About Body Lift Surgery
As time passes, the body changes. These changes occur for various reasons, including the natural aging process, genetics and weight fluctuations. The changes that an individual experiences may include a loss of body definition, shape and rigidity. While preventing these changes is impossible, by combining several customized techniques, Dr. Sam Gershenbaum can use a body lift to address multiple areas of the body. Depending on the results an individual desires, many of these procedures can be performed during a single surgical session at his surgery center located in Miami.
What a Body Lift with Dr. Sam Gershenbaum in Miami can Accomplish
A body lift consists of a combination of procedures that are designed to re-sculpt the body.
With a body lift, Dr. G can improve the shape and profile of an individual’s body, thus, increasing his or her self-confidence. Dr. Gershenbaum can transform the body of patients who have excess skin and tissue remaining after massive weight loss and/or pregnancy.
In addition, Dr. G frequently performs body lift procedures for men and women in Miami who have had liposuction to remove excess fat pockets. He also performs these procedures for individuals who are interested in enhancing their physical appearance.
Substantial Weight Loss Can be a Life-Changing Achievement
Massive weight loss through diet and exercise or Bariatric surgery is usually a life-changing achievement, as it should be. Unfortunately, this accomplishment is frequently overshadowed by excess, sagging skin that no longer has the elasticity it needs to contract. Due to this excess skin, many people in Miami who accomplish excessive weight loss cannot confidently show off their slimmer bodies. However, at Dr. Gershenbaum’s Cosmetic Surgery Center located in Miami, he offers a variety of innovative procedures to address this excess, loose skin.
A Body Lift Following Excessive Weight Loss
A body lift for individuals who have lost a massive amount of weight usually consists of an Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), a thighplasty (thigh lift) and a Butt Augmentation (buttock lift). Typically, a body lift is performed at some point between 12 to 18 months after the individual’s gastric bypass procedure.
At Miami’s Dr. G Cosmetic Surgery Center, body lifts may be performed during a single surgical session or in stages. The type of procedures a patient is having performed determines the number of sessions he or she will need.
Following surgery, the majority of Dr. Gershenbaum’s patients report improvements in their daily lives. Patients who chose to have a body lift after excessive weight loss state that the rashes and discomfort they frequently experienced due to excess, sagging skin have diminished. Furthermore, their clothes fit better and their confidence has increased.
A Custom-Designed Body Lift in Miami
When Dr. Gershenbaum meets with a patient for his or her initial consultation, he will want to know what the patient would like to accomplish with a body lift. The patient’s answer determines which procedures should be performed during his or her surgical session.
Some of the most common procedures performed during a body lift include:
- a tummy tuck;
- a butt lift;
- liposuction;
- a breast lift;
- an arm lift; and a
- thighplasty.
An Upper Body Lift
An upper body lift focuses on firming and toning the upper back, outer chest, breasts, and the arms.
A Lower Body Lift
A lower body lift (belt lipectomy) can be used to sculpt the outer thighs, inner thighs, back of the thighs, lower abdomen, buttocks and hips.
During both of these procedures, remaining skin is tightened to create a slimmer appearance.
An Initial Consultation for a Body Lift with Dr. Gershenbaum at His Cosmetic Surgery Center Located in Miami
Dr. Gershenbaum and his staff encourage patients to ask questions during their initial consultation. Furthermore, patients need to be candid with Dr. G when answering his questions and providing the information requested below. All of the information gathered is necessary to ensure the patient receives the results he or she desires and remains safe during his, or her body lift procedure.
During the initial consultation, Dr. Gershenbaum will want to discuss the patient’s:
- Medical history, including surgeries, medical conditions and/or medical treatments.
- Current use of medications, herbal supplements and vitamins.
- Lifestyle choices, including whether he or she smokes, drinks alcohol and/or uses recreational drugs.
- Allergies to latex and/or medications.
- Previous negative reactions to anesthesia (if applicable).
- Desired results.
Once Dr. G knows what results the patient desires following his or her body lift, he will recommend the procedures that he believes will fulfill the patient’s desires. If the patient is interested in any of the procedures he recommends, Dr. Gershenbaum will also provide the patient with details related to those particular procedures. All surgeries are performed at Dr. G Cosmetic Surgery Center, which is located in Miami.
Preparing for a Body Lift
Prior to their procedure, patients receive preoperative instructions. Dr. Gershenbaum usually requests that his patients visit their physician to receive a release for surgery. In addition, a variety of routine tests may be ordered. For example, women who are having a breast lift will most likely need to have a mammogram prior to their procedure.
Before their surgery, patients will need to:
- Stop smoking for approximately 4 weeks (before and after their procedure).
- Avoid the products on Dr. Gershenbaum’s list. To view his list, click here.
- Find someone to care for him or her, or make arrangements for assistance from a company that provides at-home skilled nursing care.
- Maintain a steady weight, especially before an upper body lift.
- Patients who have had Bariatric surgery may need to visit their Bariatric surgeon to ensure they have achieved their final weight plateau.
- Do their best to comply with any lifestyle changes or weight benchmarks. Complying with these recommendations minimizes the chance of a complication and allows the patient to receive the best surgical results possible.
Results Achieved with a Body Lift in Miami are Long-Lasting
If an individual adheres to eating a healthy diet and maintaining an exercise routine, the results achieved with his or her Miami body lift will be long-lasting.
At-Home Recovery Preparation
Establishing a support system of friends and family prior to surgery for the length of time that Dr. G recommends is critical to the patient’s recovery.
At-Home preparations include:
- Placing objects in areas that are easy to reach (i.e., clothes, slip-on shoes, paper products, food, etc.).
- Preparing meals that are easy to reheat.
- Completing all chores and household tasks prior to the surgery date.
- Stocking up on lean protein, fruits and vegetables. Lean protein actually assists the body as it heals.
- Avoiding salt consumption. Salt increases inflammation.
- Finding someone to care for small children (5 years or younger) and/or pets while he or she heals. This type of assistance is necessary for at least 2 weeks.
- Having plenty of extra pillows, wedge pillows and throws within easy reach.
- Finding/Purchasing clothing that does not have to be lifted over the head.
- Placing everything they think they will need during early recovery within reach. For example, the television remote, telephone/cell phone with its charger, water, medications, facial tissue and reading material.
Possible Body Lift Procedures – Explained
Patients receive anesthesia during their procedures with Dr. Gershenbaum at his facility in Miami. Therefore, patients who are having outpatient procedures need to bring a driver with them to the center on the day of their surgery.
Surgery can last anywhere from 3 to 5 hours. Surgery length depends on the procedures that are being performed.
Upper Body Lift Procedures
A Back Lift
Men who have excess skin on their lower or middle back receive an incision on each side of their midback, where the folds were. For women, the incision is created near the bra line, which makes it easy to hide the resulting scar under clothing. Dr. G removes the excess skin. He closes the incisions using glue, tape and/or absorbable sutures.
An Upper Arm Lift (Brachioplasty)
Individuals considering an upper arm lift may choose to have any excess fat removed via liposuction.
Liposuction
To perform liposuction on the upper arm, small incisions are made in the patient’s arm. These incisions are used to insert a thin tube. This tube is attached to a specially-designed vacuum. Dr. G moves the tube back and forth to break up and remove the excess fat.
Removing Excess Skin
To remove the loose skin on the upper arm, Dr. Gershenbaum will make an incision along the back of the patient’s upper arm or underneath the armpit. Individuals having an upper arm lift following substantial weight loss will most likely have an incision running from their armpit to their elbow. Furthermore, depending on the amount of weight a patient has lost, the incision may need to extend along a portion of his or her upper chest wall and toward the back. Dr. G removes the excess skin via this incision.
Incision length and location will be discussed with the patient prior to his or her surgical procedure.
A Breast Lift
During a breast lift, Dr. G will most likely make three incisions. One incision will be created around the areola, one will extend from the base of the areola to the inframammary fold (breast crease at the base of the breast) and the last incision will follow the natural crease, and curve of the inframammary fold. Dr. Gershenbaum removes the excess skin and the patient’s areola and nipple are relocated to a higher position on her breast.
Depending on the needs of the patient, Dr. G may forego one or more of the incisions listed above.
Gynecomastia – Breast Reduction Surgery for Men
Gynecomastia Surgery Via Liposuction in Miami
If necessary, Dr. Gershenbaum will use liposuction to remove excess fatty tissue from a man’s breast. To perform liposuction, several tiny incisions will be made. These incisions are used to insert a thin, hollow tube that is connected to a vacuum. Using this vacuum, Dr. G removes excess fatty tissue from the breast. There are several different liposuction techniques that can be used to remove this excess fat. The technique Dr. Gershenbaum uses will depend on the patient’s specific needs. The scars that remain from these tiny incisions fade with time.
Gynecomastia – The Excision Technique
When glandular tissue and excess skin must be removed, excision techniques are necessary. In addition, men who need their areola reduced and/or repositioned (with the nipple) to a more natural location on their chest will need to have the excision technique. Incision patterns vary and are determined by the needs of each patient.
During Gynecomastia surgery, some men receive a combination procedure that includes both liposuction and excision techniques.
A Lower Body Lift
When performing a lower body lift, Dr. G creates an incision that extends around the patient’s waist. At this time, he can use liposuction to remove excess fat from the outer thighs, lower abdomen and buttocks. Once the liposuction procedure is complete, he will remove the excess skin and tighten the skin that remains. The resulting scar is easily hidden by clothing.
An Extensive Lower Body Lift
Some patients will need a more extensive procedure that includes a tummy tuck, buttock lift and lateral thigh lift. In a case such as this, the lower body lift may require two separate procedures. During the first procedure, Dr. Gershenbaum performs a tummy tuck. During the second procedure, Dr. G performs the buttock and lateral thigh lifts.
The Recovery Area
- Directly after surgery, patients may have surgical drains. These drains keep fluid from accumulating within the incisions.
- Most patients will also be wearing some kind of a compression garment. These garments are designed to support the tissues, controls swelling and smooth the skin.
- Dr. Gershenbaum will determine when the patient can be released to his or her driver.
- Some patients may be required to have continued medical care for a few days after their procedure.
- Patients and their caregivers will receive detailed information that relates specifically to the patient’s recovery prior to leaving the Miami surgery center.
- This information will include detailed instructions about what symptoms and signs could indicate a problem, normal symptoms and how to properly care for drains (when applicable).
What to Expect After:
An Upper Arm Lift
Patients should expect to have compression garments around their incision sites. After this surgery, patients may need to keep their arms elevated (above their heart) for a few days. Within 2- to 3-weeks, patients will regain normal function of their arms and hands.
A Back Lift
A garment will be present around the incision sites. Patients will most likely need to refrain from lying on their backs until they have fully recovered.
A Breast Lift
After a breast lift, patients will have gauze and a support bra over their breasts. In addition, drain tubes may be present. These tubes will be removed several days after the procedure.
A Thighplasty
Following a thighplasty, patients may have drainage tubes. Patients should expect to have bandages and an elastic binder or compression garment around their thighs. Incisions must not be subjected to force, motion or abrasion as they heal.
A Butt Lift
After a butt lift, patients may have drains. Patients will have a support garment following their procedure. They will need to wear this garment continuously, until Dr. Gershenbaum states otherwise.
A Tummy Tuck
The patient’s abdomen will be lightly bandaged and an elastic binder is applied. In addition, drainage tubes may be present. Most patients will need to remain on bed rest for the first week following an abdominoplasty.
At-Home Recovery
Patients will have mild to moderate swelling in the areas treated. This inflammation usually subsides within a week. Heavy lifting, strenuous exercise and bending must be avoided for at least 2 weeks after surgery. The majority of Dr. G’s patients can return to work within 3 weeks. About 6 weeks after surgery patients can typically resume their normal activities.
The Resulting Scars
Patients will have scars following their body lift procedure; however, these scars can be easily hidden under clothing, including swimsuits. Additionally, as long as these scars are not exposed to sunlight (ultraviolet rays), they will become lighter with time.
When choosing a plastic and reconstructive surgeon, choose one who has experience performing a variety of plastic surgery procedures. Dr. Sam Gershenbaum is an award-winning plastic and reconstructive surgeon in Miami. People from all over the world visit Miami seeking his expertise. If you decide you would like to schedule an initial consultation, or you are interested in learning more about the procedures available at Dr. G’s Cosmetic Surgery Center, feel free to contact us today at 305.933.1838 or use our online contact form by clicking here.