Body Lift

Have you recently undergone major weight loss, and are now left with excess skin and tissue? To look the best as possible after your weight loss, you may wish to consider a body lift.

Body lifts help to contour the body after you have had a massive weight loss. Body lifts are often a combination of numerous procedures which work to remove excess skin and give new definition to the body. This will leave you with tighter, more youthful looking skin and an increase to your self-esteem and confidence.

There are three different types of body lifts which you may choose to undertake. These are:

• Lower body lift: abdominoplasty, buttock and thigh lift
• Upper body lift: this includes breast reshaping, arm lift and bra line back lift
• Inner thigh lift

A body lift is a suitable procedure for those who have undergone massive weight loss and as a result, have excess skin in numerous places of the body.

This procedure is not suitable for those who have excess fat. If you have good skin elasticity and are wishing to remove excess fat, you may be interested in liposuction.

Centre for Surgery only offers procedures to those who are 18 years or older.

If you are interested in a body lift, you may wish to explore our finance options.

Prior to having any procedure, you will need to have a consultation with one of the surgeons. They will be able to assess your body and determine whether you should have an upper or lower body lift or a thigh lift.

No matter what procedure you undertake, it will be performed under Centre for Surgery’s anaesthetic known as ClearSleep™. You will be asleep for the entire duration of the procedure, however, unlike other general anaesthetics, you will not be relying on any breathing tubes or machines. ClearSleep™ also allows you to wake up faster once the procedure is complete, and you will have a better sense of wellness, meaning you can return home quickly.

So what do the body lift procedures involve?

Lower body lift

Abdominoplasty: an abdominoplasty is otherwise known as a tummy tuck. This allows the surgeon to remove excess skin from the abdominal area, giving you a flatter, more contoured tummy. The abdominoplasty will involve an incision on the abdomen, which usually takes place below the bikini line. The incision will run horizontally from hip to hip. Surgeons will then be able to cut off any excess skin. If you have chosen to have it, liposuction will also be performed to remove any excess fat. The abdominal muscles and skin are then tightened, and the belly button is moved position. The remaining abdomen skin is then pulled down over the incision, which is then closed.

Buttock lift: a buttock lift allows you to remove the excess skin in the buttocks area. Incisions will be made above the buttocks area – this will vary depending on the amount of skin to be removed. The excess skin is removed and the remaining skin is pulled up and closed, leaving you with a tighter buttock.

Thigh lift: a thigh lift is ideal for those who have large thighs with an excess amount of skin. A thigh lift will remove the excess skin and contour the thighs to make them appear more shapely. The exact method used will vary depending on where your excess skin is located and your ideal outcome for the procedure.

Inner thigh lift: as guessed by the name, an inner thigh lift is a procedure which targets the excess fat in the inner thighs. The incision for this procedure will be made where the thigh meets the pubic area. This allows for the resulting scar to easily be hidden. The excess skin in the inner thigh will be removed and the remaining skin will be contoured.

Upper body lift

Breast reshaping: a breast lift helps to breasts to avoid appearing hollow and saggy. This is often appropriate for those who have been pregnant, have had massive weight loss, or have simply aged. 

Arm lift: an arm lift removes the loose and saggy skin from the underside of the arm. An arm lift involves the surgeon making an incision in the arm, running down the underside of the arm. The excess skin will then be removed, and if elected to do so, liposuction will take place to remove any excess fat.

Bra line back lift: this removes the excess fat from the back, particularly around the bra line area. An incision will be made across the back to remove the excess skin, and if needed liposuction will take place to remove any excess fat. Skin will then be pulled across the incision and tightened before being closed. 

Two-stage approach

A lower body lift is most commonly performed in two stages. This allows surgeons to remove as much skin as possible. If all procedures are done in one go, less skin is removed, less tightening is undertaken, and you do not get the satisfactory results you want. The two-stage approach also has benefits for the patient. Following a tummy tuck, you will have to bend or hunch while you are walking, as the skin removed from the abdomen prevents you from standing upright for at least one week. In contrast, after a buttock or thigh lift, you will be straight and upright most of the time, as it will be uncomfortable to sit down. Having the procedures done in two stages allows for the best results and the most comfortable recovery.

Centre for Surgery’s three-step process

Centre for Surgery also offers a body lift in a unique three-step process.

As with all of our procedures, the three-step body lift is offered as a day case, so you will not have to stay overnight in a hospital. However, we can arrange for you to stay in nearby hotels with nursing supervision if necessary.

Our three-step body lift includes:

Stage 1 – extended abdominoplasty and breast lift

Stage 2 – buttock and outer thigh lift and arm lift

Stage 3 – Inner thigh lift

Each stage is completed with two surgeons who work simultaneously. This not only increases the speed of the procedure but also increases safety.

Following a body lift, you will be able to return home the same day, once the effects of the ClearSleep™ have gone.

After the body lift procedure, you may have dressings applied to the incisions. You may also have tubes temporarily placed under the skin in order to drain any blood.

It is normal to experience a moderate level of pain and discomfort for the first three to five days following the procedure. You will also experience swelling for four to six weeks, however, it may take up to three months to completely subside.

You will need to wear a compression garment on all areas which were operated. The compression garments will need to be worn at all times for the first six weeks and then worn during the day for a further six weeks.

You will have to ensure to get lots of rest and make sure to avoid all exercise for two weeks. You will be able to return to your normal physical activities after a total of six weeks.