A body lift is a combination surgical procedure that removes excess skin, tightens the remaining tissue, and restores the contour of multiple areas of the body. After a patient experiences massive weight loss, they are left with stretched skin and excess tissue that cannot be treated with lifestyle modifications alone. The skin is the body’s largest organ, and if you have a significant amount of loose or sagging skin, it can cause severe discomfort that often compromises your whole weight loss accomplishment. A body lift offers comprehensive skin and tissue correction to allow you to finally appreciate your new body contour. (1)
Dr. Michael J. Yoo specializes in body contouring procedures. Thanks to his years of experience, he can achieve a patient’s ideal results with a customized body lift procedure. With two convenient locations in Newport Beach and Beverly Hills, we serve patients in LA County, Orange County, and beyond.
Please contact us online for a detailed and comprehensive body lift consultation. You may also call either of our locations at:
(424) 209-9925: Beverly Hills
(949) 861-3340: Newport Beach
Contents
All About Body Lifts
Dealing With Excess Skin
Weight loss, whether achieved through diet and exercise, medications like semaglutide, or bariatric surgery, is a great first step towards healthier living. With this transformation, however, comes a generalized ‘deflation’ of the body, creating an excess of skin that hangs and sags. A body lift can help with this excess skin in a way that no amount of exercise and dieting can. Procedurally, they consist of removing, lifting, and tightening the skin. This procedure essentially tailors and excises the excess skin that remains behind following weight loss. The goal is to create a more pleasing contour and shape that can improve one’s appearance and self-confidence.
Types of Body Lift Procedures
The most commonly performed body lift procedure is the lower body lift which treats the abdomen, lower back, buttocks, and thighs. However, an upper body lift is also an option to treat the arms, upper back, and breasts.
Lower Body Lift
The lower body lift is the most common body lift that Dr. Yoo performs. This type of lower lift caters to most of the problem areas that weight loss patients deal with. We perform the lower body lift by removing any excessive skin from the front and sides of the abdominal area, lower back, buttocks, and inner/outer thighs. This procedure can help improve the shape of the mid and lower body, as well as lift the buttocks. (2) It typically involves a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), buttocks lift, thigh lift, and a back lift.
Arm Lift
Excess skin around the upper arms may become problematic. Sagging skin from the arms will tend to hang outside of sleeves and may cause insecurity or discomfort. An arm lift not only removes excess fat from the patient’s upper arms but also helps to tone the arms. Patients should still be ready to maintain a steady workout regimen to improve their arm appearance.
We begin this procedure by executing an incision from the armpit to the elbow and removing any excess skin. The remaining skin will be tightened to create a new arm contour. The incision is hidden on the inside of the arm, and any scarring that remains will continue to diminish over time.
Breast or Chest Lift
For women, this method of procedure may be the most in demand. One of the results of weight loss for women is saggy breasts, now frequently referred to as “Ozempic breast”. Breasts can’t regain their youthful appearance even with the strictest exercise regimen and diet. A breast lift begins with three different incisions that depend on the severity of the sagging. The three incisions that Dr. Yoo utilizes are crescent, vertical, and anchor incisions. This procedure raises the female breasts into a position that makes them more perky and youthful-looking.
Despite popular belief, the breast/chest lift is equally effective for men who experience sagging chest skin as a result of weight loss. For men, the incision will be made to the chest to remove unwanted, lax skin and create a more masculine and firm physique.
Back Lift
The back is one of the hardest areas to reduce fat deposits through diet and exercise alone. The back lift consists of an incision along the “bra line.” Dr. Yoo removes excess skin and tissue to create a more slim, toned back contour. In some cases, he uses liposuction to remove any fat that resides in this region.
Body Lifts vs. Liposuction
Do not be confused about the similarities between body lifts and liposuction, as body lifts are not meant to remove excess fat, only excess skin. Both liposuction and body lifts may be performed if the patient has excess fat deposits that do not cooperate with diet and exercise. This does not mean that everyone’s situation warrants a body lift. Dr. Yoo sometimes performs alternative methods such as a thigh lift or abdominoplasty when the patient does not have considerable amounts of lax skin on the body. The initial consultation will help our clients further explore their options and help Dr. Yoo properly recommend the most effective procedures to meet their needs.
How Can I Benefit From A Body Lift?
Body lifts offer the most effective transformation of the mid and lower body. Recently, many patients have achieved incredible results with the help of medical weight-loss programs and certain medications. “Ozempic Body” is a term that describes a patient’s physical appearance after reaching their goal weight using semaglutide or tirzepatide. They can lose volume in the face (“Ozempic face”) and buttocks (Ozempic butt”) as well as the abdomen, arms, and legs.
A customized body lift from Dr. Yoo can provide patients with both physical and mental relief by removing extra skin and improving overall body contouring. Our experience in body lift procedures has allowed us to give patients consistently healthy recoveries and beautiful, contoured results. Dr. Yoo takes every patient’s body type and unique physical needs into account, treating every case with skill and care.
Ideal Body Lift Candidates
An ideal candidate for a body lift should be empowered and inspired to partake in a healthy lifestyle change after their procedure to ensure the longevity of their results. Patients who have excess skin throughout the upper or lower body as a result of weight loss may be ideal for this procedure. Generally, patients should be within 50 lbs of their weight loss goal. There are also cases where patients have lost 100 lbs or more but still need to reach their weight loss goal. These patients may require a body lift before losing any more weight.
Dr. Yoo encourages patients to be in good health and to have optimistic but realistic expectations for the result of their procedure. We will determine if a body lift is the right procedure for you during your consultation.
Personal Consultation with Dr. Yoo
A private consultation involves:
- A physical examination
- An outline of the patient’s medical history
- An honest testimony from the patient which discusses their concerns
- A detailed and informative discussion of the procedure
- Taking photographs of the patient for reference
Furthermore, our office will also discuss pricing options after we examine the patient’s unique body type and concerns.
Preparation Steps
Dr. Yoo provides preparation instructions for the procedure after scheduling a body lift surgery. Patients should get lots of rest in the days before surgery and arrange for a ride home after the procedure, as they will be unable to drive themselves. We ask that patients avoid taking anti-inflammatory medications for two weeks and quit smoking at least three weeks before surgery.
How Long Does a Body Lift Take?
Dr. Yoo can perform a body lift in 8 hours, depending on the patient’s treatment plan.
Recovery & Results
To minimize swelling, bruising, bleeding, and discomfort, we will provide medication, recovery instructions, and aftercare information. We encourage our patients to engage in minimal activity such as short walks; this can ease the body and mind and encourage a speedy recovery. Our follow-up appointments are a crucial part of the healing process that allow Dr. Yoo the opportunity to monitor your healing. We are here to help and ensure that the patient is left satisfied, happy, and healthy.
The final results of a body lift procedure are typically drastic and long-lasting. The abdomen is smoother and a patient’s core strength returns. The thighs are more proportionate and their hip-to-waist ratio is improved. After an upper body lift, a patient’s arms are slimmer and more toned to accentuate their new shape. The chest is tighter and appropriately contoured to further improve the upper body silhouette.
How Much Does A Body Lift Cost in Newport Beach?
The cost of a body lift is based on the extent of treatment needed and if additional procedures will be combined with the body lift, such as liposuction, to accentuate results. Please contact the office of Dr. Michael J. Yoo today and schedule a private consultation. Call us at:
(424) 209-9925: Beverly Hills
(949) 861-3340: Newport Beach
FAQ
Will there be visible scarring after a body lift?
Surgeons place incisions strategically to minimize visible scarring as much as possible. They utilize advanced surgical techniques to ensure that scars fade and blend with natural creases over time. Following postoperative instructions regarding scar care will also optimize healing and reduce potential scarring.
Will liposuction reduce my sagging skin?
Liposuction does not generally affect excess skin. Ideal candidates for liposuction are those who are at or near their ideal body weight, have small to moderate deposits of unwanted fat, and have excellent skin quality (i.e. elasticity). Individuals with hanging or sagging skin will be best treated with a ‘lift’ procedure in the area of concern.
Can an upper and lower body lift be performed at the same time?
To achieve a full-body lift after weight loss, a surgeon can perform a 360-degree procedure that addresses both the upper and lower body contours. Your provider will decide if combining more procedures is right for you and your cosmetic goals.
Will a body lift procedure help me lose weight?
Not necessarily. A body lift is not considered a weight loss surgery and will not directly help with losing weight, but removing excess skin and tissue may lead to a slight shift in your overall weight.
References
- Spector JA. Surgical solutions to the problem of massive weight loss. World Journal of Gastroenterology. 2006;12(41):6602. doi:https://doi.org/10.3748/wjg.v12.i41.6602
- Mahgoub MA, Zeina AM, Bahaa El-Din AM, El-Sabbagh AH, Bassetto F, Vindigni V. Gluteal Region Reshaping of Massive Weight Loss Patients—A Decision-Making Strategy. Archives of Plastic Surgery. 2022;49(3):289-295. doi:https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0042-1748640