Body Lift Boca Raton & West Palm Beach

While massive weight loss – either through dieting and exercise or a bariatric procedure – is a profound accomplishment that should be celebrated to the fullest, the reality is that after shedding the pounds, patients often encounter excess hanging skin that obscures the figure. A body lift in Boca Raton & West Palm Beach, FL, is a comprehensive procedure to trim redundant, bulky skin folds, allowing for enhanced self-confidence and a wider array of clothing choices.

Sanctuary Plastic Surgery – Discover concierge care in a world-class practice setting

At Sanctuary Plastic Surgery in Boca Raton, our world-renowned team of board-certified plastic surgeons has a reputation for safety, excellence, and concierge care that begins with your first phone call and extends long after you leave the recovery suite. Our group is led by Dr. Jason Pozner, an acclaimed aesthetic artist, mentor, and teacher who is considered to be among the best plastic surgeons in and beyond West Palm Beach, Florida.

What is a body lift?

A body lift in Boca Raton & West Palm Beach, FL, at Sanctuary Plastic Surgery, is performed to sculpt and contour the physique, reshaping the abdomen, hips, thighs, buttocks, and back. It is a more comprehensive and far-reaching procedure than abdominoplasty or even a mommy makeover, and as such, it is ideal for those who have experienced significant weight loss. Excess skin can compromise the figure's appearance and lead to discomfort, chafing, and irritation, lowering the patient’s overall quality of life.

Body lift techniques

During your private, in-depth consultation, we will evaluate the areas where excess skin is present, creating a one-of-a-kind treatment plan that meets your needs. Our experienced, board-certified plastic surgeons can perform one of the following state-of-the-art body lift techniques:

Upper body lift

When excess sagging skin is present in the arms, chest, or upper back, an upper body lift may be the ideal solution. This is a less-performed version of the surgery but it is an excellent solution for patients who need more dramatic changes that can be offered through an arm lift or gynecomastia treatment, for instance. Your surgeon can also combine aspects of an upper body lift with a mid or lower body lift for complete rejuvenation of the physique.

Lower body lift

A lower body lift, also called a belt lipectomy, targets excess skin in the buttocks, hips, waist, and thighs. Redundant skin folds in these areas can lead to chafing and discomfort and can even inhibit everyday movements. Liposuction can be combined with a lower body lift to restore elegant curves and balanced proportions.

What are the benefits of a body lift?

Expands wardrobe options
Improves self-image and self-confidence
Creates a slimmer, more streamlined silhouette
Reduces sweating, chafing, and irritation
Corrects bodily proportions
Enhances mobility and makes exercise easier

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Who is a good candidate for a body lift?

The best candidates for a body lift in Boca Raton & West Palm Beach, FL, are usually patients who have lost over 100 lbs and are unhappy with the skin that has been left behind. Sagging skin can hide the results of massive weight loss by obscuring the thighs, stomach, hips, buttocks, back, and waist, making it difficult for patients to truly enjoy their success after dieting, exercise, or bariatric surgery.

Some patients may only need an extended tummy tuck or liposuction, however, which is why it is so important to attend a detailed consultation with our team of outstanding surgical experts. As with any cosmetic undertaking, patients must be healthy non-smokers who are not currently experiencing any uncontrolled medical problems. Additionally, patients must have optimistic yet realistic expectations when it comes to their results.

Prior to your body lift

Before undergoing a body lift, it is critical that patients are at a stable, healthy weight for their frame. They should adhere to a consistent, balanced diet and have an exercise routine in place that they can stick to. Weight fluctuations can have a disastrous effect on the patient’s cosmetic results after a body lift, so it is important to have weight management tactics in place ahead of time.

Patients will also need to quit smoking at least 4-6 weeks before surgery, as smoking can significantly interfere with the healing process after a body lift. Alcoholic beverages should also be avoided in the weeks leading up to surgery. The patient’s medication schedule may also need to be temporarily revised in order to enhance safety during surgery. All patients should schedule a ride home ahead of time and plan for ongoing assistance with basic chores and childcare during the recovery phase. Pain medication prescriptions should also be filled in advance.

What happens during the procedure?

Every body lift is highly customized to the individual, therefore, no two procedures are quite the same. Patients will receive general anesthesia to ensure their comfort and relaxation during the process. Most patients will be able to return home the same day of surgery; however, some may require an overnight stay under medical supervision. Once the patient is asleep, markings will be created on the skin with a surgical pen according to the predetermined treatment plan. Incisions are then made strategically in precise spots, allowing the surgeon to firm the underlying muscles, remove excess skin, and reshape the torso in a balanced and aesthetically pleasing fashion. Liposuction may be employed as an additional step to eradicate pockets of stubborn fat, further sculpting the physique. Once surgery is complete, the incisions are closed using state-of-the-art suturing techniques that emphasize minimal scarring.

Recovery

Recovery after a body lift can be moderate to extensive, depending on how many areas were addressed during surgery. It is common for patients to need anywhere from two weeks to two months for recovery. While swelling, bruising, and soreness are normal symptoms after major surgery, our team will provide pain medications and compression garments to help mitigate discomfort. Guidelines to follow for the first few weeks of the healing process include:

Prioritizing rest
Taking plenty of short, gentle walks to improve circulation
Emptying and managing drains placed by the surgeon to rid the body of excess fluids
Wearing a compression garment around the clock to reduce swelling
Taking light showers instead of bathing or soaking

Patients will be scheduled for regular follow-up visits to ensure their recovery is progressing smoothly. At around the two-week mark, drains and sutures will be removed. Each patient will receive a detailed and individualized aftercare plan going over topics such as sleeping, resuming exercise, and returning to work.