Body Lift
A body lift consists of an extended tummy tuck or abdominoplasty, complimented by liposuction.
Liposuction
Significant weight loss, pregnancy and ageing can all have a negative impact on how our bodies look, adversely affecting skin quality and muscle tone. The central abdominal muscles are typically separated and weakened. In addition, stubborn pockets of fat can persist, despite an appropriate diet and exercise programme.
A body lift consists of an extended tummy tuck or abdominoplasty, complimented by liposuction. The standard abdominoplasty hip to hip scar is continued around the back so that the excess skin and fat from the abdomen, flanks or love handles and back can be removed. When the abdominal muscles are returned to their original central position and reinforced, the contour of the trunk is improved considerably. An additional scar around the belly button is necessary, so that it can be relocated to a more appropriate position on the newly-contoured abdomen.
FAQs
A body lift is a body-contouring rather than a weight loss procedure. As such, you will get the best results if you have lost any unwanted weight prior to the surgery and have achieved a stable weight in your ideal, healthy weight range. It is absolutely imperative that you have stopped smoking 6 months prior to your surgery. Smoking has catastrophic effects on wound healing and greatly increases your risk of complications in general.
This will depend on your own goals and desires, which will be determined during your consultation. The surgery is performed under general anaesthesia and can take up to 6 hours. It necessitates a longer stay in hospital than a standard abdominoplasty.
You will need to keep your wounds clean and dry for 48 hours after your surgery. Regular reviews are necessary in the early post-operative period. A supportive garment should be worn for 6 weeks. In order to get the best possible aesthetic result, you should tape your scars for the same period of time. Thereafter, massaging your scars and topical silicone will hasten their transition to thin, flat, pale scars.
Your return to work will be determined by the extent of your surgery and what type of job you do. In general, most patients require at least 6 weeks off post-operatively.
Ideally, begin walking early in the post-operative period. It is advisable, however, to avoid core strengthening exercises for 12 weeks. Thereafter, resume your normal exercise programme in a gradual manner.
After your consultation, Dr Collins will provide you with an estimate which will include hospital and anaesthetic costs in addition to the surgical fee. A second surgeon is usually involved to reduce the operative time and hence the risk. Additional, simultaneous procedures will incur additional costs.