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A body lift addresses loose drooping
body tissue and transforms patients that have experienced
massive weight loss and have excess skin.
It is a combination of procedures
resulting in a dramatic makeover of the mid and
lower body. It reshapes the abdomen, hips, thighs,
and buttocks and usually involves several procedures
over time to address the entire body: a lower body
lift, also known as a belt lipectomy; breast
lift; arm
lift; and upper body lift.
The lower body lift itself may
include a tummy
tuck (abdominoplasty)
and a thigh
lift.
The lower body lift (belt lipectomy)
has the advantage that it may be done in one
surgical session, or in stages, depending on
the patient's needs.
What do you want to change?
The body lift procedure is performed on post
bariatric patients as well as patients who have
not had weight loss. Loose sagging skin just does
not look good and gets in the way of normal activities
or movement. Aging, pregnancy, certain genetic skin
conditions, and major weight loss can result in
lax hanging tissues.
People with high body fat should
consider weight loss options first. The fat inside
the abdominal cavity should not be excessive so
that the surgery can flatten the abdomen. When lying
down, the stomach should not project above the ribs.
Different degrees of sagging can
exist around the body. Dr. Chartchai will guide
you as to the type of body sculpture procedures
are most appropriate for you, trading off the resulting
scars with the benefits you will receive.
After significant weight loss
tissue can only shrink a certain amount, leaving
excessive loose drooping skin and supporting structures.
The hanging skin can make it difficult to maintain
hygiene, find fitting clothing, and force bothersome
adjustments of flesh with activities like sitting
down or standing up.
After major weight loss, when
individuals often want quick results, body lift
surgery is best postponed until the skin and tissue
have stabilized. The time to stabilization can vary
from 6-18 months depending on many factors.
When standing in front of a mirror,
look at your abdomen. Use your thumb and palm of
your hand to hold one edge of skin on your lower
abdomen and then grasp the lower skin with all four
fingers. If you like how your skin tightens, and
the way your pubic mound lifts, you are a candidate
for an abdominoplasty
procedure.
Now pinch the loose skin around
your hips. See how it lifts the hips and thighs.
If you like this maneuver, you are a candidate for
the lateral thigh
lift. Together with an abdominoplasty,
this is considered an extended
abdominoplasty.
Recovery time
Following the body lift procedure patients should
plan to be out of work for 3 weeks. Some patients
can resume limited work functions after 2 weeks.
If you are a traveling patient, you should plan
to stay in Bangkok for 2 weeks before taking a flight.
Possible complications
Body lift surgery is not a weight loss tool.
It is a resuspension sculpture. It is not an alternative
to losing weight or a motivational tool. When you
lose weight, you cannot predict where the fat will
come from. Plastic surgery can redefine or rebalance
your body after you lose weight.
If you have major weight loss
after a body lift, this can result in further tissue
sagging.
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