Reasons for Considering a Body Lift:

• Reshape mid-body contour.
• Correct sagging skin and fat due to aging or excessive weight loss.
• Remedy weight gain and stretched skin caused by multiple pregnancies.

A body lift, also known as a belt lipectomy, is a procedure designed to raise and reshape unsightly, sagging body contours.  After massive weightloss, many men and women are left with loose skin and fat that simply won't disappear! Patients who are aging also note a loss in skin elasticity, which causes the mid-section to lose its natural shape and firmness.  Diet and exercise will not remedy these problem areas, and thus removal of this extra tissue is required.  A body lift or belt lipectomy is a procedure designed to remove these loose skin and fat deposits, thus, providing a more youthful appearance and a "swimsuit-worthy" body.

All body lift procedures are performed under general anesthesia.  Because this is a major operation, many patients may need to spend one night in the hospital or at least have 24 hour care at their home.  The operation starts in the preoperative area with marking of the incision and the loose skin and fat that will be removed.  Afterwards, the patient is taken into the operating room and anesthesia is started.  The first part of the operation is performed with the patient on their stomach and later the patient is flipped over (while asleep) to their back.  Incisions are made low on the lower back, hips, and abdomen around the body.  Liposuction is used to contour the buttock and hip regions.  Excess skin and fat are removed circumferentially.  After this is removed, several small drainage tubes are placed into the "space" created by tissue removal.  The incisions are then closed with sutures placed under the skin.  In the end, patients have a low scar that travels around their entire torso.

It is important to note that a body lift procedure is actually 5 operations in 1.  Therefore, the procedure takes 4-8 hours to complete.  In the end, it includes liposuction, a tummy tuck, a buttock lift, a hip/outer thigh lift, and a pubic area lift.  The results of the operation are immediately visible, though improve over several weeks as the swelling subsides.  The scar is obviously long (as it goes around the entire body), but can be nearly invisible after 2 years if agressive scar care techniques are utilized.

The most feared complication of a body lift is a blood clot in the leg or lung.  This results from stagnant blood flow in the legs.  During the operation, special squeezing devices and stockings are used to keep the blood moving.  After surgery, it becomes the patient's responsibility to prevent clots.  This is done by walking every 3 hours and moving the legs frequently while resting.  Many patients are also given daily blood-thinning shots to further prevent clot formation.  With frequent mobility, blood clots risks are minimized.  Other smaller complications of this operation include wide scars (which can be revised), small openings in tighter areas (which will close), minor skin infections, and small fluid collections that can be drained in the office.

Local anesthetic will be placed into the incisional areas while under anesthesia.  This generally results in 4-6 hours of comfort immediately after surgery.  Oral pain medications and muscle relaxants are then used to keep discomfort to a minimum.  Most patients report being "uncomfortable," but not in extreme pain after surgery.  Because drains will be present and because of the large incisions, we generally encourage patients to stay home for 2 weeks after surgery (though it is acceptable to go to dinner or walk outdoors as desired).  We also encourage our patients to plan for 4-6 weeks off of work to ensure adequate healing.  After 6 weeks, most patients can return to all activities including exercise.

Overall, this operation is a significant undertaking with huge results!   Patients love being able to wear fitted clothes without unsightly buldges and almost all feel that the short-term discomfort was well worth the long-term benefits!  If you are interested in a body lift procedure, please call our office for a personal consultation with Dr. Dampier.