How Is A Body Lift Performed?
A body lift with Dr. Morales is performed under general anesthesia, either in a hospital or an outpatient facility. During the procedure, an incision is made around the lower trunk to remove excess skin from areas like the abdomen, hips, and flanks. The incision is positioned low on the abdomen and along the hip line to keep scars discreet within the panty line. A new opening will be cut for the navel to be reinserted, and the incisions are stitched closed.
What Is The Recovery Like?
Following a body lift, your trunk will be supported with a binder, and dressings will cover the incisions. Drains may be placed to collect excess fluid and will be removed within 4 to 7 days. To aid recovery and prevent complications like blood clots, patients are encouraged to walk several times a day. Most patients can return to work within 2 to 4 weeks, but heavy lifting and strenuous activity should be avoided for around 2 months. It may take a few months for swelling to fully subside, and the scars will gradually fade over time.
Can It Be Combined with Other Surgeries?
Yes, a body lift is often combined with other procedures like an arm lift or breast lift to achieve more comprehensive body contouring results. However, there is a limit to how many procedures can be done at once for safety reasons, and your surgeon will determine the best approach based on your goals and recovery needs.
Is It Covered By Insurance?
In most cases, a body lift is considered cosmetic and not covered by insurance. However, if a patient has a panniculectomy, which removes excessive hanging skin that causes medical issues like infections or impairs normal activity, insurance may cover part of the procedure. The pannus, or excess skin, may extend around the lower trunk in body lift candidates, and documentation of symptoms is typically required for coverage.
When Can I Return To Work?
Recovery time varies for each patient based on the extent of the surgery. Generally, most people can return to work 2 to 3 weeks after a standard body lift, though this may differ if additional procedures were performed.
When Can I Resume Exercise?
Patients are typically cleared to resume light exercise about 2 months after surgery, once the body has had time to heal. Post-operative swelling may last for several months, and abdominal muscle tightening requires adequate recovery time to avoid pain or complications. It’s important to ease back into exercise under your surgeon’s guidance.
