About Body Lifts

If you're watching shows, or reading magazines articles about plastic surgery, you're hearing more and more about body lifts.  As we travel around the country to attend plastic surgery meetings, more sessions and discussions are about body lifts, or surgery following (massive) weight loss.  And, in the practice, we are 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 portion sizes in our diet, the amount of fast food we eat, 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 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 lose 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 men and women who have had modest weight gain 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 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.

It is important to understand that a body lift is not considered a weight loss procedure and is best suited for men and women that are in relatively good shape. A body lift is not recommended for you if you still need to lose a significant amount of weight or if you plan on becoming pregnant again.

We have included a Body Mass Index calculator for you to get a general idea if you may be a good candidate for a tummy tuck at your present weight. You should have a BMI less than 30 to consider a body lift.

If you have a BMI over 30 and live in the Knoxville area, a private workout facility with an individual trainer may give you the accountability and encouragement you need. Read more here.

Before and After Photos of Dr. Reath's Body Lift Patients

Before and After Body Lift- This 52-year-old came to Dr. Reath after losing a lot of weight through diet and exercise. Concerned about the loose skin in her abdomen, thighs and buttocks, Dr. Reath felt she would be an ideal candidate for a circumferential body lift. She is seen here before and after her procedure. She was so excited about her new tummy, she got her belly button pierced!

Before and After Brachioplasty (Arm Lift)- Having always struggled with her weight, this 23-year-old told us that her upper arms had always been out of proportion to the rest of her body. Then, she lost 50 pounds, which further exacerbated the situation. Her right arm was much worse than her left arm. Dr. Reath performed a brachioplasty and she was so happy to have that excess skin and fat go away!

Before and After Medial (Inner) Thigh Lift: She is 5’5” and weighs 148 pounds. Here is a 47-year-old woman who struggled with her weight after the birth of her children. Eight months prior to her visit to our office, she had gastric bypass surgery and successfully brought her weight down from 236 to 148 with a BMI of 24. She started exercising and eating much better. Unfortunately as a result of her weight loss, she was saddled with a generalized amount of excess skin. She is pictured before and six months after her medial thigh lift.

Before and After Body Lift: This is a 43-year-old woman who had been struggling with her weight following the birth of her two children. She also had a period of bedrest following an accident which contributed to her weight gain. Dr. Reath performed a circumferential body lift with this amazing change in her figure. She is pictured here soon after the surgery. Her incisions will continue to heal and lighten over time.

The Body Lift 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.  There will be a scar that runs 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.  Helping our patients manage a speedy recovery is one of our primary missions. 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 is a concern.  Generally, however, experience has shown that this is a very effective procedure with the benefits far outweighing the scar.  And, most importantly, patients have been very pleased with the result.

It is our hope that none of us would have to deal with the after effects of massive weight loss. What’s best 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.

Body Lift Pricing

It is difficult to give you pricing for body lift surgery because the cost varies so widely from patient to patient. The cost is dependent on the amount of skin and fat to be removed and the time it will take in the operating room. Most patients will need to spend at least one night in the hospital but some require two nights and others can be treated as an outpatient. In addition, there will be a certain amount of labwork required.

During your consultation, you will be given a surgical quote which will detail these costs based on your particular needs. It will include surgery fees, anesthesia, any overnights, all follow-up visits and our exclusive recovery kit.

For pricing on arm lifts only, visit our arm lift page.

In some rare cases body lifts are considered "medically necessary" and not cosmetic in nature. At these times, insurance companies will cover some portion of these procedures. When this is the case, we do still require the full fees to be paid up front. As a courtesy we will file a claim after your operation to help you attain some reimbursement.

[Also included in the price of your surgery is a CosmetAssure policy, which protects you in the unlikely event of a complication after surgery. We are the only plastic surgeon's office in Knoxville to provide this important insurance. Read Dr. Reath's blog post where he explains why he feels so strongly about offering this extra safety net to our patients.]

Body Contouring After Weight Loss Podcast

You may find the following "Today In Plastic Surgery Podcast" helpful in your research.

Body Contouring following major weight loss can improve body image by removing excess sagging skin and fat, resulting in a more normal body appearance, with smoother contours.

In this podcast, an ASPS Member Surgeon discusses the plastic surgery options available to people who have experienced massive weight loss.

Also, his patient, Sue, describes her experiences going from a size 58 to a size 18 through bariatric surgery, and then to a size 8 via a series of procedures known as body contouring.

Click on the icon to listen.

Good candidates for body contouring are:

• Adults of any age whose weight loss has stabilized
• Healthy individuals who do not have medical conditions that can impair healing or increase risk of surgery
• Non-smokers
• Individuals with a positive outlook and realistic goals for what body contouring can accomplish
• Individuals committed to leading a healthy lifestyle including proper nutrition and fitness

Great Resources for Your Plastic Surgery Research

To Read More about Arm Lifts, or Brachioplasty, Visit our Arm Lift Page.

Printable Lists

So you can be better prepared for your consultation, we have prepared a list of important plastic surgery questions you will want to ask your doctor before you have your surgery. If your consultation is with Dr. Reath, please feel free to print this out and he will be happy to go everything with you during your visit. Top Ten Questions to Ask your Plastic Surgeon

Even though the majority of cosmetic surgery patients are pleased with their results, the decision to have a procedure is a big one. It is normal to have questions, and it's important to answer them honestly. In the end, you want to be completely comfortable with your decision.So, are you clear about your motivations for surgery? Are your expectations realistic? Test yourself by answering these important questions. How to Know if You Are  Ready for Plastic Surgery.

Not in Knoxville? Click Here for Help For Out of Town Patients

Injectable Wrinkle Treatments