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Have you recently lost a significant amount of weight? Has your skin lost its youthful elasticity? Do you have excess fat and skin in one or more areas? You may want to improve the overall contours of your body and show off your more slender figure, but you’re wondering if body lift surgery is the right call for your situation.
You can expect to feel slimmer, tighter and more energized after you’ve healed, but possibly even immediately after your procedures. Considering the downtime, monetary costs and risks involved, you have a lot to think about. With such a big decision ahead, there’s a lot to think about, so we’ll go over everything involved with having a body lift procedure— the good, the bad, and the rest.
What’s a Body Lift?
A body lift is a type of cosmetic surgery that eliminates excess skin and fat and restores weakened or separated muscles. This procedure can address various issues, including excess skin after weight loss, sagging skin after pregnancy, and a weakened abdominal wall due to age or genetics. A body lift can also help improve the body’s overall shape and contour, giving you a more youthful, toned appearance.
If you’re considering a body lift procedure, you should know a few things to make an informed decision. Here, we’ll outline the various benefits of a body lift and explain what you can expect from the procedure. We’ll also discuss the potential risks and recovery process to ensure that a body lift is the right choice for you.
What’s the Recovery Like?
You should expect a few weeks of downtime with a major surgical procedure like a body lift. When it comes to surgery in general, the more you make space for proper healing, the better your results are, and fewer complications are likely to occur. All of this depends, of course, on how many incisions and areas you have ‘lifted,’ how your body tends to heal from wounds, and your level of aftercare.
Plan for the first week of genuinely resting, with limited walking that can increase as time goes on. After your post-surgical checkup, you will be released for more activity and movement if all is going well. Picking up anything above 10 pounds, aerobics, heavy exercise, and heavy physical work should be avoided for six to eight weeks. If you continue with limited movement, you may return to work in about 10 -14 days.
Most patients report that the first week or so is the most painful, which quickly subsides with medication that will be prescribed for you. Some stick with over-the-counter NSAIDs such as ibuprofen until all soreness and discomfort disappear, which also helps reduce any inflammation and swelling. OTC meds can be taken as long as needed, which is typically up to two weeks for most. Proper use of binding garments and icing will also reduce much of the discomfort.
What Will You Feel Like After?
Each person’s experience is different, so there’s no way to quote with any certainty exactly what you can expect after your body lift. However, with less bulky skin weighing you down, you can expect to feel lighter and tighter.
Most feel immediately slimmer, even with light swelling that occurs after surgery, which is reinforced by the bindings you’ll be wearing. As you heal, you’ll really start to notice the significant changes. You might stand taller, walk or move about more easily and you should feel confident to wear clothes that are a little more revealing without embarrassment. Many describe this as a relief and even empowering, while the only regret was not having their surgery sooner.
Is a Body Lift Worth it?
Obviously, we can’t see your future or guess how everything will go for you, but we can ask past clients what they think of their journeys to compare. Most patients agree that a body lift’s downtime and expenses are worth it compared to the many benefits and say it was definitely worth it.
Achieving a slimmer shape while removing excess skin goes a long way to helping you feel at home in your body. If you’ve lost significant weight, you likely want to celebrate it by showing off your new figure, which is still hiding under that extra tissue. But a body lift will help reveal the new you!
Schedule Your Body Lift Consultation in New Jersey!
Since most agree that planning ahead for the possible downsides eliminates the fears and reduces risks, it’s easy to see how the benefits typically outweigh the negatives. A body lift can be the final and most liberating step after significant weight loss.
So if you’ve reached that same conclusion and are convinced that getting a body lift is the right choice for you, don’t hesitate to call South Shore Plastic Surgery at (856) 322-8100 or click here to schedule your consultation. Our talented, Board Certified Dr. Vashisht will answer all your questions and set you up for success!