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· Facelift · Eyelid Surgery · Breast Augmentation and Breast Lift · Breast Reduction · Liposuction · Tummy Tuck · Surgery of the Nose · Reconstructive Surgery · Portrait Plasma · Body Lift ·
What’s all the buzz about Body Lifts?
Dr. Reath Explains All
Before and After Body Lift
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If you're watching shows, or reading magazines articles about plastic surgery, you're hearing more and more about body lifts. As I travel around the country to attend plastic surgery meetings, more and more sessions and discussions are about body lifts, or surgery following (massive) weight loss. And, in my practice, I am both recommending and performing more body lifts. So what is this all about?
Statistics regarding obesity in our country, and in our state are very troublesome. In a twenty year period, from 1985 to 2005, the prevalence of obesity in the adult population of Tennessee has risen from less than 10% to between 25 -29%! Quite an increase in a relatively short period of time. There are many factors that contribute to this including changes in diet, the amount of fast food in our diet, and decreases in the amount of exercise we are getting. All in all, this is not great news.
However, many people are fighting back. Some of my patients have had excellent success with massive weight loss through lifestyle changes: that is to say diet and exercise. Others, who have not been able to slim down in this way, have chosen the way of bariatric surgery, or weight loss surgery such as gastric bypass surgery. Both approaches have helped some people loss anywhere from 40 or 50 pounds up to over 100 or even 150 pounds! These patients have noticed tremendous improvements in how they feel, what they can do, and in how they look. This type of weight loss is quite literally life-changing.
However, as the pounds come off, there can be a large amount of loose, excess skin left behind. Unlike smaller amounts of weight loss which can occur in women who have had modest weight gain and loss with pregnancies, massive weight loss will leave behind skin in both the front and the back of the torso (not to mention other places such as the chest, arms, and legs). So, whereas a tummy tuck might be sufficient for the women with modest weight changes, a more involved operation is needed for the massive weight loss patient who has excess skin in the front, on the sides, and in the back. This is where the body lift comes in.
The Operation:
A circumferential body lift (sometimes called a lower body lift) treats the excess skin in the mid torso all the way around the body. In the back and sides, the excess skin of the upper buttocks, love handles, and lateral thighs is removed. In so doing the lateral thigh and the buttocks are lifted. Then, in the front the abdominal muscles are tightened and the excess skin is removed, as would be done with an abdominoplasty or tummy tuck. In some individuals this can amount to ten or twelve pounds of skin and fat.
The results can be quite dramatic. And the improvement in a person’s lifestyle, once all this excess skin has been removed is fantastic. Obviously there is a scar that runs all the way around the body, but the front, sides, and back are treated at the same time giving an improved overall result. While this operation is mainly done in the hospital with a one or two night stay, some patients can have this done on an outpatient basis.
In the past, this operation has really been reserved for the patient with massive weight loss. However, many people are concerned not just with the appearance of their abdomen, but about how they appear all the way around the body. And for some, the circumferential body lift may be a good option for a lesser degrees of skin excess or laxity, whether or not they have had massive weight loss.
As with all things, this is not for everyone. Some patients who are candidates for this wish to break this up into two operations. First do the tummy tuck, and later do a buttock thigh lift. And this can also give a great result. For others, the scar running all the way around their body is a concern. Generally, however, my experience has been that this is a very effective procedure. And, most importantly, my patients have been very pleased with the result.
It is my hope that none of us would have to deal with the after effects of massive weight loss. What’s best is for all us is to be in reasonable physical shape by exercising and eating appropriately. However, the statistics show that many people will struggle with their weight. And for those who have battled obesity and won, it’s great to have the circumferential body lift to take care of the skin that’s left behind.
 Some of the best ideas for taking care of our patients come from other patients. One of our liposuction patients told us about the Spanx Slim Cognito line. She said it is the perfect thing to wear while recovering from surgery. And boy was she right! Now we carry it in our store for all of our patients.
We had been searching for just the right compression garment for years because patients must wear them for several weeks after body contouring surgery. But really...who wants to wear bulky garments under clothes when you are excitied about new changes in your figure?
The Spanx Slim Cognito line we carry for our patients is not like their "power panties" which you find in most department stores. Slim Cognito garments are seamless and have the maximum compression available to provide the extra support our surgical patients need. Actually they look so slimming under clothes that our nonsurgical patients are buying them left and right.
We are carrying all four Spanx Slim Cognito products in nude and black. The bodysuit is unique because you attach it to your own bra. It is available as a regular bodysuit and a mid-thigh bodysuit. In addition we have a seamless control panty and a mid thigh  shaper.
Did you know? Compression garments tend to give your backside a flat uni-butt look. to avoid that look Spanx designed their line to be much more flattering. You won't feel the subtle butt shaper, but the natural look won't be lost on those in your wake!
Spanx Bodysuit $58 (pictured right), Spanx Mid-thigh Bodysuit $68 (pictured above), Spanx Control Panty $42 and Spanx Mid-thigh Shaper $58 (not-pictured)
Non-Surgical Procedures 
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