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What Is a Body Lift?

Posted February 21, 2024 By: The Office of Birmingham Specialists

Body Lift


Need help determining what a body lift can do and if it’s right for you? Body lift surgery sculpts and improves body contours from the midsection to the lower portions. Here, we discuss how body lift surgery works, what role liposuction plays, what body lift results look like, and what to expect from the recovery process. 

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3 Min Read:

What Can a Body Lift Achieve? 

If you’ve experienced significant weight loss from pregnancy, bariatric surgery, or just lifestyle changes, then you may be a good candidate for body lift surgery. Sagging skin can make your body look disproportionate and hide your body contours. Many people feel as though they can’t appreciate the weight they’ve lost while they still have excess skin hanging over their bodies. A body lift addresses this excess skin in the abdomen area, thighs, and buttocks and gets rid of stubborn fat. 

How Does the Body Lift Procedure Work? 

Before your body lift procedure, the first step is coming in for a consultation with us. The consultation is an imperative part of the body lift process, as you’ll discuss your goals with your surgeon and learn what techniques they’ll use to achieve your desired results. 

During your procedure, general anesthesia will be used for your comfort. Your surgeon will create an incision on your beltline, which may stretch to the hips and lower back, depending on the results you are trying to achieve. Excess skin will be trimmed away, and the remaining skin will be tightened so it lays smoothly over the new body contours. Your surgeon will use sutures to seal the remaining skin in place. 

What Is Liposuction Used for During a Body Lift? 

Even when you’ve lost major weight, some fat may still cling to unwanted areas. Liposuction removes excess fat during a body lift. This step occurs after your surgeon has created the incision and before they have trimmed the extra skin. 

While you may have chosen a body lift to primarily eliminate excess sagging skin, a body lift can also remove stubborn pockets of fat resistant to diet and exercise. Removing excess fat in the areas you are targeting with a body lift will help improve your body contours and overall enhance your body’s appearance. 

What Results Can I Expect From a Body Lift? 

After your body lift, you can expect your treatment areas to be free of excess sagging skin and fat. Your body contours will be more sclupted and defined, and will contribute to an overall more balanced appearance with the rest of your body. 

How Should I Prepare for Body Lift Recovery? 

Most patients need to stay overnight at the facility after their body lift surgery. You can expect to wear a compression garment during the first part of your recovery to help minimize swelling and speed up your body’s healing process. We recommend that you take short walks during your recovery, as this will help with your blood circulation. However, it’s also important to listen to your body’s needs and rest if you need it. All strenuous activities need to be abstained from during the first two weeks of recovery, and you should ask your surgeon to clear you before participating in any physically intense activity, 

Want to Learn More About Body Lift Surgery in Birmingham, AL? 

To learn more about body lift surgery in the Birmingham, AL, area, call our office at (205) 298-8660 or fill out our online contact form today!