Body lift surgery is a comprehensive procedure designed to remove loose and sagging skin and stubborn fat deposits from several areas of the body. Less one procedure than a combination of several, body lift may include:
- Liposuction to remove fat that has proven resistant to diet and exercise. Liposuction can be used on any area of the body with excess fat
- Thigh Lift to remove excess skin and restore definition to the upper legs
- Buttock Lift to improve the size, shape, and symmetry of the derriere
- Abdominoplasty to eliminate sagging skin, excess fat, and stretch marks from the belly. Abdominoplasty can also be used to reattach separated abdominal muscles
- Arm Lift to reduce batwings and create a better-defined upper arm
- Breast Reduction to restore comfort, eliminate pain, and improve the appearance of overly-large, heavy, or pendulous breasts
Each of these surgical options requires an incision. Incisions can leave scars. However, there are several steps you can take to prevent complications and help reduce the visibility of scars over time.
Reducing Your Risks
Blood thinning medications, anticoagulants, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs will need to be avoided in the days leading up to your surgery. These will also need to be avoided for a few weeks post-surgery to help reduce the risks of scarring.
Vasoconstrictors, such as nicotine, will need to be avoided as well. Nicotine increases the risk of developing thick, ropey, and brightly colored scars. This is true regardless of delivery method and includes e-cigarettes, chew, and snuff, along with traditional cigarettes, pipes, and cigars.
We will provide detailed instructions for your postoperative care. These may include using compression garments, keeping your incisions dry and clean, and limiting many physical activities. Followed diligently, these instructions will help improve your healing response and reduce your risks of developing visible scars.
With proper care, scars from body lift surgery should fade within a few months to a year. If your scars are still noticeable at that point, silicone scar sheets or a scar revision gel can be used. In some cases, chemical peel or laser skin resurfacing can also be used to diminish the appearance of scars.
Body lift surgery will leave scars. However, how visible those scars become is dependent on several factors. Call us at 239-939-5233 to schedule a one-on-one consultation and learn more.
