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BODY LIFT
Lower Body Lift / Belt Lipecotomy
Who is a candidate?
Lower body lift or a belt Lipecotomy can offer a dramatic change in appearance for MWL (massive weight loss) patients, or those who are victims of time, gravity or genetic predispositions. This procedure is tailored toward those who not only have excess skin in the abdominal area, but sagging tissue extending 360 degrees around their torso. Body lift surgery helps elevate the entire lower body by tightening the abdominal wall, removing excess skin on the tummy, thighs and buttocks followed with liposuction for additional contouring. Most patients will come into the office and lift their skin to demonstrate the look they are seeking. This mimics the potential “resuspension” of tissues that can be accomplished with this surgery.
Smokers are not good candidates for this procedure because of the detrimental effects on wound healing. Patients, who do smoke, will have to stop completely for one month prior to and after the procedure in order to optimize their healing process. Patients with bleeding disorders, heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure have higher risk factors that will be discussed during the consultation. This is not an operation to counter obesity. Those over 50% of their ideal body weight are not good candidates. Patients who have experienced massive weight loss may be asked to wait 6 to 12 months for their tissues to completely stabilize prior to scheduling this surgery.
How is it done?
The lower body lift is done under general anesthesia. Think of it as a facelift for your trunk region. The procedure can take 6-12 hours depending on the size of the patient. Immediately before surgery, Dr. Potparic will mark the skin in order to have a map or blueprint for the incisions. The amount of tissue to be removed is actually determined in the operating room. The patient is placed in several different positions during the procedure to remove as much tissue as possible.
A belt lipectomy incision is placed a bit higher on the trunk and extends circumferentially (all the way around) at or just above the level of the pelvic bone. This allows the surgeon to enhance the waistline more effectively. A lower body lift, on the other hand, has an incision which is lower on the trunk extending circumferentially. This would be easily hidden by a bikini. This type of lift has a greater effect on the outer thigh and buttock contours.
The closure of the incisions is identical, using permanent stitches to reconstruct the deepest layer with upper two layers closed with dissolving stitches.
Recuperation
Both the lower body lift and belt Lipecotomy require at least one night stay in the hospital. It is not unusual for patients to stay two nights. You will have four to five drains placed during surgery. Two are placed in the front and the others are placed in the back. These stay in place for 5-14 days and are removed based upon the amount of drainage recorded. With the exception of those at the belly button, all of the stitches dissolve. The incisions are covered with surgical glue (Dermabond). We will usually ask you to wear a compression garment after all of the drains are removed. Most patients report tightness in their abdominal region and have difficulty standing upright for several days. Some numbness around the trunk region is common, but usually temporary. In general, it takes 10-14 days to comfortably perform daily activities. Driving is discouraged for 2 weeks. It may take up to a month to return to preoperative energy levels. Swelling may take 4-6 weeks to begin to resolve. A reasonable assessment of the results can be determined at about 6 months. The scar will take at least one year to mature and fade to a lighter color.Other Options
Buttock lift, AbdominoplastyA word about financing…
Lower body lift can be made very affordable through our partners at Care Credit or MedChoice Financial. Visit them at www.drzoran.com/financing Our patient coordinator will be happy to answer any of your questions or assist you with the necessary paperwork.
Insurance Notes
Lower body lift is considered a cosmetic procedure and is not covered by insurance.
Ask Dr. Potparic
I just have some fatty deposits along the outer thighs. Wouldn’t liposuction be effective in treating this area?
For women, this is a common location of fat collection. It is common for MWL patients as well. Treating this area with liposuction alone, however, may only temporarily improve the appearance and contour. For women over 35 years of age, the skin begins to sag and produces a “pseudo” fat deposit. A lateral thigh lift would be effective. When MWL patients are having a lower body lift, the outer thigh often needs to be treated with liposuction in order to optimize contour. With the accompanying lift, there is little chance the tissue will fall—the results are more permanent.
What kind of scars can I expect?
The scars extend circumferentially (in a complete circle) around the body. The scars may become slightly widened. Though rare, scars may become raised and thickened.
What complications are associated with the lower body lift?
Complications are a risk of all surgical procedures. It is important to carefully choose a surgeon experienced in this particular procedure. My patients have had few complications, however it is essential that all candidates understand the risks. Wound healing complications would be the most common. Patients having a body lift after massive weight loss understand their skin has been compromised. Reconstructing these tissues presents a surgical challenge and must be handled with care. When wounds result from separation of the incision, local wound care is required and can be revised at a later time if desired. Seromas are fluid collections under the skin. Although the drains are designed to prevent these from occurring, there is a possibility they can occasionally happen despite the drains. Lower extremity edema (swelling) may be prolonged. Migration of the scar can also occur.
The most serious complication is deep venous thrombosis. This is a blood clot most often forming in the calf. If it breaks off, it can lodge in the lung. Since this procedure limits your mobility in the immediate postoperative period, the risk does increase. Sequential compression stockings worn during and after the procedure will help decrease this risk. “Getting mobile” early in the postoperative period helps the circulation, as will prescription blood thinners such as Lovenox.
Smokers having a greater risk and must stop completely for one month before and one month after the procedure in order to optimize the wound healing ability. Those with serious medical conditions must have clearance prior to surgery being scheduled.
When can I return to work?
This, of course, depends upon what you do for a living. In general, it takes at least two weeks before returning to daily activities. It may take 10 to 14 days before being able to drive a car. Most patients do not return to their normal energy levels until one month after the procedure. You will constantly be monitored and evaluated during your follow-up office visits and together we can determine what is best for you.
Tel: 954-779-2777
1116 E. Broward Blvd.
Ft. Lauderdale FL. 33301
Office Hours Monday - Friday 9 AM - 5 PMAll contents © copyright 1999-2010 Zoran Potparic, All rights reserved.
All contents © copyright 1999-2008 Zoran Potparic, All rights reserved.
Dr. Zoran Potparic is a Fort Lauderdale plastic surgery specialist who has helped many Fort Lauderdale breast augmentation patients improve their figures and self-confidence. Dr. Potparic is also considered to be a Ft. Lauderdale face lift, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, and liposuction specialist. Located in South Florida’s Broward County, Dr. Potparic’s Fort Lauderdale cosmetic surgery practice is well known for high-quality service and superior pre and post operative care.
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BEFORE & AFTER PHOTOS: In keeping with our policy of patient confidentiality, we do not show before and after photos on our website. Please call our office (954) 779-2777, to schedule a convenient time to review the before and after results of our surgeries. We’re sure you’ll be pleased by what you see.
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