Body Lift Surgery

Dr. Malek will choose the best option for anesthesia, however intravenous sedation and general anesthesia are generally administered. A combination of fat transfer or liposuction may also be used in order for better body contouring with any of these procedures.

Essentially a 360-degree tummy tuck, a lower body lift is a procedure in which the incision extends in a complete circle around the patient’s waist. Targeting skin and fat from both above and below the incision, this method is most efficient on patients who suffer from excess skin and fat from these targeted regions: lower back, flanks, upper thighs, buttocks, and hips. This procedure is less invasive and less comprehensive than a total body lift.

In essence a lower body lift, with the addition of abdominal muscle repair (tummy tuck). This is most often recommended for people who suffer from strained abdominal muscles from pregnancy or weight loss.

Combinations are best based on an individual’s needs, but an upper body lift may include a combination of an arm lift and a breast lift. This is best for people who have had significant weight loss or pregnancy and now have excess skin and fatty tissue in these regions.

Total body lift is a surgery that is best for people who have lost skin elasticity in most areas of the body. The most invasive form of body lifts, this procedure is basically a combination of all above mentioned methods and is the most comprehensive. It removes excess skin and fatty tissue found in the arms, breasts, abdomen, hips, upper thighs, buttocks, flanks, and mid and lower back regions. The surgery may be broken up into different sessions because of the complexity of the procedure.

Recovery time depends greatly on the extent of the procedure(s) performed. Specific instructions will be given that will include medication directions, how to dress and re-bandage surgical sites, safe level of activity, compression garment instructions, and follow up visits. A full recovery may take up to 4 to 6 weeks for lower body lifts and longer for total body lifts. Strenuous activities should be avoided for a few months. Patients can typically return to a job that is not physically demanding in 4 to 6 weeks.