Body Lift Reshaping

A body lift is a combination of abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), thigh lift, buttock lift and targeted liposuction.

A tummy tuck can address excess abdominal tissue, while the inner thigh and buttock lifts will address the thighs and buttocks areas. Liposuction can also improve the shape of targeted areas of the body if there is excess fatty tissue and the skin is tight.

Weight Loss and Plastic Surgery

Numerous individuals who are overweight, genetically, habitually or after pregnancy, will attempt anything to lose weight and get back into shape. Some of them are able to achieve their goals through diet and exercise. Others, however, find that their weight interferes with exercise and confounds the problem. One popular solution for individuals caught in this situation is to have bariatric surgery. This surgery modifies the stomach and intestines so that weight loss is possible. Bariatric surgery has been very effective in producing significant weight loss for many people who feel they have no other option.

Planning your surgery

The consultation

Full medical and clinical exam ensures that weight stabilises before proceeding with any plastic surgery procedure.

The patient’s desires and expectations will be discussed, and a comprehensive regime will be implemented to address all body lift areas needing improvements. The patient will decide which area to address first, guided by a professional plastic surgeon’s opinion.

Whether a person loses weight through diet and exercise or through bariatric surgery, there are a few obstacles that surface because of the weight loss. One of the most obvious would be the loose skin that remains after the weight is gone. To understand why loose skin is an after-effect of weight loss, here is an explanation: while someone is overweight, the skin stretches to accommodate the increased volume of weight. After weight loss, the skin often fail to tighten, and therefore it sags. In countless cases, it hangs. It acts as a continuous reminder of the weight you once were.

Unfortunately, further diet and exercise will NOT tighten the skin (exercise never tightens skin, only muscles). The only way to tighten lose skin is through surgery.

The surgery

The procedure is performed under general anaesthetic in a hospital and takes 5-7 hours, depending on its complexity.

As with any surgery, scars will exist. The more skin that requires removal, the longer the scar. For a body lift, they will range from along the lower abdomen to around the hips and toward the buttock crease.

There is an additional scar in each groin crease due to the inner thigh lift.

After surgery

You will have a simple dressing covering the wound site

A special garment may be necessary

Length of stay: 1-4 nights.

Discomfort: Moderate. Anticipate 5-10 days of prescription pain medication.

Swelling: Improves over 2-6 weeks.

An appointment will be arranged for follow up in 7-10 days for removal of bandages and
wound review. Stitches: absorbable.

What are the risks associated with this procedure?

Plastic surgery, like any surgical procedure, carries inherent risks and potential complications.

Please read our Risks and Complications of Plastic Surgery page.

Getting you back to work and normal activities

It depends on the complexity of the procedure that you have undertaken but generally, you will be able to go back to normal duties within 2-4weeks.

Exercise: May be recommenced in 4-6 weeks.

Final result will be seen after the scars have matured, which will be approximately 6-12 months.

Plastic Surgery Costs

Body lift