Efforts to maintain a healthy lifestyle, such as eating a balanced diet and staying active, are great for improving overall health and energy. These habits support your body’s ability to function well and help you achieve various fitness goals. However, no amount of diet or exercise can address certain aesthetic concerns, such as loose or sagging skin.
Loose skin often results from significant weight loss, aging, or pregnancy, and traditional methods like exercise or diet cannot correct it. This is because the skin’s elasticity is limited and, once stretched, may not return to its original state. At Tarola Plastic Surgery in Murfreesboro, TN, we offer body lift procedures that can redefine your body contours by removing excess skin and enhancing your natural shape.
What Is a Body Lift?
A body lift focuses on reshaping areas of the body where loose, sagging skin has developed, often after major weight loss or aging has caused the skin to stretch. It does this by removing excess skin and tightening the remaining tissue. This approach treats areas where stretched skin cannot snap back on its own.
What Areas Are Commonly Treated With a Body Lift?
- Abdomen: The abdomen is one of the most frequently treated areas during a body lift. This involves removing excess skin that often remains after weight loss or pregnancy and tightening the underlying tissue to create a flatter, firmer midsection.
- Buttocks: Sagging or flattened buttocks can also benefit from a body lift. The procedure can lift and reshape this area while balancing it with the rest of your body.
- Thighs: Excess skin on the inner or outer thighs is a common concern addressed with loose skin removal surgery. By smoothing and tightening this area, patients notice an improvement in comfort, contour, and mobility.
- Groin: The groin area may develop sagging skin that affects appearance and daily activities. Loose skin removal surgery in this region can help flatten the skin and make the transition to other areas smoother.
- Upper Arms: If you’re noticing sagging skin, often called “bat wings,” along your upper arms, a body lift can address this area to create a smoother, more toned appearance. This can be especially beneficial if your skin has stretched due to weight changes over time.
Body Lift With Liposuction
A body lift can be combined with liposuction to resolve excess skin and stubborn fat deposits at the same time. While the body lift focuses on removing loose skin and tightening the surrounding tissues, liposuction removes fat from areas more prone to resist weight loss such as the abdomen or thighs. Together, these procedures treat multiple aesthetic concerns in one comprehensive approach.
What Are the Benefits of a Body Lift?
Address Multiple Areas in One Procedure
A body lift combines treatments for loose skin across several areas into a single surgery. While each of these areas can be surgically corrected on their own, there are many benefits to combining surgeries for different areas into one appointment. Patients benefit from a streamlined process and more comprehensive results with only one recovery period instead of multiple.
Remove Excess Weight From Weight Loss or Pregnancy
Weight loss or pregnancy can leave stretched skin that doesn’t shrink back, even with a healthy lifestyle. A lower body lift removes this loose skin from the abdomen, hips, and thighs. This can help improve discomfort caused by chafing or skin irritation while addressing aesthetic concerns, too.
Enhance Skin Quality in Specific Areas
In areas like the thighs, buttocks, or arms, loose skin can create a creased or sagging appearance. A body lift tightens and smooths the remaining skin, helping it lie more evenly against the body. In some cases, stretch marks are removed with the loose skin and can improve the texture of skin in the area.
Long-Lasting Results With the Right Maintenance
The results of a post-weight loss skin removal procedure, such as a body lift, can be enjoyed for many years when paired with healthy habits. By maintaining a stable weight and staying active, patients find that their improved contours remain consistent over time. While natural aging affects the skin, the tightened tissue and enhanced shape achieved with this procedure tend to last.
What to Expect From Your Body Lift Procedure
Consultation
Your consultation is a chance for us to talk about your concerns, goals, and medical history to see if a body lift is a good fit for you. It’s also the perfect time to ask questions and learn how the procedure can address areas of loose skin that are bothering you. We’ll take a close look at your overall health to ensure this surgery aligns with your needs and expectations.
Planning Your Surgery
Once the consultation is complete, we’ll create a customized surgical plan. We’ll decide which areas to include in your body lift and map out the steps for your procedure. Planning also includes discussing preparation guidelines such as maintaining a stable weight before surgery and any lifestyle adjustments needed to optimize recovery.
Incision Type and Placement
The incisions for a body lift are carefully planned to minimize visible scarring while providing the best possible results. Depending on the areas being addressed, incisions may be placed along the lower abdomen, thighs, or buttocks, typically in locations that can be concealed under clothing. We’ll explain exactly where the incisions will be and how they contribute to the skin tightening and reshaping process.
Anesthesia
General anesthesia is used for body lift procedures. This means you’ll be asleep throughout the surgery and won’t experience any pain during the process. We work closely with board-certified anesthesiologists to promote safe and effective administration of anesthesia for each procedure.
Time in Surgery
The time required for a body lift varies based on the number of areas being treated. Most procedures take several hours to complete since they often involve multiple areas of the body. We will provide a detailed timeline during the planning stage so you know what to expect on the day of surgery.
Post-Surgery Recovery
After the procedure, you’ll spend some time in our care so we can make sure your initial recovery goes smoothly. We will give you compression garments to reduce swelling and support healing. We will also make sure you recover properly from your anesthesia, confirm that you have a ride home, and see you safely to the car.
What to Expect From Body Lift Recovery
After your body lift, dressings and bandages will be applied to protect your incisions and promote healing. Small drainage tubes may also be placed near the surgical sites to help remove excess fluid and reduce swelling during the first few days. These are removed at a follow-up appointment, and we’ll provide you with clear instructions on how to care for them while they’re in place.
We’ll show you how to clean the incision sites and apply any recommended ointments or dressings to support healing. Avoid excessive movement in the treated areas during the early stages. We’ll let you know which activities should be avoided at first and which can be safely resumed in the first 24 hours. Discomfort can be managed with prescribed medications, and we’ll provide advice on how to stay comfortable during the initial healing phase.
The recovery timeline varies by individual, but many patients can resume light activities within two to three weeks. Initial healing of the incisions generally occurs within 7 to 14 days, though it’s normal to experience some swelling during this time. Swelling will gradually decrease over several months as your body continues to heal, and you’ll notice your final results taking shape during this period. We’ll be with you every step of the way to monitor your progress and promote a smooth recovery.
FAQs About Body Lift Surgery
Will I Have Visible Scars After Body Lift Surgery?
Because a body lift involves excess skin removal surgery, incisions are necessary, and some scarring is expected. However, we carefully plan incision placement to keep scars as discreet as possible, often positioning them where they can be hidden by clothing. Over time, scars typically fade, and we provide guidance on caring for your skin to minimize their appearance such as using scar-reducing treatments or silicone sheets as part of your recovery process.
Is a Body Lift Permanent?
The results of a bodylift are long-lasting, as the excess skin removed during surgery will not return. However, maintaining these results depends on keeping a stable weight and leading a healthy lifestyle. Major weight fluctuations or pregnancy after surgery can impact the outcome, potentially causing new skin laxity. We’ll discuss strategies for preserving your results, including diet, exercise, and follow-up care to support your long-term goals.
Am I a Good Candidate for Body Lift Surgery?
A body lift is not suitable for everyone. Good candidates are non-smokers who are in overall good health and free from medical conditions that could affect surgery or healing. It’s also important to have realistic expectations about the results and understand what a body lift can and cannot achieve. Patients should be prepared to maintain a healthy lifestyle after surgery to preserve their results over time. During your consultation, we’ll discuss your medical history, goals, and any questions you may have to determine if this procedure is the right choice for you.
What Is the Difference Between a Body Lift and a Tummy Tuck?
While both surgeries address excess skin, a body lift targets multiple areas such as the abdomen, thighs, and buttocks, making it a more comprehensive option for those with widespread skin laxity. A tummy tuck focuses on the abdominal area and also involves surgical methods to tighten abdominal separation. We’ll help you decide which procedure aligns with your goals during your consultation.
How Should I Prepare for My Body Lift Surgery?
Proper preparation for your loose skin surgery can make your recovery smoother and reduce stress. Before your surgery, pick up any prescribed medications, compression garments, and other essentials. Prepare a recovery space at home where you can rest without having to get up too often for supplies. You’ll also need to arrange for time off work and plan for someone to assist you during the first few days post-surgery.
Will I Lose Weight With Body Lift Surgery?
A lower body lift is not designed for weight loss. While some fat may be removed if liposuction is included, this amount does not significantly affect your overall weight. The procedure is best suited for patients who have already achieved their weight loss goals and are looking to address the remaining loose skin.
How Much Does a Body Lift Cost?
The cost of loose skin surgery varies depending on the extent of the procedure and the areas being treated. Factors like the surgeon’s experience, facility fees, and anesthesia also affect the total price. During your consultation, we’ll provide a detailed breakdown of costs and discuss financing options, if needed. We offer Allē Payment Plans, powered by Cherry to help make this more manageable.
Learn More About Your Surgeon
Dr. Nicholas Tarola is a board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in advanced cosmetic and reconstructive procedures for the face, breast, and body. With training from institutions such as Thomas Jefferson University and Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Dr. Tarola brings extensive expertise to his practice. He focuses on providing compassionate care with a special emphasis on cosmetic breast and body procedures, including restoring natural contours after weight loss, pregnancy, or breast implant removal. Procedures are performed at a fully accredited surgical center.
Take the Next Step Toward a Sculpted, Toned Body With a Body Lift Consultation
At Tarola Plastic Surgery, we offer an out-of-town program designed to make the body lift experience as seamless as possible for patients traveling to Murfreesboro, TN. This includes virtual consultations to help you plan your procedure, along with resources for transportation and hotel accommodations. These conveniences allow patients from outside the area to access expert care without unnecessary stress.
Whether you are from out of town or the local area, if you’re ready to take the next step, fill out our online form, or call us at (615) 624-8914 to schedule a consultation.
