Body contouring is a very innovative esthetic and reconstructive procedure. This silhouette surgery treats, at the same time, excess sagging skin in the abdominal area, in the back, in the buttocks and also in the upper thighs. This esthetic surgery of the body allows the surgeon to reshape the patient’s silhouette and to enhance it with harmonious curves.
- 3 areas treated in the same procedure (back, buttocks, belly)
- Lifts and reshapes buttocks
- Treat abdominal apron
- Radically transforms the silhouette
Body Lift overview:
This information sheet is issued by Dr. Vincent Nguyen, board-certified plastic surgeon in Paris, specialized in body lift procedures.
It provides all the information about the surgery, scars, recovery, before and after comparison photographs, Social Security coverage and the costs of a body lift surgery.
What is a body lift?
A body lift is an esthetic procedure that addresses loose skin and shapes and tones the abdomen, back and buttocks.
On the abdomen, excess skin is removed and what is left is lowered and tightened.
On the buttocks and on the outer thighs, on the opposite, the skin is lifted as in a buttocks and thigh lift. The incision line is on the abdomen where it can be hidden by most type of clothing and underwear.
This procedure is also called circular lipectomy or circular dermolipectomy.
Principles of a body lift:
What’s the goal of a body lift?
The goal of a body lift is to remove excess skin. If there is residual fat, it is removed with the skin. It leads to a dramatic improvement of the silhouette.
A body lift improves:
- The front of the body: the abdomen, pubis and upper thighs
- The back of the body: buttocks (it is a buttocks lift)
- The side of the body: the hips and saddlebags
To better understand what is done during the surgery, you can imagine that the surgeon removes a 20-25 cm wide skin section from the lower abdomen and all around the body. (see picture).
What are the indications of a body lift?
The techniques have greatly improved and are very sophisticated. They may now benefit many more patients who have excess skin around the body due to:
- Huge weight loss: the most common cause after diet, gastric band surgery or bariatric surgery.
- Gynecoid obesity, diet resistant.
- Obesity: only way to get rid of weight for patients who tried many other techniques.
- Aging and altered skin elasticity due to menopause.
- After liposuction if performed under skin that has lost elasticity.
- Congenital sagging buttocks: without any known cause, some patients suffer from sagging buttocks and loosen skin since adolescence.
What other procedures may be combined with a body lift?
- Buttocks lipofilling may be combined with a body lift.
- Liposuction may be an option if there is too much fat in certain areas.
- In case of excess skin on the thighs in the saddle bag area, a vertical incision along the outer thigh may be performed to remove excess skin. It is called lateral body lift.
- In rare cases, body lift and fleur-de-lys abdominoplasty may be associated.
What are the alternatives to a body lift?
- When there is excess skin from the upper back to the chest, the alternative may be an upper body lift.
- Standard abdominoplasty and fleur-de-lys abdominoplasty may be combined to address the sides of the body.
PRINCIPLES OF A BODY LIFT :
The goal of a body lift is to remove excess skin. If there is residual fat, it is removed with the skin. It leads to a dramatic improvement of the silhouette.
A body lift improves:
- The front of the body: the abdomen, pubis and upper thighs
- The back of the body: buttocks (it is a buttocks lift)
- The side of the body: the hips and saddlebags
To better understand what is done during the surgery, you can imagine that the surgeon removes a 20-25 cm wide skin section from the lower abdomen and all around the body. (see picture).
LES ÉTAPES D’INTERVENTION DE BODYLIFT
BEFORE BODY LIFT:
- Two preoperative consultations with a board-certified plastic surgeon expert in body lift surgery will be conducted, as well as a consultation with an anesthetist.
- Preoperative nutritional status may be required.
- Before and after comparison photographs will be taken.
- A post-surgical compression garment (panty type) will be prescribed.
- Preoperative instructions are as follow:
- Quit smoking at least one month before the surgery and up to 1 month after the surgery to avoid any complication or necrosis risk.
- Stop birth control pill one month before the procedure to avoid thrombo-embolic risks.
- Discontinue any anti-platelet or blood-thinning medication 15 days before the surgery.
BODY LIFT SURGERY:
- It is performed under general anesthesia.
- It lasts 3 to 5 hours depending on the size of the area to be treated.
- At the end of the surgery a compressive dressing is applied.
- Dr Vincent Nguyen uses the most advanced surgical techniques and performs the surgery himself.
The results of a body lift surgery are visible immediately. The new silhouette looks amazing. After 3 weeks there is less swelling and the result is even more spectacular.
The benefits of a body lift surgery are functional and esthetic. Patients feel more at ease and confident.
AFTER BREAST AUGMENTATION WITH IMPLANTS:
- Patients may stay at the clinic 3 to 6 days depending on the surgery.
- Swelling and bruising rapidly appear.
- It is common to feel tired the first days after the surgery.
- You may feel pain that will be alleviated with analgesics.
- You may have a shower the following day but you can’t have a bath before a month after the surgery.
- You will have to wear a compression garment for 6 weeks night and day to minimize swelling.
- Avoid sun on the scars for a year at least.
- Phlebitis will be avoided by getting out of bed soon after the surgery and by getting anti-coagulant injections.
- You may progressively resume physical activities after 8 weeks.
- Follow-up consultations with Dr Vincent Nguyen will be planned (1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and a year after the surgery).
BODY LIFT: PRICE AND COST
- Body lift surgery may be covered by Social Security after prior approval by Social Security Authority, and by some Health Insurance Companies. It is considered as reconstructive surgery and approved by the Social Security Medical Advisor when abdominal apron droops over pubis.
- If it is not approved by Social Security, it is considered as an esthetic procedure and there is no coverage.
- The costs may vary depending on the patient, if it is covered or not by Social Security, on other combined procedures liposuction, diastasis …), on the location of the surgery, on the length of the procedure and other related expenses. The costs may vary from …. To … (find all the costs on this website).
- Make sure to find a board-certified plastic surgeon expert in body contour enhancement who will evaluate your needs, discuss your options and guide you to achieve what is the best option for you.
BODY LIFT FAQs:
Where are the scars after a body lift?
There is a long circular incision line that is hidden in the underwear.
The dramatic improvement resulting from the body lift makes the scar perfectly acceptable to patients.
It is the only mark of the surgery. Its location may be altered depending on patient’s preference or choice of underwear. The size and aspect of this scar is unpredictable as every patient heals differently.
What are the alternatives to a body lift?
- When there is excess skin from the upper back to the chest, the alternative may be an upper body lift.
- Standard abdominoplasty and fleur-de-lys abdominoplasty may be combined to address the sides of the body.
Can abdominal apron or excess skin on abdomen and buttocks come back?
Yes, it can, in case of significant weight change or after pregnancy.
Can I be pregnant after a body lift surgery?
Yes, you can. But pregnancy will affect the skin that may sag after delivery.
Can I practice sports after a body lift surgery?
Yes, you can. But immediately after surgery and for about 3 months you will feel sore. The abdomen area and the buttocks will be sensitive and you may feel discomfort during effort.
Does a body lift surgery affect belly and buttocks sensitivity?
Belly and buttocks may feel hyposensitive for 1 to 2 years after body lift surgery, but they will regain sensitivity over time.
What’s the difference between lower body lift and upper body lift?
Lower body lift addresses excess skin in the lower body whereas upper body lift addresses excess skin in the middle of the body, below the chest and in the middle of the back. The scar will be below the breasts, and all around the body.
Answers from a board-certified plastic surgeon in Paris, to the questions you have about body lifts.
