, in the appropriate patient, with an inner thigh lift, to accomplish a complete lower body enhancement.

The scar in this operation is of major concern. The location varies depending on the patient, but it usually resembles a bikini bottom pattern. Because of the high satisfaction that this procedure yields, patients are accepting of the extensive circumferential scar.

Recovery

Recovery from the body lift can be painful and extended. Patients have tubes and drains left in their skin for one to two weeks post surgery to drain any tissue fluid or blood. They are encouraged to walk right away, and progressively move more as days pass. Most patients resume normal activity in four to six weeks after body lift surgery.

Body lift complications

Hematoma: Small collections of blood under the skin. Typically absorbed spontaneously by the body. Larger hematomas may require aspiration, drainage, or even surgical removal to achieve best results.

Inflammation and Infection: A superficial infection may only require antibiotics. Development of an abscess can require drainage. Infection can affect the body’s ability to heal properly.

Thick, wide, or depressed scars: Some areas of the body scar more easily than others. Scarring can also depend on an individual’s genetic makeup. Unsightly scars can often be revised surgically.

Wound separation or delayed healing: Any incision, during the healing phase, may separate or heal unusually slow for a number of reasons. If delayed healing occurs the final outcome is not usually affected, but may require secondary revision surgery.

Sensitivity or allergy to dressings or tape: Most allergies are mild, but in extremely rare circumstances allergic reactions can be severe and require aggressive treatment or even hospitalization.

Injury to deeper sutures: Blood vessels, nerves and muscles may be injured during surgery, though this occurrence is very rare.

Loss of nipple sensation: Nerves that supply skin or nipple sensation may be cut or damaged while the pocket of space for the breats implant is being created. Although this does not happen routinely, it can happen no matter how carefully the surgery is performed. If sensory loss occurs, the nerves slowly recover over a period of one to two years in about 85% of the cases.

This entry was posted on Thursday, January 17th, 2008 at 10:08 am and is filed under Implants. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.