Many patients are familiar with common plastic surgery procedures, such as a tummy tuck, breast augmentation, and rhinoplasty. These procedures are very effective for addressing concerns with a single area of your body, but what should you do when you have concerns with multiple areas of your body? In this case, your surgeon may discuss various types of body lift procedures with you, as they can help restore a more youthful and healthy appearance to several areas of your body with one surgery.
If you are interested in learning more about body lift procedures, then today’s post is for you. We will review what a body lift is (and what it is not), as well as the different kinds of procedures and who is considered an eligible candidate for the surgery. Read on to learn more, then contact Boulder Valley Plastic Surgery to schedule your consultation with Dr. Swail.
What Is a Body Lift?
As we age, our skin begins to lose its elasticity. When you factor in genetics, pregnancy, weight fluctuations, and other contributing factors, it is not surprising that certain areas of our body have a hard time keeping up. Sagging, loose skin that can make an individual look and feel older than they really are, and a body lift procedure can help restore youthful contours to the body.
During the procedure, an incision will be made and an apron of skin, excess tissue, and fat will be removed from the body. The remaining tissue is then repositioned and tightened. Body lift procedures are not the same as liposuction and they are not meant to just remove excess fat. However, liposuction may be performed in conjunction with body lift procedures to achieve the desired contour.
What Are the Different Types of Body Lift Procedures?
Upper-Body
Patients who are unhappy with the appearance of their upper body may opt to have an upper-body surgery to correct their aesthetic concerns. This procedure addresses the arms, breasts, and/or back. It is an effective way of removing excess tissue from weight loss, smoothing out rolls of fat on the back, and lifting breasts that sag.
Mid-Body
Are you self-conscious when wearing form-fitting clothes because of loose skin or excess fat in your abdominal region or your lower back area? A mid-body lift removes excess skin and fat from your midsection, allowing for a smoother contour between the buttocks and abdomen. The abdominal wall will be tightened during the procedure, and muscle damage from pregnancy can be repaired at the same time.
Lower-Body
A lower-body lift is one of the most popular because it removes extra tissue and fat from the thighs and hips. Additionally, the buttocks tissue is lifted in the process. This procedure relies on a circumferential incision around the midsection the allow for lifting and repositioning of the lower skin. Scarring is one of the drawbacks of lower-body lifts, but Dr. Swail positions the incision where the resulting scar will be least noticeable.
Total-Body
In the instance when a patient has concerns with several areas of their body, a combination body lift may be completed. Often called a total-body or whole-body lift, this procedure is quite extensive in nature, and that means that the recovery period can be much longer than that of individual lift procedures. If you are considering a total-body lift, it is important to understand the possible risks and to have reasonable expectations about potential outcomes.
Who Is a Candidate for a Body Lift?
If you have large amounts of excessive soft tissue in one or more areas of your body, then a body lift procedure may be a viable option for you to achieve a more balanced, youthful body contour. A qualified candidate is a non-smoker who is committed to living a healthy lifestyle, and you must not have medical conditions that affect healing after surgery or increase the risk of surgery. Additionally, a positive outlook and realistic goals are a must for optimal results.
Body Lift Procedures in Boulder
Would you like to learn more about body lift procedures? Whether you are unhappy with the appearance of your upper-, mid-, or lower-body, or a combination of the three, Boulder Valley Plastic Surgery is here to help. During your consultation with Dr. Swail, you can discuss your concerns and ask him any questions you have about body lift procedures. In turn, Dr. Swail will determine whether or not you are a candidate for the surgery, explain the benefits and risks of the proposed procedure, and help you develop reasonable expectations about the outcome. Call our Boulder plastic surgery center today to schedule your consultation.