Who Is a Good Candidate?
The goal of a body lift is to improve the shape and tone of an individual’s body by contouring the underlying tissue. To do this, the surgeon will remove excess fat and sagging skin to improve the overall appearance of the body. A body lift procedure can be performed on the abdominal area, buttocks, and the thigh area. With that in mind, it’s important to note that a body lift procedure is not a replacement for proper diet and exercise, and the procedure is not intended strictly for the removal of excess fat. Should you need excess fat removed, your surgeon may suggest combining your body lift procedure with a liposuction procedure.
At The Vu Center, we look for candidates who have significant areas of soft tissue that are loose or sagging. Additionally, we look for candidates who are healthy, nonsmokers, and have realistic expectations about their desired results. During your consultation, your surgeon will talk to you about your surgical goals, but it’s important to understand that not every individual’s body is the same, and your results may not look the same as another patient’s.
Before Surgery
Prior to scheduling the date of your surgery, you will be required to schedule a consultation with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons. The consultation is an important step and allows the surgeon to fully explain the procedure, expectations for recovery, and any options you may have regarding your surgery. This is also a great time for you to ask any questions you have, as well as explain your goals for the results of this procedure.
Once you and the surgeon have discussed the body lift procedure, they will then have you schedule a date and time for your surgery. You may also receive a list of pre-op instructions that you will need to follow leading up to your body lift surgery to help reduce the risk of complications during the procedure or recovery process. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to a friendly member of our staff at The Vu Center.
The Body Lift Procedure
If you are considering a body lift procedure, it’s important to note that this type of procedure requires extensive incisions. The length and number of incisions are determined by what area you plan to address, and your surgeon will go over what you can expect during your consultation.
On the day of your surgery, the surgical team will start by administering either intravenous sedation or general anesthesia to make you more comfortable during the procedure — your surgeon will discuss which option is best for you prior to the surgery. Once you are sedated, the surgeon will then make the necessary incisions. The most common type of incision used for a body lift procedure is to make an incision in a bikini pattern around the front and back of the patient. This allows the surgeon to tighten the abdomen, waist, groin, thigh, and buttock areas all at once. Once the procedure is complete, the surgeon will close the incisions.
Results and Recovery
Following your procedure, there may be bandages or dressings covering the incisions. Your surgeon or a nurse will provide you with detailed instructions on how to care for your incisions while your body recovers. At The Vu Center, we want to ensure that you are comfortable with your recovery plan, so if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask.
With a body lift procedure, the final results are visible almost immediately. Your body may be slightly swollen around the incision area, but that will go down as you heal. With that in mind, it may take two years or more for body lift results to fully develop and scars to heal.
Interested in a Body Lift?
If you are interested in a body lift procedure, our talented surgeons at The Vu Center are here to help. We want all of our patients to feel comfortable and confident in their own skin. Explore our website to learn more about the plastic and cosmetic procedures that we offer, and if you’re ready to move forward with a body lift, reach out to our Portland plastic surgery clinic to schedule a consultation today!
Schedule a Consultation!
At The Vu Center in Portland, we want to ensure that all of our patients are happy and comfortable with each step of the procedure. We are here to support you, so if you have any questions or you are ready to schedule a consultation, give us a call. We look forward to hearing from you!