Loose Skin Removal with a Full Body lift
Excess skin after massive weight loss needs loose skin removal surgery. Big, loose rolls of hanging, sagging skin that gets in the way of wearing the clothing you were dreaming of when you were losing the weight, gets in the way of feeling sexy with your partner… it just gets in the way, period. Sometimes it feels as though it’s even more ugly than being overweight.
And there’s nothing you can do, except come to the realisation that surgery is the only way you’re ever going to get rid of it. While the saggy baggy elephant was my favourite Golden Book as a child, no one wants to feel like they look like him when you look in the mirror… Some patients can solve the problem with an abdominoplasty, however this does not address excess skin from around the hips, outer and upper thighs, buttocks or back. We had a chat with Dr. Patrick Briggs, Specialist Plastic Surgeon at Coco Ruby Plastic Surgery Melbourne VIC about full body lifts.
How do you know you need a full body lift and not just an abdominoplasty?
You are a candidate for a full body lift if you have large folds of skin and fat around your abdomen (tummy), bum, hips, back and/or thighs.
A body lift is different to an abdominoplasty because it involves a much larger incision and goes beyond the belly area. Dr Briggs explains, “A full body lift usually involves a circumferential incision being made all the way around your body where excess skin is removed, then pulled up and tightened, then stitched up again. Every effort should be made to ensure the incisions are made in such a position so the subsequent and unavoidable scarring is as inconspicuous as possible when wearing clothing or swimwear, however patients should be aware this is a major operation and will involve scars as a payoff for getting rid of the excess skin. A full body lift can also help to lift the skin in the buttock and thigh areas, although often a separate thigh lift or buttock lift may be required.”
A body lift is major surgery
Dr Briggs says that a body lift is one of the bigger surgeries for loose skin removal that involves a longer recovery than many other types of plastic surgeries.
“Excess skin removal is a major surgery that requires significant recovery time. Most patients remain in the hospital for one to three nights. Pain and discomfort are initially managed with intravenous or intramuscular medications, and later with oral pain medication. Drainage tubes are inserted. A medical compression garment is to be worn at all times – except while bathing – until your surgeon tells you it is no longer needed. Dressings are generally removed 5-7 days after surgery, and showering is allowed at that time, however major activities are best avoided for a few weeks. Most people require four to six weeks recovery time before returning to normal activities, and generally from six to eight weeks before exercising, due to the sensitivity on the incisions and scarring.”
Aftercare is super important for Body Lift Surgery
Dr Briggs says that successful post-operative success depends a lot on your care and self-care afterwards. Doing the right thing after surgery can be just as important as the surgery itself.
He says, “Physical activity that increases your pulse or heart rate may cause bruising, swelling, or fluid accumulation, leading you back into surgery. It is wise to refrain from intimate physical activities after surgery until your physician states it is safe. It is important that you participate in follow-up care, return for aftercare, and promote your recovery after surgery. A specific dietary plan may be encouraged. To ensure a successful outcome of your skin removal surgery, you are required to follow your surgeon’s instructions very carefully. Do not place any pressure on the treated area. Approximately 75% of the swelling dissipates at six weeks and 90% at three months. It is important that the incisions are not subjected to excessive force, swelling, abrasion, or motion during healing.”
As always, we advise that choosing the right surgeon goes a long way to getting the best results possible. A plastic surgeon such as Dr Briggs who has extensive experience in performing body lifts is going to help ensure you are happy at the end of your journey.
Finding Your Body Shape with Body Contouring
Many women dream of having a perfectly contoured body. In the past, body contouring existed more on an electronic level – a Photoshop technique that gave models the most coveted body features in magazines and on billboards. Nowadays, body contouring is a reality available to any woman happy to pay for it, and is on the rise for massive weight loss (MWL) patients. After losing a large amount of weight, body contouring is usually the next step to regaining pride and satisfaction with a new body.
Surgical Body Contouring
Body contouring can be done through various surgical procedures, or for those not needing as much help, via the non-surgical way. Some of the surgeries to help contour your body after MWL are:
- Tummy tuck/abdominoplasty – this involves not only the removal of excess skin and fat but also the restoration of weakened muscles.
- Arm Lift – a procedure to remove excess fat and skin, ultimately reducing the circumference of arms and creating a smoother, more shapely profile. After MWL your arms can be a real gathering place for saggy skin!
- Breast augmentation – MWL can cause your breasts to all but disappear. Also called breast enlargement, the process involves using implants in order to create desirable size and give a natural look.
- Breast reduction, on the other hand, is done in order to give a woman a functional bust size which looks more proportionate to her body. This might also be combined with a breast lift in the case of MWL patients.
- Body Lift – In this procedure, the excessive fat and skin tissues from the back, outer thighs, flanks and buttocks are removed. This can help several areas at once and is a popular surgery with those patients having achieved MWL.
Non-Surgical Body Contouring
Modern technology has given rise to more non-surgical ways to help shape and contour the body. There are many devices and treatments on the market, some of the ones Dr Chang suggests are:
- Skin Tightening/Resurfacing (Laser)
- Wrinkle Reduction (Injectables)
- Dermal Fillers
Why is everybody so into body contouring?
Body contouring is a procedure that modifies or corrects the different areas of the body giving one’s body a svelte shape and a more balanced look. Massive weight loss patients aside, with the powerful influences of social media, people get hooked on creating smooth profiles and attractive selfies and it is manifested on their profiles on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. The idea of body contouring has become so popular because many people believe that good looks are typically a combination of good elements such as facial and body structure and beautiful eyes and a perfectly shaped nose.
“Plastic surgery requires an imaginative mind to be able to see the likely outcome before the commencement of the surgery or treatments, making it both challenging and satisfying. Being able to bring people’s aesthetic dreams to life is extremely rewarding.”
If you’re interested in finding out more about body lifts check out the blogs and real stories below:
More Body Lift after Massive Weight Loss Real Patient Stories
- Rosa’s Full Body Lift with Dr Rohit Kumar Sydney
- Jo’s Body Lift Patient Story with Dr Mark Hanikeri Perth
- Chelle’s Lower Body Lift Patient Journey
Further Information about Body LIft Surgery after Massive Weight Loss
- Medical Benefits of Body Lift after Large Weight Loss
- Excess Skin Removal Sydney – Soliman Plastic Surgery
- Body Lift | Dr. Guy Watts Perth Plastic Surgeon
- Loose Skin After Weight Loss – Body Contouring for Men
- GOLD COAST – Body lift Gold Coast by Gold Coast Plastic Surgery
More PSH Blogs by Dr Patrick Briggs Melbourne Plastic Surgeon
- Mummy Makeover Patient Story with Dr Patrick Briggs
- Laura’s Breast Lift – Breast Lift, Mastopexy Plastic Surgery Results
- Surgery for those in Rural Areas with Dr Briggs
To Contact Dr Patrick Briggs
If you’d like more information about breast reduction or any procedures, you can contact Dr Patrick Briggs at his clinic or check out the blogs