Body Lift Surgeries
Body Lift Surgeries
Many people suffer from body sagging and excess skin, especially after significant weight loss. So, how can you tighten your body after losing weight with Dr. Ahmed Mekkawy using the latest available techniques? Find out in the following article.
Body Lift Surgeries after Weight Loss:
Based on the areas affected by sagging, patients can choose between an upper body lift, a lower body lift, or even a total body lift. The results of these procedures are usually highly satisfying, especially for cases of severe body sagging and excess skin. One of the most effective methods for body tightening is surgical intervention, but there is another method for those with mild to moderate sagging, which is VASER for liposuction and body sculpting.
Candidates for Body Lift Surgeries after Weight Loss:
You will be a good candidate for a body lift in these cases:
• You have lost approximately 30 to 50 percent of your excess weight.
• You have skin sagging and some mild accumulated fat beneath the skin in several areas.
• Your weight is relatively stable without sudden increases or decreases.
• You are in good health and do not suffer from any chronic conditions that may hinder the procedure.
• You do not plan to become pregnant again, as pregnancy and childbirth may affect the results.
• You should follow a healthy diet and regularly exercise to maintain the results after the procedure.
• You should be a non-smoker or be able to quit smoking at least two weeks before the procedure and during the recovery period.
Visiting Dr. Ahmed Mekkawy and Consultation:
During your visit to Dr. Ahmed Mekkawy for consultation, the following will happen:
• He will discuss your goals and expectations for this cosmetic procedure.
• He will examine the areas affected by sagging and take some photos of them.
• He will inform you about the risks and side effects of the procedure and how to minimize them.
• He will inquire about your medical history and your family medical history, as well as any previous surgeries you have undergone.
• He may request some tests and analyses.
• He will adjust some medication doses you are taking and may also ask you to stop taking certain medications before the procedure, such as blood thinners.
There will be multiple consultations with Dr. Ahmed Mekkawy before undergoing a body lift procedure. During these consultations, he will determine the following with you:
• The type of procedure used for body tightening.
• The type of anesthesia used during the procedure.
• The instructions and guidelines to follow before undergoing the procedure.
• Whether you will spend a night in the hospital or not.
• What will the recovery period be like, and what can you do during this period?
After ensuring that the necessary work has been done before the surgery, the date for undergoing the body tightening procedure will be determined.
Body Lift Surgeries Cost:
The cost of body lift surgeries after weight loss varies according to several factors, including the percentage of body sagging, the type of anesthetic used, and the cost of accommodation and transportation if you come from another country.
• The cost of a tummy tuck with Dr. Ahmed Mekkawy starts at $2,800.
• The cost of an arm lift starts at $1,960.
• The cost of a thigh or buttock lift starts at $2,500.
• The cost of male chest contouring for treating gynecomastia starts at $1,960.
• Finally, breast lifts and reductions for women start at $2,235.
You can also tighten more than one area, such as your choice of tightening the upper part of the body, which includes the arms, chest, and shoulders, or the lower part of the body, which includes the abdomen, buttocks, and thighs, or tightening the entire body in several separate sessions.
Body Lift Surgeries:
Body lift procedures require surgical intervention and sometimes involve making several surgical incisions. However, the length and position of these incisions vary depending on the amount of excess skin and tissue to be removed and what the doctor considers most suitable for your case. Advanced techniques now allow surgical incisions to be placed in inconspicuous areas after recovery, and they can be hidden within the folds of the body and clothing.
These procedures are performed under either local or general anesthesia, depending on what is most suitable for your case. The most common technique for lower body contouring involves making a bikini line incision to tighten the abdomen, flanks, thighs, and buttocks. For upper body contouring, a surgical incision may be made under the armpits to lift the breasts, chest, back, and arms. However, some cases may require an incision along the arms to treat laxity, and some cases may require liposuction in addition to skin tightening to remove the thin layer of subcutaneous fat before tightening. Finally, the resulting surgical incision is closed with cosmetic sutures, covered with medical dressings and compression garments, and then the recovery period begins.
Recovery period and results of Body Lift after weight loss:
During recovery, Dr. Ahmed Mekkawy will inform you how to care for the wound, change the bandages, and the time required to wear the medical corset.
In addition, he will give you some instructions to ensure your better recovery:
• Complete rest and avoid any strenuous physical activity.
• Drink large amounts of fluids and water and consume foods rich in vitamins and minerals.
• Ensure proper and consistent use of the medical compression garment as advised by the doctor, as it helps prevent skin bunching, sagging, or fluid accumulation.
• Completely avoid smoking and alcohol for some time.
• The sutures will be removed within one to ten days, after which you can gradually resume your normal activities.
• Body lift results become apparent almost immediately and continue to improve over time as swelling and bruising gradually subside.
There are some frequently asked questions about body tightening after weight loss, including the following:
Do I need to lose a large percentage of my weight before undergoing body lift surgery, or can I do it in other cases?
It is not necessary to have lost a significant amount of weight to undergo a body lift procedure. Weight loss and subsequent weight gain, as well as weight instability, can lead to a loss of skin elasticity. In other cases, external factors such as aging, prolonged direct sun exposure, pregnancy, multiple childbirths, advanced gynecomastia, or even genetic and hereditary factors can cause skin laxity. All of these cases may require body contouring to the same extent as individuals who have recently lost weight.
Can liposuction be used instead of Body Lift to treat sagging?
All different liposuction techniques aim to treat localized fat deposits and sculpt the body. During liposuction, the body is tightened to a certain degree, and some existing sagging may be addressed, but usually, it is for mild to moderate sagging. Severe body sagging, where the body lacks sufficient elasticity after weight loss, can only be treated with body lift procedures, which are considered the most effective technique with long-lasting results.
When can I return to exercising again?
Your recovery time depends on the type of body lift procedure you have undergone and the extent of the treated sagging. Therefore, we cannot accurately determine a specific time for returning to exercise. However, in most cases, individuals can gradually resume their normal activities within six weeks after a body lift.
Are Body Lift Surgeries Safe?
If you are a good candidate for the procedure and if you follow Dr. Ahmed Mekkawy's instructions before the surgery and during the recovery period, the side effects will be minimal, such as swelling and bruising. It is a highly safe procedure.
Are the results of Body Lift Surgeries permanent?
Yes, the results of body lift surgeries are permanent, as they eliminate sagging, excess skin, and the thin layer of fat accumulated under the skin. If you gain some weight again, your body will never return to the flabby proportion it was before undergoing the surgery.
What will happen if I gain some weight after a Body Lift? And can I continue to lose weight after the surgery?
If you gain some weight again, the skin will need to stretch again and adapt to the change that has occurred to it, but if you gain a large percentage of weight, getting a body lift a second time will be very difficult. So be sure to set a specific diet to keep your weight stable at all times after a body lift. Also, if you lose a large percentage of your weight, the skin will be affected, and the scars may appear more noticeable in this case. Therefore, you must be careful to consult a doctor and ensure that you can maintain a stable weight after a body lift to maintain the results.
Different types of body lift surgeries help reshape and sculpt the body, eliminating any sagging or wrinkles. Have you ever considered undergoing any of them? For more information about body tightening procedures after weight loss, book an appointment with the best plastic surgeon, Dr. Ahmed Mekkawy, a plastic surgery and hair transplantation consultant.
This content has been reviewed by Dr. Ahmed Mekkawy, a consultant in cosmetic surgery, body contouring, and natural hair transplantation.
