Body Lift

A body lift is a procedure that improves the shape and tone of the abdomen, flanks, and buttocks by combining several different procedures (butt lift, thigh lift, tummy tuck) to remove excess fat and skin.

You may be a good candidate for a Body Lift if:

Weight fluctuation has left you with significant skin laxity resulting in enough excess skin to lift, remove, and/or tighten.

Your weight has been stable for a minimum of six months. Once you’ve reached a consistent weight, this will give the surgeon a general idea of how much excess skin needs to be removed or tightened.

You are in good health overall and don’t smoke. The procedures that are involved in a full body lift tend to be complex, and complications can occur. If you suffer from a chronic medical condition, it’s best to speak to your primary care physician to see if this procedure is right for you. If you smoke, most plastic surgeons will ask that you stop smoking entirely, or stop smoking six weeks prior to your procedure, as well as six weeks post-operation.

If you believe you are a good candidate for a Body Lift based on the qualifications outlined above, we suggest you schedule a consultation with Dr. Buchanan to discuss the possibility of a Body Lift and the added benefits it could bring to your life.

It is important to note that a Body Lift will involve different procedures for different patients. Some procedures may be more complex than others, depending on the area that is being lifted or tightened. In some cases, an entire lift can be done in a single operation, but in other cases, surgery may be done in stages in order to allow your body to heal between surgeries.

The surgery typically takes between four to six hours, and general anesthesia is used. While you’re asleep, Dr. Buchanan surgically excises the excess skin and fat and shapes the remaining skin to contour the shape of your body. In some cases, he may use liposuction to break up and remove some of the excess fat.

Depending on the procedure, patients’ recovery can take anywhere from a few hours to up to two days. When you’re ready to go home, we will show you how to utilize compression garments to help prevent excessive swelling and provide protection for your incisions. We will prescribe pain medication to help provide comfort and ensure you’re not pain while you recover at home.

Downtime is hard to predict as each patient’s procedure can vary greatly. Some patients may require an overnight stay in the hospital or surgery center. Typically, we ask that patients plan to take anywhere from 2-4 weeks off from work, and recommend avoiding strenuous activity for two to three months following surgery. Moderate activity can usually be resumed about 6 weeks post-surgery, however, swelling may occur for up to six months. Scarring can take up to a year to completely heal.

The cost of a body lift surgery varies significantly depending on the complexity of your case and the geographic location of where the surgery is performed. It’s also important to note that the procedure amount does not reflect additional surgery costs, including:

It’s also important to note that the amount above does not reflect additional surgery costs, including:
Anesthesia fees
Operating room costs
Blood or additional medical testing
Compression garments for post-surgery
Prescriptions
Miscellaneous expenses, such as surgeon’s fees

Additionally, the cost of the procedure can be affected by the following circumstances:
The amount of experience and overall reputation of your surgeon. You’ll find that surgeon’s with many years of experience, or that are highly regarded, will typically cost more.
The techniques the surgeon uses for the procedure and the complexity of the case.
Where your surgeon’s practice is located. Typically, larger cities have higher operational costs and are more expensive.

If you’ve considered a body lift surgery, but feel like you are limited financially, speak to Dr. Buchanan or one of the VIVIFY staff members about financing options. We do our best to work with each patient by offering financing plans to help her achieve her surgical goals.

Health insurance companies do not cover Body Lift surgery because it is considered a cosmetic enhancement procedure. However, you should still do your research before proceeding with this surgery and check with your health insurance provider. It is important to be clear on your financial responsibility before undergoing any surgery.

During your search for a potential plastic surgeon, you should only consider a surgeon who is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). Board-certified surgeons spend a minimum of 6-8 years of training after medical school to ensure that they are well-trained in both aesthetic and reconstructive plastic surgery.