Loose sagging skin is not only unsightly; it can get in the way of normal activities or movement, limit clothing choices and cause shame and embarrassment. Aging, pregnancy, certain genetic skin conditions, and major weight loss can result in skin that has lost its elasticity and seems to no longer fit the body. Orange County plastic surgeon Dr. Savalia uses body lift surgery to correct the problem of excessive hanging skin.

Am I a candidate for body lift surgery?

If you have successfully lost a significant amount of weight through changes in your eating habits or activities, or through bariatric surgery, post weight loss cosmetic surgery such as a body lift may be a good option to eliminate any excess skin. Choosing to undergo a body lift after weight loss is an excellent way to enhance your new slimmer figure.

What can I expect during the body lift procedure?

Dr. Savalia performs body lift surgery in an Orange County hospital. The duration of this procedure varies depending on your body mass index and the complexity of the procedure. Body lift, especially for post-bariatric surgery patients, combines several body contouring techniques into a single comprehensive procedure, and could last from 4 to 8 hours under general anesthesia. Performed after weight loss surgery, body lift removes excess skin and fat from many commonly affected areas such as the arms, thighs, abdomen, and buttocks. Procedures performed during a body lift include liposuction, tummy tuck, arm lift, thigh lift, butt lift, and breast lift or breast augmentation.

Because every area of the body is worked on at the same time, Dr. Savalia can achieve a natural-looking, aesthetically pleasing result in only one surgery, rather than having multiple surgeries over many months.

What is recovery from a body lift procedure like?

The body lift surgery is considered a major procedure and you will need a significant amount of recovery time to heal. Usually you will stay in the hospital 2 to 3 nights following your procedure. Any discomfort and pain will be managed via intramuscular or intravenous pain medications and then gradually switched over to oral pain medications. Once released, you will be on a specific plan for diet; this should be followed exactly to help decrease any risks of problems and complications after surgery.

A garment for compression purposes will also be given to you to wear; you must keep this on continuously, removing only when you are taking a shower or bath. Bandages and dressings applied post operatively will be removed within 2 days following surgery. Naturally, you should expect many restrictions on physical activities and recovery periods are normally about 8 weeks. Swelling will start dissipating in about 6 weeks and should be almost completely be gone within 3 months.

For more information on body lift, please call or email Dr. Savalia at our Orange County-area plastic surgery office.

Contact Dr. Savalia, Orange County Body Lift Surgeon