Body Lift | Body Contouring After Massive Weight Loss in Atlanta

If you have undergone significant weight loss and feel frustrated that you’re now experiencing loose or hanging skin, body contouring at DiFrancesco Plastic Surgery might be right for you. Body contouring can help you reshape and contour the body to help you achieve your ideal image. Advanced techniques usually allow incisions to be placed in strategic locations where they can be hidden by most types of clothing.

WHAT IS BODY CONTOURING?

This cosmetic surgery often goes by a lot of different names or refers to different things. It’s sometimes even known as a reconstructive plastic surgery. Most often, body lifts address the lower body in areas like the abdomen, hips, buttocks, and thighs with a single surgical procedure. It focuses on removing excess fat and skin while also tightening the underlying tissues and muscles for a lifted, contoured figure. There are a few different techniques that can be used to achieve these results, and Dr. DiFrancesco can discuss your best options during a consultation.

BODY CONTOURING BENEFITS

Body contouring can get rid of excess skin that causes uncomfortable symptoms like chafing, sweating, and infection. However, there are many emotional benefits, too. After losing significant weight, being left with loose skin can be disheartening. Body contouring can uncover the body you’ve been working toward and help you put the finishing touches on your journey. It can improve your clothing fit and give you the confidence to try out new outfits altogether. And it can help you worry less about visible, hanging skin when you’re at the beach or wearing nothing at all.

GOOD CANDIDATES FOR BODY CONTOURING

The best candidates for a body lift procedure are those who recently went through massive weight loss and are left with stretched, sagging skin and stubborn fat around the midsection. It’s important that you be at or near your goal weight and have maintained your healthy lifestyle for some time. It’s also important to keep in mind that a body lift is not a weight loss procedure. During a consultation, Dr. DiFrancesco will assess your health and goals for this procedure to make sure it’s the right option for you.

BODY CONTOURING PROCEDURES

For many reasons, the lower body can carry excess skin and fat. Usually, it accumulates in areas like the hips, abdomen, and thighs after life events like weight loss or pregnancy. When it comes to stubborn fat and sagging skin, there’s little that can be done with diet and exercise alone. In this case, Dr. DiFrancesco can perform a lower body lift procedure to restore the lower body’s contours and remove excess tissue.

There’s no one way to go about your body lift procedure. Body lift patients each have different needs, including different amounts of loose skin and areas where that excess skin and fat accumulates. During a consultation, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. DiFrancesco can assess your body goals and create the right treatment package for you.

Body contouring is often performed in stages, and multiple procedures may be combined into one surgery. Dr. DiFrancesco can recommend the right combination of the following techniques.

ARM LIFT

The arm lift removes wings of skin and fat from the upper arms. A couple incision options are available, including along the inside of the arm and the back of the arm, but each results in a slimmer, more defined upper arm. If you’re bothered by the way your upper arms look when wearing a sleeveless shirt, an arm lift is a good choice.

LOWER BODY LIFT

The lower body lift (or belt lipectomy) is a more comprehensive procedure that removes skin and fat and creates new body contours in the hips, buttocks, and lower back. If you tend to carry weight in these areas, you likely have some sagging and stubborn fat left that makes it difficult to find pants that fit. It’s performed using a wraparound incision that lets Dr. DiFrancesco tighten the skin and lift the hips and buttocks.

MID BODY LIFT

The mid body lift is a combination procedure that functions like a more extensive tummy tuck. It removes stretched skin and fat from the abdomen but also from the waist, flanks, and upper thighs. If you carry weight in your midsection, you can likely benefit from this procedure. Like the tummy tuck, it can tighten abdominal muscles for a stronger core and reduce separation.

UPPER BODY LIFT

The upper body lift can benefit women in particular, but is available to anyone. The upper body lift is a combination procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the upper back, chest, and flanks, and can also include lifting the breasts to a higher, perkier position. For men, it might include techniques to reduce gynecomastia and sagging chest skin.

TUMMY TUCK

The tummy tuck is the quintessential body contouring procedure. It uses an incision in the bikini line to tighten abdominal muscles, remove sagging skin, and contour away stubborn fat. The result is a slimmer, trimmer stomach. Because many people carry weight in their stomachs, the tummy tuck is standard for most patients’ body contouring packages.

MEDIAL THIGH LIFT

The medial thigh lift, or inner thigh lift, is a procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the inner thighs. If you struggle with chafing or rubbing on your inner thighs when exercising, for example, a medial thigh lift can help. It can improve comfort and clothing fit, helping you feel more comfortable.

Before & After Photos

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PREPARING FOR BODY CONTOURING

Your first step is meeting with Dr. DiFrancesco to talk about your concerns and begin planning your body contouring procedure. She can help you select the lift procedures most appropriate to your needs and how to best combine them within the same surgical procedure. You’ll be given preparation instructions for general anesthesia and bloodwork, if needed. Make sure to avoid taking blood-thinning medications and live a healthy and active lifestyle in the weeks leading up to surgery.

BODY CONTOURING PROCEDURE

Each body contouring procedure is unique. Dr. DiFrancesco’s team will prepare you for surgery and administer anesthesia. Dr. DiFrancesco will create incisions in your treatment areas and perform the predetermined lift techniques. Once complete, you’ll be fitted with compression garments and sent home for recovery.

BODY CONTOURING RECOVERY

Since the body lift is an extensive procedure, you can expect to take at least one or two weeks away from your regular schedule. During this time, you should rest, recover, and avoid strenuous activities. Dr. DiFrancesco can use a long-acting nerve blocker to reduce discomfort during this time, although you’ll be prescribed medications to manage swelling. Patients should also wear compression garments for about six weeks to aid in the recovery process.

You can expect to return to your regular level of activity within six to eight weeks— however, Dr. DiFrancesco will provide an exact timeframe for your recovery and follow-up appointments. With regular exercise and a healthy diet, you can expect your results to last for the long term.

RESULTS OF BODY CONTOURING

Once your incisions are healed and most swelling is gone, you’ll begin to see your results. You’ll see more noticeable definition in your body and less fat. Most importantly, you’ll be free of sagging, excess skin. As long as you maintain a healthy and active lifestyle, you can enjoy your body contouring results for years to come.

RISKS OF BODY CONTOURING

Body contouring comes with risks like any other surgical procedure, including bleeding, infection, swelling, and more. Dr. DiFrancesco will thoroughly review the risks during a consultation so you can make an informed decision.

COST OF BODY CONTOURING

Body contouring can vary in cost based on the procedures you include in your package. However, a body contouring package can ultimately be cheaper than undergoing individual procedures because you can save on recurrent costs like anesthesia, recovery materials, and facilities. Dr. DiFrancesco and her team will give you a detailed cost estimate during a consultation.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM A BODY CONTOURING CONSULTATION

The lower body lift is a comprehensive way to address many different concerns you experience after you’ve lost significant weight. To begin discussing your options and planning your ideal body lift surgery, contact our Atlanta office by calling or filling out our online form. Dr. DiFrancesco can assess your goals and recommend the right options for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Schedule a Consultation

The lower body lift is a comprehensive way to address many different concerns you experience after you’ve lost significant weight. To begin discussing your options and planning your ideal body lift surgery, contact our Atlanta office by calling or filling out our online form. Dr. DiFrancesco can assess your goals and recommend the right options for you.