Body Lift New Orleans
The excess skin that develops may cause physical and emotional challenges including painful rashes, yeast infections in skin folds, difficulty maintaining proper hygiene, and discomfort wearing certain types of clothing. Many patients who have lost significant weight find loose skin prevents them from fully enjoying their new, healthier bodies.
Dr. Russell Hendrick specializes in body contouring procedures that remove excess skin and reshape the body for a slimmer, more proportionate appearance that reflects your weight loss achievement. Depending on your individual needs and goals, some procedures can be performed simultaneously, while others must be scheduled separately after adequate healing has occurred. For this reason, a complete body lift transformation typically takes several months to complete, with the exact timeline depending on the number and complexity of procedures required.
What is Body Lift Surgery?
Body lift surgery can address the upper body, lower body, or both, depending on your areas of concern. Post-bariatric patients often benefit from a total body lift, which addresses multiple areas, including the abdomen, buttocks, thighs, arms, and breasts. The primary objective is to eliminate excess skin and underlying tissue while improving underlying structural tissues and skin texture and tone.Â
These procedures require general anesthesia and are performed in state-of-the-art surgical facilities equipped with advanced medical technology. Lower body lifts typically involve a belt-like incision around the circumference of the body, allowing Dr. Hendrick to address all areas needing recontouring. Â The surgery focuses on tightening and smoothing the natural contours while creating results that appear balanced and proportionate.
What Procedures Are Used for a Body Lift?
Liposuction
Liposuction is often incorporated into body lift procedures to remove localized fat deposits and refine body contours. While liposuction alone cannot address loose or sagging skin, it serves as an excellent complementary procedure to enhance overall results. Dr. Hendrick uses advanced liposuction techniques to sculpt specific areas by removing stubborn fat that has not responded to diet and exercise. This procedure can be performed on the abdomen, flanks, thighs, arms, and other areas to create smoother, more defined contours that complement skin removal procedures.
Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
Abdominoplasty or tummy tuck addresses excess skin and weakened abdominal muscles in the midsection. This procedure involves a horizontal incision across the lower abdomen positioned low enough to be concealed by underwear or swimwear. Through this incision, Dr. Hendrick removes excess skin and fat while tightening the underlying abdominal muscles that may have been stretched or separated. The remaining skin is then pulled taut and repositioned for a firmer, flatter abdominal profile. Many patients who have experienced massive weight loss also have umbilical or incisional hernias, which can often be repaired during the tummy tuck procedure.
Circumferential Body Lift
A circumferential body lift, also referred to as a belt lipectomy or lower body lift, is one of the most comprehensive body contouring procedures available. This surgery addresses the abdomen, flanks, lower back, and buttocks in a single procedure. The surgeon makes an incision that extends completely around the body, similar to wearing a belt. Excess skin and fat from the entire midsection are removed, the abdominal muscles are tightened, and the remaining tissue is lifted and repositioned. This procedure results in a flatter abdomen, lifted buttocks, narrower waist, and improved overall body proportion. The circumferential approach ensures consistent, harmonious results around the entire lower torso.
Thigh Lift (Thighplasty)
Thighplasty removes excess skin from the inner and outer thighs, addressing the loose, sagging skin that commonly develops after major weight loss. The procedure involves incisions in the groin area and sometimes extending down the inner thigh, depending on the amount of excess skin. Dr. Hendrick removes the excess tissue and reshapes the thighs for a smoother, more toned appearance. This procedure significantly improves comfort during walking and exercise, eliminates chafing, and allows patients to wear fitted clothing with confidence.
Arm Lift (Brachioplasty)
An arm lift, or brachioplasty, is designed to remove excess skin and fat from the upper arms, a common concern following major weight loss. This procedure addresses the loose, hanging skin, sometimes referred to as “bat wings,” that can result from significant weight reduction or natural aging. During an arm lift, Dr. Hendrick makes incisions along the inside or back of the upper arm, often extending from the armpit to the elbow, depending on the amount of excess tissue. Through these incisions, excess skin and fat are removed, and the remaining skin is tightened to create a more toned, contoured appearance. In many cases, liposuction is also used to further refine the upper arm shape. After recovery, patients typically experience improved arm definition, greater comfort in fitted clothing, and enhanced self-confidence.
Mastopexy (Breast Lift)
Massive weight loss often results in deflated, sagging breasts that have lost volume and firmness. A mastopexy, or breast lift, raises and reshapes the breasts by removing excess skin and repositioning the nipple and areola to a more youthful position. The remaining breast tissue is reshaped to create a firmer, more uplifted appearance. Incision patterns vary depending on the degree of sagging but typically include incisions around the areola and vertically down to the breast crease, with a horizontal incision along the crease for more extensive lifts.
Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation uses implants or fat transfer to restore lost breast volume and create fuller, more proportionate breasts. After significant weight loss, many women find their breasts have lost substantial volume, appearing deflated or empty. Breast augmentation can be performed alone or in combination with a breast lift to achieve optimal results. During your consultation, Dr. Hendrick will discuss implant options including saline or silicone implants, various sizes, and placement techniques to help you achieve your desired breast appearance. The procedure involves creating a pocket for the implant either behind the breast tissue or beneath the chest muscle, then carefully positioning the implant for natural-looking results.
Does Insurance Cover A Body Lift?
In some cases, body lift surgeries may be covered by insurance when deemed medically necessary. Coverage varies significantly between insurance carriers and depends on documentation of medical issues caused by excess skin, such as chronic rashes, infections, or hygiene difficulties. Many patients find that at least portions of their body contouring procedures qualify for coverage, particularly when excess skin causes functional impairment or recurrent medical problems. Our office can work with your insurance provider to determine what coverage may be available for your specific situation.
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Contact the New Orleans Center for Aesthetics and Plastic Surgery today to find out more about expert skin lesion removal surgery.
Body Lift FAQs in New Orleans
How long does body lift recovery take?
Recovery time varies depending on which procedures are performed and whether they are done simultaneously or staged. Single-procedure body lift surgery is extensive and typically requires 4 to 6 weeks of recovery before returning to normal activities. You will likely remain on bed rest for the first 24 hours, with assisted walking beginning on the second day. Surgical drains to collect fluid are usually removed after about one week. Compression garments must be worn for approximately six weeks to aid healing and promote skin contraction. Most patients can return to light activities within two weeks but should avoid strenuous exercise for at least six weeks.
Who are good candidates for a body lift?
Ideal candidates have lost a significant amount of weight (typically 50% or more of excess body weight) and have maintained a stable weight for at least six months. You should be in good overall health, not smoke or be willing to quit, and have realistic expectations about the results. Body lift surgery is most effective once weight has stabilized, as continued weight fluctuations can compromise results.
What risks are associated with body lift surgery?
As with any major surgery, body lift procedures carry certain risks, including infection, bleeding, hematoma, seroma (fluid buildup), blood clots, deep vein thrombosis, fat necrosis, skin necrosis, numbness, unfavorable scarring, contour irregularities, skin discoloration, delayed healing, and complications from anesthesia. These risks are minimized by choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience in body contouring surgery. Dr. Hendrick will discuss all potential risks during your consultation.
Does a body lift leave visible scars?
Yes, body lift surgery does result in permanent scars. However, incisions are strategically placed to be concealed by underwear or swimwear whenever possible. While scars will initially appear red and raised, they typically fade significantly over 12 to 18 months and continue to improve over time. Most patients find that the dramatic improvement in body contour far outweighs concerns about scarring.
Does Dr. Hendrick perform a comprehensive body lift?
Yes, multiple procedures can often be performed during a single surgical session to reduce overall recovery time and costs. However, the extent of procedures that can be safely combined depends on several factors, including your overall health, the complexity of each procedure, and the total surgical time required. Dr. Hendrick will create a customized surgical plan that balances your goals with safety considerations.
How long must I wait after weight loss surgery to have a body lift?
Wait until your weight has stabilized for at least six months before undergoing body contouring surgery. This ensures that your body has reached its final size and that results will not be compromised by continued weight loss. Additionally, you need to be nutritionally stable and cleared by your bariatric surgeon before proceeding with body lift procedures.
Will a body lift help me lose weight?
Body lift surgery is not a weight loss procedure. While removing excess skin does eliminate several pounds, the primary goal is body contouring and reshaping rather than weight reduction. However, many patients find that after removing excess skin, they feel more comfortable exercising and are more motivated to maintain their healthy lifestyle, which can support continued weight management.
Contact the New Orleans Center for Aesthetics and Plastic Surgery today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Hendrick and learn more about expert body lift surgery.