Body lift surgery is a procedure done to

• remove excess skin and fat from the abdomen, hips and lower back,
•  to lift the buttocks and outer thighs and
• to tighten the underlying muscles of the abdominal wall

occurring as a result of

• massive weight loss
• gravity and
• ageing

A body lift is considered for the following

• A loss of skin elasticity of the body, hip, or buttock areas
• The skin area is saggy, has an "orange peel," flabby and/or dimpled appearance
• The body appearance improves dramatically when the loose skin is lifted
• There is a desire to improve lower body appearance

• Candidates who are physically healthy, psychologically healthy and have realistic expectations from the procedure
• Candidates who seek improvement rather than perfection

• Blood clots, infection
• Delayed wound healing
• Heavy scarring and numbness
• Persistent swelling of the body
• Nerve injury that can result in numbness and change in feeling
• Body contour abnormalities resulting in depressions etc
• Reactions to anaesthesia

• During the initial consultation, a thorough discussion on the expectations of the patient is understood
• The surgeon shall perform a medical evaluation to rule out factors that may affect the procedure such as uncontrolled high blood pressure, blood clotting problems, or the tendency to form excessive scars.
• Photographs are taken for further comparison after procedure.
• The doctor discusses and advises on options of anaesthesia, surgery, type of facilities and cost with the patient.
• A surgeon will show the various procedures available to solve the particular problem and meet clothing or personal desires.
• The patient must inform doctor of any previous injury or surgery, allergies, infections, smoking habits, recreational drugs and medications being taken.
• The doctor provides guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, taking or avoiding certain vitamins and medications
• Steroid injections may be given before the surgery to reduce swelling
• Vitamins may be prescribed to promote healing
• The patient must arrange for transportation and assistance to leave for home after the surgery.

This operation is performed under general or local anaesthesia.

• Incisions
  • A short incision is made that extends from the anterior part of the body/groin crease around to the buttock crease to raise the inner body only
    or
  • A long incision is made that starts in the buttock crease, extends around the groin, up over the side of the abdomen, over the flank and across the back to lift the entire body and buttock (circumferential lower body lift).

• The skin on the body is separated from the fat and muscle below after which the excess skin is removed.
• The remaining skin is stretched back in place and the incisions are closed with small stitches.
• The area is wrapped with bandages to aid healing.
• A small drainage tube may remain under the skin for several days in order to drain excess fluid.

Length of surgery: 1-2 hours

The surgery is usually done as an outpatient procedure except in larger body lifts where 1-2 nights stay may be required.

• Patients may experience some numbness and temporary discomfort around the incision, which can be controlled with prescription medication.
• The patient is advised to walk as much as possible to reduce swelling.
• The body is are either wrapped or placed in a compression garment at the end of the procedure to assist in the natural shrinking and tightening of the skin and to reduce the swelling
• Bruising and swelling usually subside within a month and almost all symptoms are gone in 4 to 6 months.
• The stitches are removed within a week while deeper sutures aren’t removed until two or three weeks after

• The patient must take the prescribed antibiotics and continue to wear the compression garment
• The patient must take proper care of the incisions following surgery
• The patient must walk as much as possible to reduce swelling.
• Patients may return to work within two to four weeks.
• The patient must avoid strenuous activities for at least a month