Body Lift Surgery in Houston

Name: Body Lift
Brand: Dr. Vitenas
Rating: 4.8 (750 reviews)

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.

“Dear Dr. Vitenas, Met you and had the privilege of being one of your patients, was a nice experience. I came from Italy and put my life and my body in to your hands with great confidence. Your professionalism, kindness, and humanity make your honor! You are not only a doctor, you are “THE DOCTOR.” This present is a way to say thank you for changing my life. Always you will remain in my heart. With love.”

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Body Lift
Before & After Photos

Each Patient is Unique and Individual Results May Vary

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What is a Body Lift?

After losing a significant amount of weight, it is common for patients to notice an increase in skin laxity in various areas of the body. This can often occur weeks or months after bariatric surgery or other weight loss efforts. The rapid loss of fatty tissue causes the skin to lack elasticity and become loose. While this condition affects older patients more often than younger ones, it can happen to anybody. These conditions can wear down one’s self-confidence and negatively impact their overall quality of life.

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

If the patient has poor tissue elasticity, tightening procedures may be required in multiple areas to remove the unwanted skin and improve body contours. With a body lift procedure provided by Dr. Vitenas in Houston, TX, patients can achieve a tighter, smoother, and more proportionate silhouette.

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:

Increased Confidence

After a body lift, many patients experience restored self-esteem and self-confidence. The dramatic transformation helps them feel more comfortable in clothes and eager to show off their figure. A body lift allows one to finally achieve the body they have worked so hard for through diet, exercise, and weight loss.

Enhanced Body Contour

A surgical body lift revitalizes body shape, restoring a youthful waist, lifting the thighs and buttocks, and smoothing body contour while eliminating unwanted skin folds. This procedure enhances the body’s overall aesthetic.

Improved Health

By removing excess skin, the body lift surgery helps to reduce skin inflammation and lowers the risk of developing certain medical issues. It also decreases the likelihood of hernias by tightening weakened abdominal muscles.

Strengthened Core

Body lift surgery contributes to strengthening the core, providing more stability and balance, improving posture, and reducing potential back pain. A stable core can positively affect many other areas in the body.

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

Based on each patient’s specific needs and goals, Dr. Vitenas will determine if a patient can benefit from a body lift or alternate plastic surgery procedures. Additional concerns like breast sagging may be addressed with a breast lift combined with body contouring.

The Body Lift Surgery Procedure

Body lift surgical procedures begin with Dr. Vitenas marking all of the incision sites. Patients will receive general anesthesia to ensure that they are comfortable throughout the procedure. The body lift procedure takes between four and five hours to complete and is performed under general anesthesia. Dr. Vitenas will make incisions and strategically remove excess skin, subcutaneous fat, and tissue from the midsection. Using sutures, the remaining skin is tightened, and the incisions are closed. Because of the personalized nature of surgical body lifts, a variety of techniques can be used.

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

The initial consultation at our Houston practice provides an opportunity to discuss body lift surgery goals and determine if it is the right treatment option.

Here are some details on what to expect:

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.

During the consultation, patients should openly communicate their goals for surgery and address any concerns. Dr. Vitenas welcomes any and all questions. He provides expert body lift guidance so patients can feel confident about their decision before and after their procedure.

Body Lift Surgery Recovery Process

Because each patient’s goals and needs are unique, recovery time may vary. The initial recovery period typically lasts from four to six weeks as the body heals. In general, the timeline of body lift recovery is as follows:

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

When considering a body lift procedure, it is important to choose between the most experienced plastic surgeons with an active commitment to helping you achieve the best results. Dr. Vitenas is a board-certified plastic surgeon located in Houston, TX, with expertise in many different body contouring procedures. As a leading Texas cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Vitenas offers these benefits:

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

With over 30 years of experience, Dr. Vitenas has the expertise to properly evaluate candidacy, develop customized surgical plans, and deliver satisfying outcomes. His inviting practice offers a comfortable, spa-like environment to make the entire process simple and relaxing.

Body Lift Surgery FAQ

What is Body Lift Surgery?

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.

What is a 360 Body Lift?

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.

What is the Difference Between a Body Lift and Liposuction?

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.

What are Potential Complications of Body Lift Surgery?

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.

Does a Body Lift Procedure Leave Visible Scars?

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.

How Much Weight Can You Lose with a Body Lift?

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.

How much does a body lift cost?

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.