A well-toned body with smooth contours often is a sign of fitness achieved by healthy diet and exercise. But exercise cannot always achieve desired results for people who have loose, sagging skin and uneven contours. Aging, sun damage, pregnancy and significant fluctuations in weight as well as genetic factors may contribute to poor tissue elasticity and can result in sagging of the abdomen, buttocks, thighs and upper arms.

A surgical body lift can help improve these issues. It improves the shape and tone of the underlying tissue that supports fat and skin. Excess sagging fat and skin are removed to treat conditions caused in part by poor tissue elasticity. In addition, the procedures(s) can improve a dimpled, irregular skin surface, commonly known as cellulite. A body lift may include:

• Abdominal area, locally or extending around the sides and into the lower back area

• Buttocks, that may be low, flat or shaped unevenly

• Groin that may sag into the inner thigh

• Thigh, including the inner, outer, or posterior thigh or circumferentially

Body lifts are not intended strictly for the removal of excess fat. Liposuction alone can remove excess fat deposits where skin has good elasticity and is able to naturally conform to new body contours. In cases where skin elasticity is poor, a combination of liposuction and body lift techniques may be recommended.

The Surgery

Step 1 – Anesthesia

Anesthesia will be administered by a board-certified M.D. anesthesiologist.

Step 2 – The Incision

Incision length and pattern depend on the amount and location of excess skin to be removed, as well as personal preference and surgical judgment. A complete lower body lift treats the buttocks, abdomen, waist, hips and thighs in one procedure. A circumferential incision around the body removes an apron of excess skin and fat and repositions and tightens tissues.

A combination of liposuction and surgical body lifts may be necessary to achieve an improved contour. Deep support sutures within underlying tissues help to form the newly shaped contours.

Step 3 – Closing the Incisions

Sutures close the incisions.

Step 4 – See the Results

The results of a body lift are visible almost immediately. It may take as long as one to two years for the final results to fully develop.

Making the Wise Choice

Plastic surgery involves many choices. The first and most important is selecting a surgeon you can trust. A doctor’s board certification is one of the best indicators of his or her training. Ask for certification from The American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), the only one of 24 boards approved by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) that certifies physicians in plastic surgery of the face and all areas of the body. To be ABPS board-certified, a physician must meet these rigorous standards:

• Graduate from an accredited medical school

• Complete at least five years of surgical training following medical school with a minimum of two years of plastic surgery residency training

• Pass comprehensive oral and written exams