What is A Body Lift?
A Body Lift in Houston performed by Dr. Mark Schusterman is a procedure that can remove excess skin, tone, and shape areas on the body. Common areas improved through body lifts include:
- Buttocks (by smoothing and shaping the area)
- The abdominal area (including the ‘love handles’ and lower back)
- Thighs (inner and outer areas, as well as addressing the width or thickness of the thighs)
Every human body is differently shaped. Dr. Schusterman understands that your needs will be unique, which is why he will craft your surgery plan around you: your desires, the areas you want to change, and your availability. Dr. Schusterman’s goal is always to deliver the best Body Lift Houston has to offer, while maintaining the best interest of his patients at heart.
Am I a Good Candidate for a Body Lift?
You should consider the following factors about getting a Houston body lift:
- Aging skin
- Significant weight loss
- Pregnancy that left excess skin
- Genetic factors that cause poor tissue elasticity
Excess fat can be removed via liposuction as long as the skin has proper elasticity, but if your skin sags and has not been able to bounce back to your previous body shape, then there’s a chance your skin may have lost its elasticity, and the best procedure is a body lift.
You are a good candidate for a body lift if you can agree to the following:
- Stop smoking before and after the procedure
- You are committed to maintaining your physical health and weight
- Have a positive outlook and realistic goals in mind for the improvement of your appearance
Houston Plastic Surgeon Dr. Schusterman will help you learn more about the body lift process to make sure there are no surprises. You will know exactly what the body lift can and can’t fix, and what changes will be made during your procedure.
Body Lift Procedure
Like a tummy tuck, a body lift can remove excess skin, and hanging skin and help alleviate skin rashes in the excess folds. Dr. Schusterman will outline the excess skin with a marker to determine the best areas to focus on. Next, you will be sedated during the surgery, which can take from 2-8 hours, depending on the extent of the procedure.
Liposuction is often used in combination with a body lift to remove excess fat, and then the abdominal muscles will be tightened to give your body some contour. Once the incisions are closed, compression garments are placed on the body lift areas to help with the healing process.
Recovery
The full post-surgical recovery time differs with each patient and the extent of the surgery.
Some patients may only require an overnight stay, but patients may be hospitalized for up to one week if the body lift surgery is extensive. You can return to work in 4-6 weeks, but it is recommended to give your body 6-8 weeks to heal before resuming various activities that put pressure on the areas affected by the procedure, such as exercise and sex.
Results
You will be able to see results immediately with the removal of your excess skin, but scars will remain visible. They will fade over time and can most often be hidden with clothing. Dr. Schusterman will have thorough discussions with you about scar placement and duration, so that you can determine what procedures will be right for you. It is important to go into the body lift procedure with a positive outlook and have realistic expectations of your surgery.
Schedule Your Houston Body Lift Consultation with Dr. Mark Schusterman
A body lift is designed to remove excess skin, tone, and shape areas on the body that have low elasticity. Consider the Body Lift if you suffer from significant weight change, poor tissue elasticity, aging, or pregnancy that has left excess skin.
Dr. Schusterman is available for a Houston Body Lift consultation to discuss your body lift questions and determine the right procedure. The Body Lift may be done in conjunction with other techniques, but it is best to discuss this along with your body goals with the doctor. Dr. Schusterman is a caring listener and takes your concerns seriously. When you have a consultation with him for a body lift, Houston patients will feel confident that your procedure will be done according to your wishes. Learn why Dr. Schusterman is widely regarded as one of Houston’s Best Doctors. Schedule a Houston body lift consultation with Dr. Schusterman today.
Body Lift FAQs
Your final cost for your procedure will depend on the number of areas you want to address and the procedures you want to include in your body lift. Dr. Mark Schusterman of Houston, Texas offers some of the best financing options available for you, so you can make sure that you get the right results the first time. Cash, checks, and most major credit cards, including Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover, are accepted.
The Body Lift is considered an elective surgery and is not covered under medical insurance. However, Texas Center for Breast & Body can work with you and your financial situation to offer reasonable payment options.
During the lower body lift procedure, attention is focused on the buttocks first. An incision is made across the upper buttocks, and tissue dissection is carried to the lower portion of the buttock. The buttocks are pulled up, and excess buttock skin and fat are removed. The incision is closed. Then, you are carefully flipped over on the operating room table. Attention is then focused on your abdomen. An incision is made across your lower abdomen, and tissue dissection is carried to the bottom of the ribcage and sternum. The rectus abdominis muscle is tightened and brought together (or plicated). The pubic region is lifted and reduced. The hips are lifted and reduced. Then, the abdomen is pulled down, and excess lower abdominal skin and fat are removed.
A lower body lift is a safe procedure when rules are followed. The limits of a lower body lift should be discussed with your chosen plastic surgeon. If you have other medical conditions, these conditions may prohibit you from having lower body lift. In the appropriate patient, a lower body lift is a relatively safe procedure in qualified and experienced hands compared to other forms of surgery. However, safety lies in optimal patient choice, your plastic surgeon’s experience, your plastic surgeon’s team, including anesthesiologists and nurses, strict adherence to eating or drinking a high protein diet to help with healing and following all post-operative instructions.
One benefit of a lower body lift is that you can permanently remove skin and fat from your lower abdomen, hips, and buttocks. Also, the lower body lift can be performed in one surgical setting instead of requiring three separate surgeries, specifically a tummy tuck, a hip lift, and a buttock lift or reduction. Another benefit of the lower body lift is that removing excess skin and fat may make exercising easier. Also, a lower body lift can help permanently eliminate stubborn rashes in the upper pubic and lower abdomen areas.
The lower body lift is that it may increase your self-esteem, which can, in turn, improve your relationships, including improved intimate relations. As with all surgeries, individual results will vary.
Good candidates for a lower body lift should be healthy, non-smokers, and without other medical problems. Ideally, you should be at your goal weight. However, you can have a lower body lift if you have specific medical issues or are not at your goal weight. If you are not at your goal but have lost weight, consult your chosen plastic surgeon. Ideal lower-body lift patients should have realistic expectations regarding what this surgery can achieve.
Yes, a lower-body lift does leave a scar. The lower body lift scar extends entirely around your body. Unfortunately, a lower-body lift cannot be performed without leaving a residual scar. However, most patients feel it is worthwhile to trade excess tummy, love handles, and buttock skin and fat for a scar.
A lower body lift is a permanent skin and fat removal solution. During the lower body lift, skin and fat are permanently removed and thrown away. However, there are several precautions. Fluid or edema may make you weigh more. Therefore, after a lower body lift, you must wear your compression garment to minimize fluid buildup and swelling.
Also, a lower body lift is an extensive procedure. There is potential to regain the weight. Therefore, once you have healed from your lower body lift and your plastic surgeon has cleared you, you should combine an appropriate diet with exercise to maintain permanent body lift results. As with most plastic surgery procedures, you must continue to watch what you eat and exercise daily to maintain your results.
Yes, the results of a lower-body lift are immediate. The results are evident on the operating room table right after surgery and before you awake from anesthesia.
However, a natural response to any surgery is swelling or edema. Even during surgery, your body starts to swell. After a lower-body lift, swelling may take six weeks or more to disappear. Therefore, even if the results are immediate, they may take six weeks to become apparent.
After a lower body lift, you should take two to three weeks off from a sitting job.
If you have a job that requires significant physical activity, you should take off three to four weeks after a lower body lift.
Yes, a lower-body lift can help with weight loss. A lower body lift can help to remove redundant skin and resistant fat pockets. A lower-body lift should not be considered a primary way to lose weight. Usually, a lower body lift is performed after weight loss, not before weight loss. A lower body lift should be considered a “shape surgery,” not a “weight surgery.” Also, a lower body lift can remove skin and fat and sometimes allow you to exercise better. Sometimes, a lower body lift can motivate you by showing off the results you worked so hard to achieve through diet, exercise, and, often, gastric surgery.
During your lower body lift consultation, your Houston plastic surgeon will examine you and determine if you are a good candidate for the surgery. Your plastic surgeon’s decision will be based on your past medical history, past surgical history, medications, and allergies.
The decision to proceed with surgery will be based on a thorough physical examination, including your weight-loss history.
During the consultation, your areas of concern will be examined. Your plastic surgeon will determine if these areas would be best treated with a lower body lift. You and your chosen plastic surgeon may discuss the risks and complications associated with a lower body lift. Often, pictures are taken, especially if insurance is being considered. Whenever submissions are made to medical insurance companies, medical pictures are required. The cost will be discussed if you are a good candidate for a lower body lift surgery. You can schedule a day for your lower body lift surgery if the cost is acceptable.
After a day has been scheduled, appropriate medical tests will be ordered.
Expect 6-8 weeks of recovery time. To optimize the healing process, a specific post-surgical recovery plan will be outlined for you to follow. Dr. Schusterman will provide this to you. Refrain from heavy lifting, strenuous physical activity, and operating heavy machinery until advised to do so by Dr. Schusterman in your recovery plan.
Invasive surgical procedures carry certain risks and complications, and they may include: swelling, scarring, numbness, bleeding at the incision site, persistent pain, blood clotting, fluid accumulation, infection, and nerve damage. These risks can be minimized by choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Schusterman for your surgery.
The ideal body mass index for lower body lift is less than 30. Your BMI should be less than 30 for many elective plastic surgery procedures. However, if your BMI exceeds 30, you and your plastic surgeon should discuss the increased risks of surgery. Even though your BMI may be above 30, this increased number may not prohibit you from undergoing a lower body lift.
However, you and your plastic surgeon must realize that if your BMI is above 30, you are at increased risk of complications.
Approximately two weeks before a lower body lift, you should eat a high-protein diet; I recommend you consume 100 g of protein daily. There are certain herbs, fruits, supplements, and vitamins that you should avoid before your 360-degree circumferential lower body lift surgery. Some medications need to be stopped at least one month before surgery.
Your chosen plastic surgeon should provide a list of medications, herbs, fruits, supplements, and vitamins to avoid before your surgery. If your plastic surgeon did not provide a list, here is a link to herbs, fruits, supplements, and vitamins to avoid before your body lifts.
- Patient’s Health and Lifestyle: The overall health and lifestyle of the patient play a significant role in the outcome of the surgery. Patients who maintain a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and avoid smoking or excessive alcohol consumption are generally better candidates for successful surgery and optimal results.
- Weight Stability: Patients need to achieve a stable weight before and after undergoing a lower body lift. Significant weight fluctuations before or after the surgery can impact the outcome. Maintaining a stable weight helps ensure that the surgery results are not compromised.
- Skin Elasticity: Skin elasticity varies among individuals and can affect how the skin responds to the surgical procedure. Patients with good skin elasticity are likelier to achieve smoother and more natural-looking results.
- Amount of Excess Skin and Fat: The extent of excess skin and fat that needs to be removed can vary from patient to patient. Patients with more excess tissue may require more extensive surgical techniques and experience more dramatic improvements.
- Surgical Technique: The plastic surgeon’s surgical technique can impact the outcome. Different approaches may be chosen based on the patient’s needs and goals.
- Plastic surgeon’s skill and experience: The skill and experience of the plastic surgeon performing the procedure are crucial factors in achieving a successful outcome. Choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon with expertise in body contouring procedures can significantly impact the quality of the results.
- Incision Placement and Closure: The placement of incisions and the surgical closure technique can affect the appearance of scars and the overall aesthetic outcome. Plastic surgeons aim to minimize visible scarring and create natural-looking contours.
- Post-Operative Care: Following the plastic surgeon’s post-operative care instructions is essential for a successful outcome. This includes proper wound care, wearing compression garments as directed, and attending follow-up appointments for monitoring and adjustments.
- Realistic Expectations: Patients with realistic expectations about the surgery results are more likely to be satisfied with the outcome. Understanding that a 360-degree circumferential lower body lift can provide significant improvements but may not achieve perfection is essential.
- Complications and Compromise: Occasionally, complications such as wound healing issues, infections, or asymmetry may arise. How these complications are managed and addressed can affect the outcome.
In most cases, health insurance does not typically cover the cost of a lower body lift because it is considered a cosmetic or elective procedure. Cosmetic surgeries are generally performed to improve a person’s appearance rather than to address medical conditions or health concerns, which is the primary criterion for insurance coverage.
However, there may be some exceptions or situations where insurance coverage or partial coverage could be considered:
- Medical Necessity: In rare cases, insurance companies may consider coverage if the excess skin and tissue in the lower body pose a significant medical concern or health risk. For example, suppose you have recurrent skin infections, chronic rashes, or mobility issues due to excess skin. In that case, you can make a case for medical necessity. Your surgeon and insurance provider would need to document and support this claim.
- Combining Procedures: If you are undergoing a lower body lift in conjunction with another medically necessary procedure, such as a hernia repair or abdominal surgery, there may be some overlap in costs that insurance could cover. However, the cosmetic portion of the surgery would typically not be covered.
- Prior Authorization: In some cases, you may need to seek prior authorization from your insurance provider, and your plastic surgeon may need to provide documentation supporting the procedure’s medical necessity. Even with prior authorization, there is no guarantee that insurance will cover the entire cost.
It’s important to note that insurance policies and coverage vary widely, and what is covered or reimbursed by one provider may not be the same for another. Before pursuing a lower body lift or any cosmetic surgery, it’s advisable to contact your insurance company, review your policy, and discuss the procedure with your plastic surgeon to determine the potential for coverage and to understand your financial responsibilities.
Usually, plastic surgeons allow their patients to shower once their drains are removed and the incision is healed.
Typically, drains remain in place for two to three weeks. Therefore, most patients can shower two to three weeks after their body lift.
However, most plastic surgeons allow their patients to sponge-bath well before removing drains. Most patients can sponge bathe five to seven days after the body lift. Water can go around the incision but not on the incision.
Yes. Because excess skin and fat are removed during a lower body lift, you will lose weight after a lower body lift. However, it is crucial to understand that the primary goal of a lower-body lift is not weight loss. The primary focus is on reshaping the body rather than achieving significant weight loss. The weight loss can vary but is generally a fraction of the total tissue removed.
After undergoing a lower body lift in Houston, TX, you may experience significant changes in your body shape and size, which can necessitate adjustments to your clothing sizes. Here are some tips to help you manage your wardrobe post-surgery:
- Gradual Wardrobe Updates: Understand that your body may take time to settle into its new shape after surgery. Avoid making drastic wardrobe changes immediately. Instead, gradually transition by purchasing key pieces that fit your body shape.
- Consult with a Tailor: A skilled tailor can be your best friend during this transition period. They can help alter your clothing to fit your new body shape better. This approach can be a cost-effective way to make your wardrobe work for you.
- Invest in Basics: Start by updating your wardrobe with essential items like underwear, bras, and basic tops and bottoms that fit comfortably. These items can make a big difference in your day-to-day comfort and confidence.
- Stretchy Fabrics: Consider clothing made from stretchy fabrics like spandex or elastane, as they can quickly accommodate changes in your body shape. Leggings, yoga pants, and stretchy jeans can be good choices.
- Layering: Layering can help you adjust your clothing to your comfort level. Cardigans, jackets, and wraps can conceal or highlight specific areas of your body.
- Elastic Waistbands: Look for pants, skirts, and shorts with elastic waistbands. They provide flexibility in terms of sizing and can be more comfortable as your body continues to heal and change.
- Avoid Tight Clothing: While it’s natural to want to show off your new figure, avoid wearing tight clothing immediately after surgery. It can put unnecessary pressure on the healing incisions and may be uncomfortable.
- Be patient: Remember that it takes time for your body to heal and stabilize fully after surgery. Your clothing needs may continue to change over the months following the procedure. Be patient with yourself and adapt your wardrobe as needed.
After a lower body lift, it’s essential to adopt sleeping positions that promote comfort, minimize strain on the surgical areas, and support proper healing. Here are some tips on the best sleeping positions to consider:
- Back Sleeping: Sleeping on your back is the preferred position during the initial stages of recovery. It helps minimize pressure on the surgical incisions and reduces the risk of damaging or distorting the results. Use pillows to support your head and upper body, and place a pillow under your knees to maintain a slight bend in your hips and knees. This position can help reduce tension on the incisions and provide comfort. Usually, the best position can be found in a recliner.
- Avoid Side Sleeping: Sleeping on your sides, especially with surgical incisions on the abdomen or buttocks, can put undue pressure on these areas and may compromise the healing process. It’s typically best to avoid side sleeping during the early recovery period.
- Pillow Placement: Use pillows strategically to support your body and maintain a comfortable position. Pillow placement can vary depending on your specific surgical areas. For example, you can place a pillow under your knees when sleeping on your back to relieve pressure on the lower back and buttocks.
- Elevate your head: Elevating the head of your bed or using extra pillows under your upper body can help reduce swelling and promote better circulation. Elevation can be particularly beneficial if you have undergone abdominal surgery as part of the lower body lift.
- Avoid Lying Flat, Sitting Upright, and Bending or Twisting: When getting in and out of bed, avoid bending or twisting at the waist, as this can strain the surgical incisions. Use your arms to support yourself and engage your core muscles to minimize stress on the surgical areas.
Travel after a lower-body lift should be approached with caution and careful planning. Prioritizing healing and recovery during the early post-operative period is essential to ensuring the best possible outcomes. Here are some considerations for traveling after a lower-body lift:
Immediate Post-Operative Period (First Few Weeks): Traveling immediately after a lower body lift is generally not advisable. During the first few weeks after surgery, you should focus on rest, wound care, and following your surgeon’s post-operative instructions. Traveling during this time can increase the risk of complications, hinder the healing process, and be uncomfortable due to swelling and limited mobility.
Consult with Your Houston Plastic Surgeon: Consult your plastic surgeon before making travel plans. They can assess your progress, guide you when it may be safe to travel and ensure you are healing adequately. Your plastic surgeon’s recommendations should be the primary factor in determining when it is appropriate to travel.
