Your skin and body tissues lack the elasticity to conform to the shape of your body after substantial weight loss. A full body lift after weight loss can improve the shape and tone of underlying tissues that support fat and skin, and remove excess fat and skin. This procedure may be appropriate if your weight loss has stabilized, you do not smoke, are otherwise healthy and committed to leading a healthy life.
Components
A full body lift after weight loss may involve multiple procedures. A lower body lift corrects sagging around your abdomen and lower back, flattened or uneven buttocks and groin sagging into your inner thigh. The lower body lift can also correct sagging around your inner, outer and posterior thigh. A breast lift corrects sagging or flattened breasts. The arm lift procedure can correct loose skin that sags on your upper arms. Sagging around your inner, outer and mid thigh may require a thigh lift.
Procedure
Your doctor administers either intravenous anesthesia or general anesthesia. Intravenous anesthesia is a sedative that induces relaxation and pain relief. You remain conscious with intravenous anesthesia, but you may not remember the procedure after it is over. General anesthesia affects your whole body and you go to sleep. You retain no memory of the procedure with general anesthesia. The length and pattern of incisions depend on the amount and location of excess skin. Your surgeon uses sutures, skin adhesives and tapes to close your incisions. Dressings and bandages are applied to the incisions, and you may have a temporary thin tube under your skin to help drain fluids and blood that accumulate. Your doctor will give you specific instructions about caring for your surgical site, medications, warning signs and your follow-up appointment.
Risks
Risks of a full body lift after major weight loss include unfavorable scarring, infection, fluid accumulation and poor wound healing. You may lose skin, and experience numbness or other changes in skin sensation. Skin discoloration and prolonged swelling may occur after the procedure. Fatty tissue deep in your skin may die. Persistent pain, blood clots or swelling in your legs may occur. You may develop cardiac and pulmonary complications or deep vain thrombosis. Risks associated with anesthesia include temporary mental confusion, lung infections, stroke, heart attack and death.
Cost
The anesthesia fee, hospital facility fee and surgeon's fee make up the cost of your full body lift. Surgeon and hospital fees vary depending on the extent of the procedure and length of recovery. Insurance rarely covers the cost of a body lift. Your doctor can determine if your procedure is a medical necessity that your insurance can fully or partially cover. The total cost of your body lift may range from $12,000 to $50,000. Surgeons may offer payment plans and allow monthly installments over extended periods of time.
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