Body Lift

Have the negative effects of gravity, or massive weight loss left you with a surplus of sagging skin and soft tissue in the outer thigh, inner thigh, buttock or stomach area? For many people, eating right and exercising is not enough to replace the body contour that time and gravity have taken away. Our four board certified and one board eligible plastic surgeons are here to help you defy the laws of aging and gravity.

Lower body lift surgery has been met with increasing popularity since its development over the past several years. Lower body lift involves re-suspending the skin and soft tissues of the thighs and buttocks and can result in a smoother and more youthful appearance.

Body Lift:
A body lift is a multiple procedure approach to achieving an overall body contour. A tummy tuck, liposuction of the thighs, hips and flanks, and lifting of the buttock may be incorporated in a body lift. The goal is to achieve an overall body contour that removes excess fat, tissue, and sagging skin from the most common problem areas of the body and at the same time tightens and strengthens the muscles of the abdomen and lower body.

Evaluation:
At The Plastic Surgery Group, we are concerned with how we can help you achieve your goals. That means taking the time to listen and work with you to design your desired look. Our customer-focused approach facilitates a more relaxed and comfortable environment, which in turn yields the best results.

The Procedure:
A body lift may begin with a tummy tuck procedure. A tummy tuck starts with a long incision along the bikini line. Underlying muscle and tissue are drawn together narrowing the waistline and strengthening the abdominal wall. The skin is pulled down and excess skin removed. A new opening is cut for the navel. Some scarring is to be expected; however, scars will fade with time.

In conjunction with a tummy tuck, a number of liposuction procedures may be included in your body lift procedure. Liposuction is generally performed with the help of a suction device referred to as a cannula. First, a solution (a mixture of intravenous salt solution, a local anesthetic and a drug that contracts blood vessels) is injected into the fatty areas of the body. This solution helps to suspend fat cells making it easier for them to be removed, reduces blood loss and provides anesthesia during surgery. Techniques vary depending on the patient and the amount of fat and tissue to be removed.

Patient Considerations:
Patients should be aware that a body lift involves multiple areas of the body and that choosing the right plastic surgeon to perform your body lift procedure is very important. At The Plastic Surgery Group our plastic surgeons are board certified by the American Board of Surgery and have years of experience in body lift procedures. Setting realistic expectations from your body lift surgery and discussing those options with your surgeon will help maximize your result.

BMI Qualification:

At The Plastic Surgery Group, the physicians’ top concerns are your well-being, safety, and helping you reach your desired results. When considering body contouring, your BMI, or Body Mass Index, is the main criteria factor used to determine whether you are a good candidate. Please follow this chart to configure your BMI. If your BMI is 30 or above, you are currently not a good candidate for surgical body contouring or Coolsculpting. Please call our office at 513.791.4440 for further assistance or recommendations on weight loss physicians. Once you’ve reached a stable weight with an acceptable BMI, we encourage you to come in for a complimentary consultation. A BMI within healthy range enhances your chances for an optimal outcome.

One of our friendly patient coordinators will share the surgeon’s credentials, answer questions and schedule a complimentary consultation. Find out if you are a good candidate for a body lift procedure by calling The Plastic Surgery Group today at 513.791.4440.

For your convenience, the Redbank Surgery Center is located on the ground floor of 1 Plastic Surgery Plaza and is an AAAASF (American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities) accredited surgical facility with four surgical suites.

Recovery:
Depending on the extent of your surgery, your hospital stay can range from an outpatient procedure to two days. Any discomfort you may feel will be controlled by medication prescribed to you by your TPSG surgeon. Recovery time can be variable as well, but most patients are able to return back to non-strenuous work within three weeks.

Limitations:
Body lift procedures result in the removal of skin; therefore, scarring may occur in the areas where the incision is made. Scars resulting from body lift procedures are easily hidden by most swimsuits and under garments. In many cases, scar lines tend to fade as time passes.

Results:
When patients are properly educated on the body lift procedure, they are normally very satisfied with the outcome. However, it will take a few months to realize the full effects of the procedure.

For more information regarding body lift surgery, come see the cosmetic surgery experts of The Plastic Surgery Group at one of our convenient locations in Cincinnati or Northern Kentucky. Or to schedule your complimentary consultation, click here to contact us. View a Before and After gallery for this procedure here.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How noticeable is the scar?
The scar runs just above the pubic area out to the hip bones. The scar will vary somewhat based on the body size and shape. The scars can easily be hidden by most styles of underwear and bathing suits.

Can my C-section incision be used again?
Yes.

How much downtime will I experience?
Depending on the extent of the surgery, most patients are able to return back to work within three weeks.

Will I need a compression garment? How long will I need it?
Yes, some type of support or compression garment is needed. The amount of time needed will be determined by your surgeon. It is usually worn two to six weeks.

When can I begin to drive again?
This normally varies from patient to patient, but most are able to begin driving within one to three weeks.