Body Lift in Bucks County, PA & Hunterdon County, NJ
Is a Body Lift Right for Me?
Massive loss of weight through either behavior modification, medication or bariatric surgery can produce dramatic weight loss and with that weight loss comes loose skin, soft tissue and even muscle. . A body lift is a fantastic way to tighten and lift saggy skin in any area of the body. Buinewicz Cosmetic Surgery & MedSpa, located in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, and Flemington, New Jersey and serving the men and women of Hunterdon County, NJ, and Bucks County, PA, conducts body lifts for patients who suffer from excess skin after weight loss. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Brian R. Buinewicz and his team are proud to help people complete their body transformations after they have worked so hard to lose weight.
What is a Body Lift?
A body lift, also known as a belt lipectomy, is a procedure that removes loose, excess skin and fat tissue from torso, abdomen, back, or buttocks. It can dramatically improve contour and proportion after major weight loss or pregnancy. During a body lift, underlying supportive tissues are tightened and the remaining skin envelope is smoothed and contoured for an overall sleeker, firmer physique.
What are the Different Types of Body Lift Surgery?
There are different types of body lift surgeries that can be performed depending on the patient’s treatment goals. At Buinewicz Cosmetic Surgery & MedSpa, common body lift techniques include:
1
Full Body Lift
A full body lift, also called a belt lipectomy, addresses the torso from the abdomen all the way around the back. Incisions encircle the abdomen and extend around the back and upper buttock area. Excess skin and fat are removed from the stomach, love handles, back, outer thighs, and buttocks. The belly button is repositioned higher after tightening the abdominal muscles. It dramatically improves contour and proportion after major weight loss.
2
Upper Body Lift
An upper body lift focuses on reshaping the abdomen, waist, back, and bra line regions. Incisions are made around the middle torso, sometimes continuing vertically around the chest wall and back, and sometimes breast. Loose skin is removed from the stomach, flanks, back, and possibly breasts. Liposuction further sculpts the trunk. It does not address the buttocks or thighs.
3
Lower Body Lift
A lower body lift targets the lower torso including the buttocks, hips, and thighs. Incisions encircle the hips and buttocks, extending down the groin and inner or outer thighs. Excess skin and fat are excised from the buttocks, hips, and thighs. The incisions allow lifting, tightening, and contouring these areas in detail. A lower body lift improves the shape of the buttocks, thighs and reduces saddlebags.
4
Posterior Body Lift
This procedure lifts and sculpts the posterior only - the buttocks, hips, and rear thighs. Incisions are made across the upper buttocks and back and can extend onto the thighs. No abdominal tightening is done. Like a lower body lift, it removes loose rear thigh and buttock skin for a perkier, firmer contour.
5
Back Lift
A back lift specifically addresses loose skin, fat deposits, and bulges across the upper, mid, and lower back. The incision pattern depends on the areas of concern. Excess tissue is removed to smooth and contour the back profile. Liposuction may supplement the excision. It can be combined with an upper body lift.
What Can a Body Lift Accomplish?
- Tighten loose, sagging skin on the abdomen, flanks, back, buttocks, or thighs
- Remove excess skin folds after weight loss or pregnancy
- Create a more toned, contoured figure
- Improve body shape and proportion
- Reduce the appearance of cellulite
- Eliminate overhanging skin that causes chafing and rashes
- Boost confidence in your appearance after childbirth or bariatric surgery
Are You A Candidate For A Body Lift?
The best candidates for a body lift are those who:
- Have significant loose, inelastic skin after pregnancy or major weight loss
- Are bothered by loose skin that causes discomfort and poor fit in clothing
- Are in good health without chronic conditions that impair healing
- Do not smoke or can commit to quitting smoking for several weeks before and after surgery
- Have realistic expectations for scarring and the extent of improvement possible
If you think you might be a good candidate for a body lift, the next step is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Brian R. Buinewicz. During your consultation, Dr. Buinewicz can evaluate your cosmetic goals and help you determine the best path forward. This is a great time to ask any questions you may have about the body lift process. Dr. Buinewicz will be able to explain exactly what you can expect leading up to, during and after your surgery.
Why Choose Dr. Buinewicz?
Surgeon experience is one of the utmost qualities to consider when seeking a body lift surgeon. Dr. Buinewicz is a triple board certified plastic surgeon, demonstrating expertise in all qualities of body surgery. With over 25 years of plastic surgery experience, he has performed hundreds of body lift procedures and is passionate about furthering education in the body surgery community. Read more about Dr. Buinewicz’s experience or explore patient reviews.
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Questions For Your Consult
How Long After a Body Lift Consultation Is the Surgery?
Generally, the time between your consultation and your body lift surgery will be somewhere between 1 and 6 weeks. The exact time between the two will depend on a few factors. One major factor is our practice availability, as Dr. Buinewicz performs your entire procedure. Additionally, some patients may need a few weeks to fully prepare for surgery, which may include discontinuing the use of certain vitamins, drugs and medications that can negatively interfere with treatment.
How Much Does a Body Lift Cost?
What Happens During Body Lift Surgery?
Just as everyone is different, no two body lift procedures are exactly alike. There are, however, commonalities between surgeries. All body lifts require general anesthesia. Local anesthesia is often used to help control bleeding and lessen postoperative pain. Pain blocks are often performed by the anesthesiologist to also help with postoperative pain control. Prior to surgery, Dr. Buinewicz will discuss with you the best places to plan incisions to remove excess skin and also minimize and hide the scars. Before you go to the operating room, you will be marked by Dr. Buinewicz for placement of the planned incisions. Excess or sagging skin as well as excess fat skin is removed. The incisions is then closed in layers, using deep sutures, which support the core tissue. Most of the time drains are placed so no blood or fluid collects under the operative site which could affect your healing.
How Long is Body Lift Recovery?
Week 1
In the first few days of recovery, patients will need to rest as much as possible with very limited activity. This initial recovery period will be focused on incision care, pain management, and very restricted movement. Patients will need help standing, walking, changing positions, and using the restroom.
Week 2-4
Patients are encouraged to start getting up and walking more each day, while still limiting bending, straining, and lifting. The post-surgical drains will be monitored and removed after drainage stops. During this time, you’ll visit Dr. Buinewicz for follow-up appointments to check wounds. Most patients will still require help with daily tasks.
Month 2
During the second month, you can gradually increase mobility and light activity. Patients may return to sedentary work. Walking is encouraged as it will boost circulation and facilitate the healing process. However, you should continue wearing compression garments as advised by Dr. Buinewicz. Refrain from heavy lifting (anything over 5-10 lbs.).
Months 3-6
By 8 weeks, patients may resume light cardiovascular exercise. Around 3 months, patients can advance to full activity without restrictions except impact exercise. Compression garments should continue to be used for up to 6 months.
6 Months and Beyond
After six months, patients may resume exercising and other activities without limitations. Swelling should be almost fully resolved, but final results will still be emerging. Numbness should also be resolved but may persist in some spots. After approximately one year, maximum results will become visible as skin smooths and incision lines continue to fade.
Post Surgery Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Body Lift Better Than a Tummy Tuck?
Choosing between a body lift or tummy tuck depends primarily on the scale of correction desired. For mild to moderate abdominal laxity isolated to the stomach region, a tummy tuck may sufficiently tighten and reshape the area with a relatively quick recovery. But for patients seeking total contouring of the figure after major weight loss, a body lift is ideal for removing hanging, excess skin from the torso. Though body lifts involve more extensive scarring and recovery, they can dramatically improve the entire circumference of the midsection. During your consultation, Dr. Buinewicz can help determine the best procedure for you based on your specific treatment goals.
How Painful is Body Lift Surgery?
Body lift surgery is performed under general anesthesia, so patients do not experience pain during the actual procedure. However, there can be significant discomfort, swelling, and pain during the recovery period after this extensive surgery. The post-operative pain is temporary and manageable with proper pain medication and post-operative care.
What Results Can I Expect From a Body Lift?
The results from your body lift will develop gradually and become most visible around the 6 month mark, after most of the post-operative swelling has resolved. While the excised tissue does not return, the appearance of your remaining skin can change over time due to aging, weight fluctuations, and lifestyle factors. To maintain your optimal shape from a body lift long-term, maintaining a healthy stable weight through diet and exercise is essential. Even with some changes over the years, the dramatic improvements that a body lift provides can last for many years. Periodic touch-up procedures may be desired every 10 years or so to address age-related changes.
What are the Risks of Body Lift Surgery
The most common risks associated with body lift surgery include seroma formation, delayed wound healing, wound separation, asymmetry, contour irregularities, and changes in sensation. Together, however, these complications occur in less than 1% of body lift procedures. Furthermore, Dr. Buinewicz’s focus and expertise on cosmetic surgery techniques help to minimize the risks associated with body lift surgery. As with any major surgery, there will always be risks involved - but under the care of a qualified and experienced surgeon, any significant complications become extremely unlikely.
For more on planning your body lift or to get started with the consultation process, contact us today. Dr. Buinewicz of Buinewicz Cosmetic Surgery & MedSpa specializes in body contouring surgery with extensive experience across many types of plastic surgery. We welcome patients from Hunterdon County, NJ, and Bucks County, PA.