Full Body Lift
A full body lift is a comprehensive procedure that removes excess skin and fat, tightens underlying tissues, and reshapes the body for smoother, more proportionate contours.
Full Body Lift
Overview
A full body lift is a comprehensive procedure that helps you achieve the smoother, firmer contours you’ve been working toward. Whether it’s the result of weight loss from diet or exercise, bariatric surgery, or medication; or simply a byproduct of aging or genetics, loose skin and stubborn fat can sometimes get in the way of feeling confident in your body.
This procedure addresses multiple areas of the body, including the abdomen, thighs, buttocks, hips, and even upper body areas like the arms or chest. By removing excess skin, tightening underlying tissues, and refining your natural contours, a full body lift creates a balanced, proportionate silhouette. It’s an ideal choice for those looking to celebrate their hard-earned progress and embrace a renewed sense of confidence and comfort in their own skin.
What Types of Full Body Lifts Do We Offer?
Full body lifts can include several customized techniques:
Lower Body Lift: This procedure — also known as a circumferential body lift or belt lipectomy — focuses on the abdomen, hips, buttocks, and outer thighs, using incisions around the waist or lower abdomen to remove excess skin and tighten underlying tissues.
Upper Body Lift: Targeting the chest, arms, and back, this lift removes sagging skin and restores contour in the upper body, often incorporating an arm lift or back lift.
Total Body Lift: Combining both lower and upper body lifts, this approach addresses multiple areas in a staged or single procedure, providing a complete transformation.
Each option is designed to meet your unique needs, delivering proportional and balanced results.
About the Procedure
Why are Full Body Lifts Done?
A full body lift is ideal for patients seeking to:
- Remove excess skin and fat after major weight loss resulting from diet and exercise, bariatric surgery, or weight loss medications.
- Address skin laxity caused by aging or genetics.
- Enhance comfort and mobility by reducing skin folds.
- Achieve a more sculpted and proportionate body contour.
By addressing these concerns, a full body lift helps patients regain confidence and feel more comfortable in their own skin.
How Long Do Full Body Lift Results Last?
The results of a full body lift are long-lasting, especially with a stable weight and healthy lifestyle. While natural aging can affect skin elasticity, maintaining your weight helps preserve your improved contours for many years.
Who is a Good Candidate for a Full Body Lift?
Good candidates for a full body lift are in good overall health and near their target weight. Ideal candidates:
- Experience significant skin laxity following weight loss or aging.
- Are nonsmokers or can quit before surgery.
- Maintain a stable weight and healthy lifestyle.
- Have realistic expectations and a commitment to post-surgical care.
It’s important to have realistic expectations and be motivated by personal goals. Your decision to pursue surgery should always be about achieving your own objectives, not how you look to others.
How to Prepare for a Full Body Lift
Patients should stop smoking at least four weeks before surgery, as smoking can impair healing. Your surgeon may also advise you to avoid certain medications, such as blood thinners, that increase bleeding risk. It’s important to arrange for transportation and post-surgery care, as you’ll need assistance during the initial recovery period. Prior to surgery, your surgeon will provide specific instructions on fasting and any pre-operative tests. Following these guidelines closely will help ensure a successful procedure and optimal results.
What Happens During the Surgery?
A full body lift is performed under general anesthesia and may take four to eight hours, depending on the areas addressed. For a lower body lift, we make incisions around the abdomen and waist, lifting and tightening the skin of the hips, thighs, and buttocks. For an upper body lift, we place incisions along the chest or back to remove sagging skin and contour the area. During each procedure, we remove excess skin and fat, tighten underlying tissues, and close incisions with sutures. Finally, we apply compression garments to reduce swelling and support healing.
Risks
As with any surgery, risks include infection, bleeding, scarring, and anesthesia complications. Full body lifts may also carry risks of prolonged swelling, fluid buildup (seroma), or asymmetry. Following your surgeon’s instructions can minimize these risks and support a smooth recovery.
Benefits
A full body lift offers transformative physical and emotional benefits, helping patients achieve a firmer, smoother appearance by removing excess skin and fat. By enhancing body proportions, it creates a balanced and sculpted silhouette that aligns with your aesthetic goals. Beyond the visual improvements, the procedure can reduce discomfort and improve mobility by eliminating skin folds, making everyday activities more comfortable. Perhaps most importantly, abody lift boosts confidence and body image, empowering patients to embrace a renewed sense of self and fully enjoy the results of their transformation.
Recovery
Recovery from a full body lift typically takes several weeks. Light activities can be resumed within 2 weeks, but strenuous exercise and heavy lifting should be avoided for 4 to 6 weeks. Swelling and bruising are common initially but subside over time. In some cases, we may place a drain or multiple drains during the procedure to help remove tissue fluid and promote proper healing. Placed at your surgeon’s discretion, the drains may remain in place for one to two weeks or longer, depending on the amount of fluid output and are typically removed during a follow-up appointment when drainage decreases to an appropriate level. Compression garments will also help reduce swelling and support healing.
Follow-up appointments will monitor your progress, and final results become visible over several months as swelling diminishes and the body adjusts to its new contours.
FAQ
How painful is a full body lift?
Moderate discomfort is expected, but prescribed medications can manage pain. Most patients feel significantly better after the first two weeks.
Will there be visible scars?
Yes, but incisions are placed strategically to minimize visibility, and scars fade with proper care over time.
How soon can I return to work?
Most patients return to work within two to four weeks, depending on the physical demands of their job.
How long do the results last?
Results are long-lasting with a stable weight and healthy lifestyle, although natural aging may slightly affect skin elasticity.
Can I combine a full body lift with other procedures?
Yes, full body lifts are often combined with liposuction, breast lifts, or arm lifts for a more comprehensive transformation.
What should I avoid after surgery?
Avoid smoking, strenuous activities, and heavy lifting during recovery to ensure optimal healing and results.
Complementary Procedures
We will always perform liposuction as part of your body lift to refine contours. Other common complementary procedures include thigh lifts to tighten the legs or breast lifts to enhance upper body proportions. If appropriate, we will typically combine these procedures in stages, ultimately achieving balanced, comprehensive results that meet your goals.
For more detailed information please contact our office or book a consultation.
About Dr. Dorafshar
Dr. Amir Dorafshar is a board-certified plastic, aesthetic, and reconstructive surgeon, renowned worldwide for his pioneering work in aesthetic surgery, craniofacial and microsurgical reconstruction, facial gender-affirming surgeries, and computer-assisted surgical techniques.
With over three decades of professional experience, Dr. Dorafshar’s commitment to medical innovation and his passion for advancing surgical practices have established him as a leading expert, respected author, and authoritative figure in the field.
From Our Patients
At Evolve Your Life, we’re committed to delivering a world-class experience through attentive, responsive, and compassionate care. How are we doing?
See what some of our patients have to say:
Kiersten Obermayer
Dr. Dorafshar is absolutely amazing. He truly cares about the results as well as the patient. He checked up on me multiple times through my recovery and my results are amazing already after 10 days! Can’t wait to see them when I’m fully healed!
Khyla Tatak
Talk about a great experience overall. Dr. Dorafshar made me feel at ease, answered all of my questions and set realistic expectations on recovery. Constantly checked in to make sure I was doing ok during the first week post surgery. His team set the bar high. I’m so incredibly happy with my results.
“Anyone seeking out a great surgeon who will work with your needs and help you feel like the best version of yourself, I highly recommend Dr. Amir Dorafshar.”
—Iliana Diana
See yourself. Be yourself.
At Evolve Your Life, we know how important it is to look in the mirror every day and see a reflection that feels like your own.
