The term Body Lift as evolved to mean a great many things. Most often the body lift is thought of as a removal of tissue around the entire midsection and includes an abdominoplasty.
The body lift can sometimes be performed in a single surgery or can be performed in stages. Safety is the most important issue in deciding the type of body lift procedure that Dr. Lowenstein will recommend.
Body lifting can also include limited resection of excess tissue on the side of the body or the back, and these contouring procedures can aid in creating a more pleasing and defined figure. Body lifting procedures are best tailored to your individual needs and so a comprehensive plan will be developed by our team to provide you with the best, safest outcome using the latest technologies available.
Body lifts are often performed in concert with arm lifts, thigh lifts, and often breast lifts in women. If you are concerned with extra skin and/or drooping tissue in areas of your body, consider developing an individualized plan for improvement with Dr. Lowenstein’s team at the Center.
Good candidates for body lifts have excess tissue hanging off of the mid section, and often have an apron of skin excess that falls over their waist in the front. The best candidates have more skin excess than fat, though both fat and skin can be addressed with a body lift.
At your consultation you will meet with Dr. Lowenstein and his staff. Dr. Lowenstein will listen to your goals and examine your body. You will learn about the different options for your surgery and expectations for your postoperative outcome. Because body lifting can be tailored to your needs in so many different ways, Dr. Lowenstein will discuss a detailed plan of action for addressing all of your concerns.
One of our Center’s patient care coordinators will then review logistical information including schedule options and financial arrangements in a pressure-free atmosphere. Ask your coordinator for a tour of the operating facilities if you would like to see where the surgery is performed. Your entire consultation should take about an hour.
Your surgery will take place in our Center’s state of the art AAAASF accredited operating facility. You will be instructed to arrive about an hour before surgery begins, and you will meet with our nursing staff, our anesthesia provider, and Dr. Lowenstein prior to surgery. Dr. Lowenstein will place marks on your body to aid in the surgery. All questions will be answered to maximize your comfort and those who will be taking care of you after your surgery. Your care giver will be given specific written instructions and have plenty of time to review them during your procedure.
Once in the operating room, an IV will be placed and you will be given medication to help you relax further before falling off to sleep. The operation takes approximately 3 hours after which you will be gently awakened and brought to the only private recovery room in Santa Barbara. After a bit of further recovery, your care giver will be brought in to see you, review instructions, and take you home.
You will feel tired and sore for a few days following your surgery, but you should up moving around. Periodic walking is a necessity after any aesthetic surgery. Most of your discomfort and/or pain will be well controlled by medications prescribed by Dr. Lowenstein. Additional prescriptions may include antibiotics and special medications to treat nausea in the rare instance that is an issue.
Your dressings will be changed in the first visit back to our Center on the day after surgery. Showering may be postponed until your drains are removed. A compressive garment will be required for the first 3-4 weeks after your surgery to aid in healing, but this can be well hidden under your clothes as your recovery progresses.
It is often possible to return to work within 10-14 days, depending on your job and you may begin driving 10-14 days after surgery. Vigorous activities should be restricted for 3 weeks as well as lifting anything over 10 pounds. Exercise that may increase your heart rate above 100 beats per minute should be avoided for 3 weeks. Swelling will progressively improve but should be largely resolved in a month.
Body lifts are associated with a linear scar in the region of the incision, but our state of the art techniques for scar therapy using Embrace Scar Therapy have been effective in minimizing the appearance of scars after body lift procedures.
