A body lift is a cosmetic surgery procedure designed to reshape the entire body after significant weight loss or multiple pregnancies. This surgery involves removing excess skin and fat from the abdomen, flanks, and buttocks to restore a flat stomach, shapely buttocks, and a slim waist.
What is a body lift?
A body lift, also known as a circular abdominoplasty or total abdominal lift, is a procedure that addresses the entire torso. It has several effects:
- Tighten the skin on the abdomen, sides, and back.
- Tone away excess fat, love handles, and saddlebags.
- Lift and shape the buttocks.
- Bring the rectus abdominis muscles closer together (diastasis correction) for a flatter stomach.
A body lift not only improves one's physical appearance, but also enhances quality of life and self-confidence.
Who is the Bodylift procedure intended for?
A body lift is primarily intended for people who have excess skin and circumferential fat around the trunk. This excess skin and fat is often the result of significant weight loss or multiple pregnancies.
The main indications include:
- Significant weight loss: after bariatric surgery (sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass) or drastic diets, when the skin remains loose and sagging on the abdomen, flanks, and buttocks.
- Post-pregnancy skin laxity: sagging belly, stretched abdominal muscles, and loss of firmness in the buttocks.
- Skin aging or aftereffects of liposuction: loose skin, loss of firmness, and sagging of the buttocks.
A body lift helps to reshape the figure, tighten the skin, slim the waist, and reshape the contours of the buttocks.
What are our different body lift techniques?
Lower Body Lift
A lower body lift focuses on the abdominal area and the buttocks. This procedure is ideal for patients with significant excess skin following weight loss or multiple pregnancies.
Objectives:
- Tighten the skin on the abdomen and flanks.
- Get rid of love handles and bulges.
- Buttock lift and reshaping (often combined with liposuction).
Benefits:
- A flat stomach and restored buttock contours.
- A slimmer waist and a more balanced figure.
Upper Body Lift
An upper body lift addresses excess skin on the back and upper flanks. It is particularly suitable for patients with sagging skin on the upper body following significant weight loss or skin laxity due to aging.
Objectives:
- Tighten the skin on the back and sides.
- Smooth out wrinkles and enhance the waistline.
- Enhance the results of a lower body lift for a 360° silhouette.
Benefits:
- A smooth, well-proportioned back.
- A redesigned silhouette from the waist to the top of the buttocks.
Comparison of Lower vs. Upper Bodylift
| Feature | Lower Body Lift | Upper Body Lift |
| Areas Treated | Stomach, sides, buttocks | Back, upper sides |
| Main Objective | Tighten the abdomen, reshape the buttocks | Tighten the back and upper sides |
| Related Techniques | Liposuction, Diastasis Correction | Liposuction, if necessary |
| Operating Position | Back and front | Primarily ventral |
| Duration of surgery | 3 to 6 hours | 3 to 4 hours |
| Scars | Abdominal and Periumbilical Belt | Back strap and side connector |
What are the steps to take before your body lift?
1. Consultation with the surgeon
- Examination of the abdomen, buttocks, and thighs.
- Assessment of skin and muscle laxity.
- Overview of the techniques and expected results.
- Provision of a detailed estimate.
2. Pre-anesthesia consultation
A comprehensive medical evaluation and blood tests to determine your suitability for general anesthesia.
3. Preoperative Preparation
- Stop smoking (2 months before and 2 months after).
- Weight has remained stable for at least 6 months.
- Antiseptic showers in the days leading up to the surgery.
What is the procedure for your body lift?
The procedure lasts 3 to 6 hours, depending on the associated procedures (diastasis repair, liposuction, buttock contouring) and the type of body lift. The procedure is performed in several stages, depending on whether you are having a lower, upper, or combined body lift:
1. Pre--operative
- Performed while standing to plan the exact location of the scars.
- These allow scars to be positioned in areas covered by underwear or in the skin's natural folds.
2. Firstphase: prone position
- Removal of excess skin from the back and buttocks.
- Reshaping of the buttocks, if necessary, using excess fat.
3. Secondphase: supine position
- Removal of excess abdominal and flank skin.
- Liposuction and diastasis correction, if necessary, for a flat stomach.
- Repositioning or preserving the navel.
4. Closure and drains
- Placement of drains to prevent the formation of hematomas and seromas.
- Wounds were sutured using absorbable sutures, leaving circular scars around the abdomen and back that were carefully concealed.
5. Immediate postoperativeperiod
- Wear the compression garment 24 hours a day for 4 to 6 weeks.
- Monitoring of drains and dressing changes at home.
What are the aftereffects of a body lift?
- Drains: removed after 5 to 7 days.
- Bandaging: to be done at home for 2 to 3 weeks.
- Wear a compression garment day and night for 8 weeks to support healing and help maintain your figure.
- Time off work: typically 15 to 28 days, depending on the type of body lift and the patientâs occupation.
- Resuming sports: 4 to 8 weeks, after receiving the surgeon's approval.
- Pain and swelling: moderate, treated with pain relievers.
- Final results: visible after 6 to 12 months.
Hospitalization and Recovery
The hospital stay for a body lift generally ranges from 2 to 5 days, depending on the extent of the procedures performed and whether drains are placed.
It is recommended that you walk as early as possible to prevent thromboembolic complications. Home care includes changing dressings, cleaning scars, and monitoring drains, if necessary.
Contraindications and Precautions
Certain conditions must be met in order to consider a body lift:
- Stable weight: The patient must have reached and maintained their ideal weight for at least 6 months to ensure long-lasting results.
- Quitting smoking: at least one month before and two to three weeks after the procedure to reduce the risk of complications related to wound healing.
- Discontinuation of certain medications âsuch as aspirin, anticoagulants, or vitamin Eâwith a doctor's approval, to minimize the risk of bleeding.
- Comprehensive medical evaluation: blood tests, pre-anesthesia consultation, and review of medical history to rule out any anesthetic or surgical risks.
- Oral contraceptives: It is often recommended to stop taking oral contraceptives one month in advance to reduce the risk of thromboembolism.
Certain severe conditions, such as significant, uncontrolled excess weight, uncontrolled chronic diseases, or active skin infections, may constitute contraindications for the procedure.
Possible Risks and Complications
Like any surgery, a body lift involves risks that it is important to be aware of:
Risks Associated withGeneral Anesthesia:
Allergic reactions, cardiovascular or respiratory complications (rare).
General surgical risks:
- Postoperative hematoma or bleeding.
- Surgical site infection.
- Seroma: a buildup of fluid that requires drainage.
- Delayed or impaired healing, particularly in smokers, people with diabetes, or overweight patients.
- Deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, prevented by prophylactic anticoagulation.
Risks Specific to a Body Lift:
- Partial or temporary loss of sensation in certain areas of the skin.
- Widening or poor-quality scars.
- Partial recurrence of skin ptosis in cases of thin skin or skin damaged by repeated weight fluctuations.
Postoperative follow-up and adherence to medical instructions can significantly reduce these risks.
Before-and-After Photos of Our Patients in Paris
Our Rates in Paris
- Full body lift: starting at âŹ15,000 (surgeon's and anesthesiologist's fees included).
- Additional procedures: liposuction, diastasis repair, or buttock contouringâprices available upon request.
- Coverage by health insurance: possible if the abdominal binder covers the pubic area and is used following significant weight loss or pregnancy.
Insurance and Coverage
In some cases, a body lift may be partially covered by health insurance under certain conditions. The patient must have an abdominal apron that partially covers the pubic area and/or a functional impairment resulting from significant weight loss or pregnancy.
To be reimbursed for a body lift, you must submit a request for prior authorization to your health insurance provider. The medical advisor decides whether to approve the request.
If coverage is approved, clinic fees are covered, and surgical and anesthesia fees are partially reimbursed.
If the treatment is not covered, no reimbursement will be made by health insurance or a supplemental health plan.
