What is Body Lift/Contouring?
A body lift or contouring procedure is a cosmetic surgery that is designed to address sagging skin in various parts of the body. The ultimate goal of the procedure is to tone and smooth out the skin all over the body, and this is primarily accomplished by removing excessive fat and skin tissue in areas where it has become prone to sagging or drooping.
How does a Body Lift/Contouring procedure work?
A body lift operation generally works to eliminate tissue from the midsection and the lower portion of the body. This is done with a series of incisions around the stomach and waist. A combination of liposuction therapy and surgical lifting mechanisms will be used to remove excess tissue from this part of the body and to stretch out the underlying tissue, thereby making it appear more tight and taut. Support sutures will typically be installed in deep tissue underneath the incisions, to help support continued lifting of the body.
What areas of the body will this procedure treat?
A body lift is a variable procedure that can effectively be used to treat a number of different areas in the body. Most commonly, this operation is used to improve the appearance of the stomach, waist, hips, thighs and buttocks. The scope of the operation, as well as the cost, the risks and the recuperation time, will all be dependent upon the exact parts of the body that are included in the body lift.
Who is a candidate for Body Lift/Contouring?
Because body lift operations tend to be very invasive, they are generally performed only on healthy adults. Patients who are still growing and developing are not successful candidates for this operation, and neither are patients who may have heart conditions, diabetes or other medical conditions which may increase the risk of dangerous side effects as a result. To determine whether this operation may be appropriate for you, consult with your doctor.
How is the procedure performed?
The procedure begins with a series of consultations to determine the exact goals of the operation. When the operation is set to take place, general anesthesia will be administered. The surgeon will begin by making an incision or, in some cases, a set of incisions around the abdomen. Liposuction techniques will typically be used next to eliminate excess fat and tissue from this area. Lifting and support sutures will be installed via the incision in order to providing a lifting benefit for the areas affected.
What is the recovery like?
Due to the invasive nature of this procedure, the recovery tends to be more significant than that for other cosmetic operations. In many cases, it may be a period of weeks before the patient can return to an entirely normal lifestyle. Most patients utilize pain killers and antibiotics to ensure a healthy and speedy recovery, and patients can often return to moderate activity within a couple of weeks.
