Body Lift
While losing weight has many health and wellbeing benefits, many people are left unhappy due to the resulting excess or sagging skin. This sagging skin is often accompanied by fat deposits and cellulite. The common areas that these deposits can occur include the mid-section, lower torso and upper legs including the abdomen, waist, inner/outer thighs, buttocks, and/or hips.
A body lift surgical procedure removes the excess skin and fat, providing a solution to sagging or excess skin. After an initial consultation, Dr Dilip Gahankari will assess your individual case and tailor the body lift procedure to suit your specific needs and goals.
Is this procedure for me?
The precise body lift procedure varies with each patient, depending on the body type, problem areas and the desired outcome. Generally, a body lift entails making an incision that follows the upper/inner thigh to the waistline. In more extensive body lift surgeries, the incision goes around the waist and lower back. Adjustments to the buttocks and thighs during a body lift procedure require an incision at the crease of the buttocks. Excess skin is removed, followed by the removal of underlying fat deposits. Finally, the skin is pulled tighter and sutured into the new configuration. Liposuction can also be undertaken in conjunction with a body lift, to ensure the best possible result is achieved.
Pre and Post-Op Care
A body lift is a major surgical procedure and requires a significant amount of recovery time. Pain and discomfort are to be expected in the first week following the body lift procedure, which will be managed with pain medication. You will also be required to wear a compression garment after your body lift surgery.
It is recommended that patients expect to take two to three weeks off work, plus avoiding all other strenuous commitments, to allow the body adequate time to heal. Typically, a patient can expect to resume normal activities after 4 to 6 weeks. The majority of swelling after your body lift surgery should have subsided by the six-week mark, however in some cases it can take as long as three months. Dr Gahankari will discuss your surgical options and explain your expected recovery process during your initial consultation.
What Results Can I Expect?
The body lift surgery renders a visible result that is almost instant, however swelling will be present up to three months after surgery. The final result of this procedure may take a few months to fully develop. Through the removal of fat and excess sagging skin, the area will be slimmer and tighter, resulting in a more contoured and youthful appearance. Patients who have undergone this surgery require plenty of rest and limited movement during the healing period. The scars resulting from the body lift procedure are permanent and can be quite extensive. Therefore, it is important that you choose a qualified and highly experienced surgeon who can carefully place the incisions to minimise scar visibility.