Circumferential Body Lift Procedure

Circumferential body lift procedure is performed to correct many of the areas of loose skin after massive weight loss from diet and exercise or from having had weight loss surgery. When a person loses a lot of weight, the skin can not adequately shrink due to poor tissue elasticity and will hang and droop creating uneven contours. No amount of exercise or dieting will make the excess skin go away. Surgery is required to remove the excess loose skin thus improving the shape and tone of the underlying tissue that supports fat and skin. A circumferential body lift procedure removes a belt of skin, subcutaneous fat and tissue in the abdomen, waist and buttock area, resulting in a smoother, more youthful body contour. These physical changes to the body can improve your body image and enhance self-confidence.

CANDIDATE FOR CIRCUMFERENTIAL BODY LIFT PROCEDURE

The best candidates for circumferential body lift are healthy non-smokers who are of stable weight and have a positive outlook and realistic goals in mind. At the time of your consultation your goals, the circumferential body lift procedure, routine postoperative healing process will be explained in detail and all of your questions answered. Your medical history will be reviewed to ensure you are a healthy candidate for surgery. If you are a post gastric bypass patient, Dr. Lynam will carefully evaluate you, spending a great deal of time discussing with you your goals to determine what procedures are best suited for your needs and often consult with your bariatric surgeon to maximize the safety of this procedure.

THE CIRCUMFERENTIAL BODY LIFT PROCEDURE

The circumferential body lift procedure is individualized to your specific areas that are to be treated. A circumferential incision around the abdominal area, extending around the sides and into the lower back is used to remove excess skin and fat and reposition and tighten tissues, thus resulting in a single scar. In many cases incisions may be extensive. A combination of liposuction and circumferential body lift procedures may be necessary to achieve an improved contour. Deep sutures within underlying tissue help to form the newly shaped contour. The circumferential body lift procedure is performed in a hospital operating room with the patient usually spending 1 night in the hospital. Small or minimal circumferential body lift procedures may be performed as an outpatient with a nurse going home with you to assist you with your postoperative care.

Surgery takes 4-6 hours to perform depending on the extent of the surgical procedure and is done under general anesthesia. Multiple drains are placed to remove any small amount of fluid collection for 7-10 days following surgery.

AFTER CIRCUMFERENTIAL BODY LIFT SURGERY

Drain tubes are removed in the office 7-10 days following surgery. Your abdomen may be swollen, bruised and sore for several weeks. Since tightening of the abdomen is involved you are instructed to avoid standing fully upright, bending and stressing any internal sutures as they heal and to sleep with pillows elevating your knees. You will be given instructions to return to light walking as soon as possible to minimize the potential for blood clots and other complications. Vigorous exercise routines may resume 6-8 weeks following surgery. Most patients return to work in 2 weeks. You will be placed in an abdominal binder which is to be worn 12 hours per day after surgery as this helps to minimize swelling and to support your new contours as you heal. Numbness and a firm feeling over the skin surface will resolve over time. It may take a year or more for incision lines to refine and fade. Although permanent, these lines can usually be hidden by most clothing and swimsuits. Follow all instructions carefully as this is essential to the success of your outcome. The results of a body lift are visible almost immediately. However it may take several months for your final results to fully develop. Your new uplifted body contour should be long lasting provided that you maintain your weight and general fitness thus improving your image and self-esteem.

The best way to determine if you are a good candidate for the circumferential body lift procedure is to schedule a consultation. You will learn what are reasonable expectations for the goals you may wish to achieve.