Body Lift

In Phoenix and Glendale, Arizona

Dr. Paul Angelchik is a Phoenix plastic surgery specialist who offers body lift at his practice. In the paragraphs below he describes this procedure and how Scottsdale, Glendale and Phoenix body lift patients have benefited from treatment.

Body Lift: The Procedure

Lower body lifts are indicated for patients with skin laxity of the abdomen, thighs, and buttocks. This procedure incorporates an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) and tightens the skin of the thighs and buttocks.  The incision typically goes circumferentially all the way around the body in a line which can be concealed by underwear or a swim suit. Lower body lifts remove excess tissue from the outer and anterior (front) thigh areas, addressing sagging skin resulting from aging, pregnancy, or massive weight loss. A lower body lift can be combined with liposuction to contour excess adipose tissue while lifting loose skin. By lifting the lax skin, tightening abdominal muscle fascia and contouring select areas with liposuction where indicated, the lower body lift restores more normal contour to the abdomen, thighs, and buttocks. The results may be very dramatic.

Lower body lifts are done under general anesthesia and are lengthy operations taking 4 – 6 hours or more. Patients typically are admitted for two days following surgery for early mobilization and close monitoring. Drains are placed in the incisions to prevent fluid collection and remain a variable time depending on the amount of drainage. Incisions are closed with sutures and staples which are absorbable under the skin. A surgical adhesive is applied to the incisions after closure. Patients and hospital staff must exercise great care with movement and position after surgery to avoid disrupting suture lines. Patients typically are in a flexed position for 6 days after surgery when lying down or walking to avoid excess tension on the abdominal skin flap. Early ambulation is encouraged after surgery.  A pain pump is used at surgery to deliver local anesthetic for four days after the procedure to the surgical sites.

Realistic expectations are important after plastic surgery in general, and in particular for any patient who has undergone massive weight loss. Loss of elasticity in the skin in this group of patients can result in a greater tendency to recurrent laxity after surgery or scar widening. Additionally in patients who were very overweight for long periods of time, underlying skeletal changes may be present. Most patients however are extremely pleased with their results. Most MWL patients require multiple stages for contouring of the lower body, breasts, arms, upper back, face, and neck to achieve optimal correction. Inner thigh lifts are not usually done at the same time as a lower body lift to encourage early ambulation. These procedures are spaced apart to reduce surgical risk and promote quicker recovery.

Body Lift: Major Complications are Rare

All body lift procedures have some degree of risk. While most patients do not have complications, complications that do not affect the outcome of a treatment or surgery may occur with some frequency. Major complications are uncommon. The specific risks and the suitability of a particular procedure are carefully reviewed at your consultation (and preoperative visits if you are having surgery).  Your safety and comfort are our foremost concerns. We will provide additional detailed information for you at each stage of your experience from your initial contact with our office through your procedure and afterwards in an interactive fashion. We will ensure that you feel informed about your treatment options and recovery in advance and can actively and confidently participate in designing your treatment plan. We want you to have the best possible experience and will work with you to make it happen.

Click here for Frequently Asked Questions about the Body Lift Procedure.

In addition to body lift, Dr. Angelchik also performs other body contouring procedures in his Phoenix plastic surgery practice. Visit these pages in the website to learn about how Dr. Angelchik treats Phoenix tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), liposuction, brachioplasty and thigh lift patients.