What is a body lift?
Following a significant weight loss in a short period of time, excess skin does not always return to the new shape of the body. Often this means that patients are unfortunately left with large amounts of loose skin that needs to be reshaped.

In other cases, not related to huge weight loss, patients may want to reshape their bodies using a combination of different surgical procedures in addition to liposuction. Body contouring (or body lift) combines several procedures over a period of time.

This may include a breast lift to improve shape; a facelift to rejuvenate the face; an abdominoplasty to contour the abdomen, hips and buttocks; brachioplasty to lift the upper arms and a thigh lift to reshape the upper areas of the legs.

Realistic expectations
It is impossible to address all these aspects of body reshaping during one operation. However it is possible to combine two or more surgical procedures over a period of time. In some cases two operations can be carried out at the same time (such as a tummy tuck and breast lift) but you must discuss the practicality of this with your surgeon.

You must have realistic expectations about what a body lift can achieve for you. It will not change your personality or make people treat you differently. Everyone is individual and surgery will not transform you into someone else. It is critical that you spend time thinking about what you want to achieve from surgery and talk about your hopes with your surgeon.

What happens during consultation?
The surgeon will discuss your medical history and need to know why you want a specific series of procedures to gain a complete understanding of what you want to achieve. It is important that you are completely honest and your expectations are realistic.

Your surgeon will then draw up a blueprint for your new body shape and discuss the realistic options available to you as well as the combination of treatments that may be required.

Getting the most out of your consultancy
Often in cases where clients are unhappy with the results of surgery it is because they did not discuss their expectations thoroughly or were afraid to talk about the outcome or risks.

You have to make an informed decision before signing the consent form so ask plenty of questions. You want to feel relaxed, confident and completely understand what will happen during surgery.

You may want to know:

• About the surgeon’s qualifications.
• How many operations of your procedure are carried out each year.
• How you prepare for the surgery.
• What realistic results can be expected and when.
• How long the results will last.
• About side-effects and possible complications.
• How long it will take to recover.
• About the extent of scarring and how it will change in time.
• What happens if anything goes wrong.

Preparing for surgery

• Avoid alcohol, aspirin, garlic and food oils at least a week before surgery as they can cause excessive bleeding.
• Do not eat or drink anything six hours before general anaesthetic (if you require this).
• The surgeon and anaesthetist need to know your medical history and if you are on any medication.
• You will be advised of any health checks or X-rays required before your procedure.
• Prior to the procedure you will meet your surgeon who will assess and discuss your queries.
• Try and give up smoking a couple of weeks before your procedure as it interferes with healing processes.
• Avoid excessive exposure to the sun before surgery.

What happens during surgery?
This depends on the type of procedure you require and the combination of operations that have been agreed upon. You will be placed under general or local anaesthesia while the procedures are carried out.

In the areas of the body that are to be reshaped, the surgeon will make incisions and gently lift the skin and fat from the area beneath. After the excess skin and fatty tissue is removed, the incisions are closed. Often, to help the healing process and to remove a build up of fluids, surgical drains may be inserted.

After the operation is carried out, dressings are applied and in some cases a compression garment used to support the area while it heals.

Different areas of the body that need reshaping require specific procedures please refer to our pages on breast lift, facelift, abdominoplasty, brachioplasty, liposuction and thigh lift.

After surgery

• Depending on the extent of your surgery you will be in a recovery room for a few hours or several days being cared for by nursing staff.
• Your surgeon will visit and advise you when you can leave.
• After the surgery it is likely that you will experience some pain and discomfort
• You will also be advised on how to shower and change your dressings. In some cases you may need to wear a support garment.
• You should not drive for two days after the anaesthetic.
• Avoid alcohol, aspirin, garlic, food oils and smoking. All of these can interfere with the body’s healing processes.

Road to recovery

• Continue taking painkillers if you need them.
• Depending on the surgeon’s advice, elastic dressings or bandages may have to be worn for some time.
• If the surgeon recommends that you take medication such as antibiotics, make sure that you complete the course.
• Your treated areas are likely to feel sore during the first couple of weeks, so take it easy and get plenty of rest.
• The surgeon will advise you of when you can return to physical activity and work
• The treated areas are likely to appear swollen at first and you are may feel some discomfort.
• You must contact your surgeon if you suffer from an abnormally high temperature, severe pain that is not treated with Paracetemol or if you experience severe bleeding.
• If you are in doubt about any of the post operative effects speak to your surgeon.
• Mild exercise will accelerate your healing processes and help reduce swelling.
• Your scars may look worse during the first months as they continue to heal.
• The scars will never disappear completely. However, they will not show under most items of clothing.
• To maintain your new look it is vital that you eat sensibly and enjoy regular exercise.

All surgery carries an element of risk
Most people believe that the benefits of body lift surgery far outweigh the risk. However before you sign the surgery consent form you should be aware of possible complications and side effects.

Complications associated with any type of surgery include problems healing, the danger of infection and the potential formation of clots that may be life-threatening. Excessive bleeding or bleeding under the skin, known as a haematoma, may require a return visit to the surgery. Some patients may also have an allergic reaction to anaesthesia. In a minority of cases there could be a problem with fluid loss or an excessive build up of fluid that needs to be drained.

Deciding on a body lift
It is important that you take time to make an informed decision about surgery. Complications are extremely rare as this is a very common operation, however you must consider any potential outcome.

• Upper body surgery is not suitable after a mastecotomy or operation that have taken place in the lymph nodes.
• There may be some risk of a lack of symmetry in the limbs.
• After a successful operation you may feel sick due to the anaesthetic (if it was required) and bruises formed by the procedure may take several weeks to heal.
• There will definitely be scars left by the incisions, but these will be in hidden areas.

Complications are rare and depend greatly on individual circumstances such as a person’s health and skin type or the extent of the procedure. Your surgeon will be able to explain how the risks apply in your circumstances.