Body Lift

A body lift (sometimes called a “belt lipectomy” or “lower body lift”) is a surgical procedure that can achieve truly dramatic results, significantly improving the appearance of the abdomen, breasts/chest, waist, hips, buttocks, back, and thighs.

The Body Makeover

Individuals who are unhappy with the sagging, loose skin on their body can greatly benefit from a body lift. This can often occur due to age, excessive weight loss, or pregnancy, but a body lift has the ability to improve overall shape and tone of the underlying tissues for a rejuvenated appearance.

Best Body Lift Candidates

If you’re in the San Diego and La Jolla area and you’re considering a body lift, it may be the perfect procedure for your cosmetic goals. Those who make the best body lift patients are those who:

Are bothered by loose, flabby, sagging skin
Have maintained their weight for at least three months
Do not smoke
Are willing to lead a healthy lifestyle and maintain a stable weight
Are aware of the incisions and scars involved
Have realistic goals for what a body lift can do
Are in overall good health with no conditions that impair healing
Fully understand the body lift procedure, risks, and recovery

Dr. G was the third doctor I went to for a consultation. First I went into his office where we sat down and he answered all my questions. ALL OF THEM! Then we went into the examination room where we talked about options. I decided to have a belt lipectomy and brachioplasty. Dr. G and Eva have been very supportive and tremendous help during my recovery. I really appreciate all Dr. G and Eva have done! Thank you!

Kristine S., Body Lift Patient

Before & After

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Body Lift Surgical Details

Dr. G performs a body lift with the patient under general anesthesia. This surgery does require incisions that will result in visible scars, although we do everything possible to keep their visibility at a minimum. The type of incisions that will be made, where they are located, and the size of the incisions will all be carefully discussed with you during your consultation with Dr. G. The kind of incisions used for your body lift will depend on how much skin is being taken away and which parts of the body are being treated. After the incisions have been precisely created, Dr. G will remove extra skin, re-position the remaining skin, and tighten it. He may also tighten the underlying muscles, and liposuction also may be performed to remove excess fat. The incisions will then be closed and dressed. A body lift procedure typically takes 4-7 hours.

Recovery

Body lift patients will need assistance for a few days following surgery, so it’s important to make sure a friend or family member can help. In many cases, a body lift patient will remain overnight in the surgery center for observation before going home the next morning. Body lift recovery time will depend on your specific case, but in general, patients require 4-6 weeks of downtime. You will experience some discomfort, swelling, bruising, and soreness the first week following surgery. Swelling can last several weeks, but will look better with each passing day.

Although we encourage short, frequent walks following surgery (for circulation), strenuous exercise should be avoided for 6-8 weeks, or until Dr. G advises. Dr. G does his own pre-op, post-op, consults, and follow-ups, so you will have the comfort of having access to a board-certified surgeon during recovery. (Patients can contact us 24/7.) We will also provide a list of everything you’ll need to prepare for the procedure and for recovery, as well as a vetted Amazon store where you can buy these items. This will help your recovery go as smoothly as possible.

It’s incredibly important to keep your incisions clean during recovery. You may also be given a compression garment to wear. In addition, you may have drains placed to collect fluid. If you have drains placed, we will carefully explain how to take care of them at home.

Results

It’s important for those considering a body lift to understand that it can take up to 1-2 years for the results to be finalized. Although early improvements can be seen almost instantly, final results do take time. These results are essentially permanent, as long as your weight doesn’t fluctuate—however, some loss of tightness is to be expected as you age. The incision scars will fade more and more as the years go by.

Best Body Lift in San Diego: Dr. G

What makes Dr. G the best body lift surgeon in the San Diego and La Jolla area? Not only is he a board-certified plastic surgeon; body procedures are one of his primary services. With over 20 years in practice and a highly experienced staff, Dr. Joseph Grzeskiewicz (or “Dr. G” to his patients) believes in making dreams come true. Our practice truly stands out because of the extra mile we go to ensure an outstanding patient experience. If you’re interested in learning what a body lift can do for you, we welcome you to contact our office to book your consultation.

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