Body Contouring or Body Lift?

Question

For those who have lost over 150 pounds, should an overall body contouring plan be considered to just a body lift? Are there certain procedures that are more effective and more affordable than a body lift after massive weight loss?

Siamak Agha, MD, PhD, FACS · Answer

Congratulations on your weight loss journey. As you may have experienced, losing 150 plus pounds will lead to having excess skin on your body. This is very uncomfortable for many patients and can even lead to rashes and infections in certain areas.

	Body contouring essentially is a component of a body lift. The body lift is designed specifically for the weight loss patient, so I do believe having just a few procedures may not leave you with a desirable result. I have seen some patients who do a few procedures at a time and wait to do the other procedures when they have a budget for it.

	I advise you to consult with a board certified plastic surgeon that specializes in body contouring procedures. Best of luck to you.

	I have included a link that may be of help to you.

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello, and thank you for your question regarding body contouring or body lift.  If you have lost 100 pounds or more, you most likely need some reconstructive plastic surgery after massive weight loss.  Very common procedures following massive weight loss include a 360-degree circumferential lower body lift, which addresses the abdomen, pubic region, hips, and buttocks in a single surgery.  Suppose your hips and your buttocks do not bother you.  You may be able to get by with an extended tummy tuck or possibly even a fleur de lis or FDL type tummy tuck.  If you have no ex skin and fat above the belly button to the sternum, you may not need the vertical extension of the FTL procedure.  If your thighs bother you, there are options such as crescent, spiral, medial thigh lift, longitudinal medial thigh lifts, and even a longitudinal lateral thigh lift.  During a crescent thigh lift, an incision is made high in the groin, and a crescent area of skin and fat is removed from the upper 1/3 of the inner thigh.  With the longitudinal medial thigh lift, an incision is made from the groin to the knee following the inseam of your thigh.  If your buttocks bother you and you want them bigger, it is possible to do fat transfer or Brazilian butt lift or BBL.  However, most weight loss patients want their buttocks lifted and smaller.  Suppose your back bothers you.  Procedures to treat the back include the vertical and horizontal torsoplasty.  The horizontal torsoplasty is also known as a bra strap lift, as the incision is typically hidden underneath the bra strap.  During a horizontal torso plasty, a large butterfly-shaped area of skin and fat is removed from the back, and thus, the back is flattened.  During a vertical torsoplasty, an incision is made from the armpit down the midline or the side of your chest.  During a vertical torsoplasty, a large elliptical area of skin and fat is removed from these areas.  Regarding the breasts, they can be augmented, reduced, lifted, or augmented and lifted.  Typically, breast augmentation is achieved with breast implants, but if subtle corrections are preferred, fat transfer may be an option.  Regarding the arms, liposuction may be necessary, or you may require a formal arm lift or reduction, known as a brachioplasty.  There is a crescent arm reduction, and a crescent area of skin and fat is removed from the upper inner arm.  During a longitudinal arm lift or formal arm lift, liposuction of the arm is performed.  Arm liposuction is followed by making an incision from the armpit to the elbow.
Regarding the face, a facelift can be.  If your neck bothers you, neck liposuction or a neck lift can also be scheduled.  In conclusion, it's essential to identify the areas that bother you the most, consult with an experienced, board-certified surgeon, and get several quotes for the cost of these procedures.  The cost varies and depends on the expertise of your plastic surgeon, the length of time spent in the operating room, the geographic region, and whether insurance will be used for part or all of the procedure.  Thank you for your interesting question regarding body contouring or body lift.

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

Without pictures or an exam, it is hard to give you accurate advice. In general, you are a candidate if you have excessive subcutaneous fat, which is resistant to diet and exercise. If you wish to change the contours of your body. Commonly involved areas are the anterior part of the neck (under the chin), upper arms and armpits, male chest/breasts, trunk abdomen, waist, hips, thighs, inner knees, calves, and ankles.
Most patients are near normal weight and desire permanent contour changes. Patients with average weight, localized fat collections, and healthy elastic skin are the best candidates for liposuction. I recommend that you seek a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon who can examine you and give you the best answer.
Far more important than deciding if body contouring or a body lift is for you is the skill and experience of your plastic surgeon. Choose your surgeon rather than the technique and let him explain why one technique may be better than another and if you need a liposuction. Many board certified plastic surgeons provide a free first time consult and you should take advantage of that! See the below link on some suggestions on finding the most qualified Plastic Surgeon for you!

Ramin Behmand, MD, FACS · Answer

A body-lift is necessary when there is significant amounts of excess skin, as is often seen in massive weight-loss patients. Body contouring often refers to contouring by way of liposuction. Such contouring does not involve skin excision and is best suited to patients who have tighter skin. At times, body-lift procedures (skin excision) may be combined with contouring (liposuction).

John Renucci, MD, FACS · Answer

Your question is very insightful. Congratulations on your wt. loss. Unfortunately, for most patients the success of wt loss results in excess skin throughout the body. It is very important to understand that for most patients, one operative procedure will not be enough to correct all of the post wt loss concerns. Meet with your board certified plastic surgeon and outline a safe, effective plan which will address your concerns specifically. While a lower body lift is extremely effective at addressing the abdomen, hips, buttox and lateral thighs, it will not typically address the upper/inner thighs or knees. After your new abdominal/waist line shape, your attention will likely focus on skin redundancies in your arms, chest etc. Make sure you are well informed before you embark on your surgical contouring, it will be rewarding for you if you have realistic expectations on outcome. best of luck. Dr. Renucci

Paul Vitenas, Jr., MD · Answer

Unfortunately, there is no procedure or alternative to a bodylift for those massive weight loss patients if they want to achieve the best results. This is an extremly effective procedure in the right hands of a skilled and experienced surgeon. Unfortunately, the procedure takes 4-6 hours to complete so the price of the procedure reflects the amount of work done. Save your money and get thecorrect procedure done, you will be much happier.

Laurie A. Casas, MD, FACS · Answer

The key is that you consult with an ABPS certified Plastic Surgeon who can review the most safe and effective staged approach to handle your individual body contouring issues. Many patients are unhappy with the excess skin in their upper arms, thighs, abdomen, flanks, and breasts. Others have isolated areas of concern. Others have deflated buttock or breasts that they would like re contoured. The key is to have all of your concerns evaluated and a safe plan outlined that works for your time and budget.

Armando Soto, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi there-

	While unfair, there are a growing number of patients like yourself who have achieved a great accomplishment- losing a large amount of weight and improving their long term health in the process... Only to find that they've traded their excess weight for a large amount of excess skin.

	Modern options for body contour improvement are very successful and safe- but only under the appropriate circumstances.

	As for the details of the procedures recommended for you, it would be difficult to say what your options are responsibly without a consultation and examination. I would find a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon you like and feel you can trust and visit with them to discuss your goals and options.

Raj S. Ambay, MD · Answer

Liposuction is only good to contour but can worsen the issue if excess skin is your main problem (as it is in most massive weight loss patients). A body lift can truly change your life. Excess abdominal fat and skin is removed, the abdomen and your core is tightened, your saddlebags on your hips are raised and your buttock has new definition and shape. The combination is powerful and the results are immediate. The real answer to your question is in the exam. If you have excess kin circumferentialy then a body lift is the answer. If not than a tummy tuck may do the trick The most important thing is safety. Please don't compromise on this! See a board certified plastic surgeon

C. Bob Basu, MD, MPH, FACS · Answer

If you have lost 150 lbs and you have excess skin and laxity in the anterior abdominal wall, waist, and buttock areas, then a body lift (circumferential body lift = belt lipectomy) will likely be needed.  Usually, for my patients who have lost a significant amount of weight, my first line of attack is a circumferential body lift = belt lipectomy = lower body lift. This procedure is 3 procedures all in one:

	 

	1. tummy tuck

	2. waist/lateral thigh lift

	3. buttock lift +/- buttock augmentation

	This procedure requires 4.5-6.5 hrs of surgery and requires an overnight stay in my practice.

	Best of luck.

	Dr. Basu

Body Contouring or Body Lift?

Answers (14)