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Body Lift Surgery in Houston
A body lift is one of the most powerful procedures in plastic surgery used to shape your body and create an hourglass figure. Dr. Vitenas is a true expert in body contouring having performed hundreds of full-body lift surgeries over his 30 years in practice.
Discover why patients from across the U.S. and around the world choose Dr. Vitenas as their premier Houston surgeon.
Body Lift
Before & After Photos
Each Patient is Unique and Individual Results May Vary
What is a Body Lift?
A body lift is a surgical procedure that firms and contours multiple parts of the entire body by removing excess skin and fat.
Body parts that can benefit from body lift surgery include the:
- Outer thighs
- Hips
- Abdomen
- Back
Body Lift Surgery Benefits
There is hope for those who have been struggling with excess skin and fat, despite their best efforts to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Popular surgical body lift procedures are now available that can address unwanted, hanging skin in various regions of the body. Treatments such as lower body lift, thigh lift, breast lift, arm lift, and buttock lift give a new look to the midsection and redefine the body.
There are many benefits of body lift surgery, including:
Who is a Candidate for Body Lift Surgery?
The best candidates for body lift surgery are men and women who have experienced significant weight loss, leaving them with excess sagging fat and skin. They are typically bothered by excessive fat that interferes with wearing certain types of clothing or participating in activities. This could be due to bariatric surgery, dietary changes, or exercise.
Ideal candidates should also:
- Have realistic expectations for the procedure and understand the limitations.
- Be in good physical and mental health.
- Have maintained a stable weight for at least six months prior.
- Be at or very close to their ideal body weight.
During each body lift consultation, Dr. Vitenas will assess a patient's candidacy based on:
- Skin elasticity
- Fat deposits
- And muscle tone
The Body Lift Surgery Procedure
Expert Body Lift Techniques
The incision length, pattern, and areas treated depend on each patient’s unique needs. Body lifting may include these surgical techniques:
- Belt Lipectomy – Removes loose, hanging skin of the abdomen and tightens abdominal muscles. The scar circles the waistline and can be hidden by underwear or a bikini.
- Complete Lower Body Lift – Reshapes the abdomen, thighs, hips, and buttocks in one procedure. Incisions extend all the way around the waist.
- Brachioplasty – Removes extra skin and excess fat between the underarm and elbow. Scarring is limited to the inner arm.
- Mastopexy – Reshapes sagging breasts by lifting tissue and reducing areola size.
On the day of surgery, patients wake up with a completely different body, all problem areas addressed and corrected, and a major boost in self-confidence from newly shaped contours.
The Houston Body Lift Consultation
- Medical history review – Previous surgeries, health conditions, and medications will be discussed.
- Physical exam – Dr. Vitenas will evaluate skin laxity, fat deposits, muscle tone, and other factors.
- Procedure explanation – Dr. Vitenas will describe the body lift process in detail and answer all questions.
- Candidacy determination – Based on the evaluation, Dr. Vitenas will make recommendations on proceeding.
- Risk discussion – Potential risks and complications will be reviewed.
- Cost estimate – Price ranges will be provided. This may vary based on the customized plan.
- Photographs – Pre-procedure photos will be taken for before and after comparisons.
Body Lift Surgery Recovery Process
- Immediately after the procedure, the patient will need assistance with daily activities at their residence for around one week.
- Surgical drains remove excess fluid and are removed after one week.
- Some swelling and bruising are common and resolve after around two weeks.
- Normal activity can typically be resumed after two to three weeks.
- Compression garments should stay on for around six weeks.
- Vigorous activity and exercise should wait four to six weeks when healing allows.
- Results will continue to refine over six months to a year as swelling subsides.
To recover from their body lift surgery with the highest level of success and comfort, patients are expected to follow all post-procedure guidelines from Dr. Vitenas. This includes wearing a compression garment to minimize swelling and support new contours. Proper wound care is essential, and prescription pain medication can be provided to manage any discomfort.
Follow-up appointments are extremely important for an optimal recovery. For more information on achieving the very best results from your body lift, read Dr. Vitenas’ body lift recovery guide.
Benefits of Choosing Dr. Vitenas for Your Body Lift
- Extensive experience with body lifts and post-weight loss surgeries
- A skilled artistic eye to create beautiful, natural-looking results
- A caring, compassionate approach that puts patients at ease
- A private accredited surgery center providing personalized care
- The latest body contouring techniques for safety and precision
- Realistic guidance on achieving goals and optimal results
Body Lift Surgery FAQ
A body lift is a surgical procedure to eliminate loose, overhanging skin and reshape the underlying tissue after major weight loss or in patients that require a more extensive procedure than a tummy tuck.
A 360 body lift is a complete lower body contouring procedure designed to address excess skin and fat. It combines techniques to reshape the abdomen, sides, back, buttocks, hips, and thighs in one surgery. The 360 lift helps refine contours all the way around the midsection. The 360 body lift is especially beneficial for those who've experienced massive weight loss and are left with significant excess skin and fat.
A body lift removes loose, excess skin for contouring after major weight loss. Liposuction is fat removal only and does not address skin laxity issues. However, liposuction can supplement a body lift by eliminating isolated fat pockets.
As with any major surgery, potential body lift risks include bleeding, infection, scarring issues, fluid buildup, blood clots, and adverse reactions to anesthesia. A skilled, board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Vitenas will take all necessary precautions to minimize risks.
The incisions required for skin removal will result in permanent scars. However, the surgeon strategically places the incisions so they can be hidden by the body's natural creases, undergarments, bathing suits, and clothing. Over time and with the appropriate care, the scars will fade significantly.
A body lift trims away redundant skin left behind after significant weight loss achieved through proper diet and exercise. The amount of weight lost directly correlates to the excess skin able to be removed by the surgeon. Many patients have experienced massive weight loss of 50 to 150 pounds. Healthy lifestyle choices post-procedure can help a patient maintain these life-changing results.
The cost depends on the extent of treatment needed as well as each patient's specific needs and goals. Things like additional combined procedures, surgeon experience, and geographic location also impact overall costs. For the most accurate quote, it is best to request a consultation with Dr. Vitenas so he can listen to your needs and provide a customized treatment plan.