Upper Body Lift
Upper Body lift
A body lift is the operation in which the excess skin and subcutaneous fat is removed not only from the abdomen area, as is done in the classic abdominoplasty, but also from the back. Patients are usually young or middle-aged men and women who have undergone bariatric surgery and have large excess skin, with sagging and stretch marks. The type of surgery that will be chosen depends on the patient's age, history and needs.
WHAT CAN BE DONE?
When excess skin is located mainly below the navel and extends back low on the back, patients are candidates for a Lower Body Lift. If, on the contrary, the excess skin is located above the level of the navel in the epigastrium, extends to the sides of the breasts and back to the back, patients have an indication for an upper body lift. The aim of the surgery is to sculpt a slimmer and firmer torso, remove excess skin with stretch marks and restore rectus abdominis distension - when and where it exists. These operations are carried out simultaneously with liposuction.
UPPER BODY LIFT
The Upper body lift is usually recommended to patients who have lost a lot of weight and who present horizontal excess skin on the anterior and posterior surface of their trunk, mainly above the waist level. The operation is combined with liposuction, with mastopexy in women and correction of gynecomastia in men.
As a result of the surgery there is a horizontal incision, like a wreath, that surrounds the trunk and starts below the breasts, in the inframammary groove, continues back around the armpit and back and closes near the spine. The issue of postoperative scars should be discussed extensively with the patient prior to surgery.
WHO IS THE UPPER BODY LIFT FOR?
Candidates for the upper body lift are patients with the aforementioned characteristics, who have stabilized their body weight, have obtained a normal BMI (body mass index) and have no other serious health problems. Also, regarding the prioritization of the surgeries, the lower body lift should have been performed first - for those patients who have excess in the lower torso - and the female patients should have undergone a breast lift or gynecomastia restoration, the men. Alternatively, the last two surgeries can be done at the same time as the upper body lift. If there is an abdominal hernia, it is corrected by a general surgeon during the body lift, without additional incisions.
WHAT IS THE TYPE OF ANESTHESIA?
The body lift is always done under general anesthesia in an organized clinic. The duration of the surgery is from 4 to 7 hours. After the surgery, it is advisable to stay in the clinic for 2 days and to mobilize the patients immediately.
WHAT WILL THE SCARS LOOK LIKE AFTER THE UPPER BODY LIFT?
There will be a horizontal high incision that runs across the torso, below the breasts and back to the spine. The scar is covered by the swimsuit and underwear. For the majority of patients however, the scar is negligible compared to the relief they feel from the improvement in their torso contour. To avoid misshapen or hypertrophic scars, you will be given instructions immediately after the stitches are removed, and you will be put on a follow-up program if you have a history of keloids.
HOW LONG WILL THE RESULTS LAST?
The results are permanent and will remain stable as long as patients do not gain weight again. Scars will be visible for the first 8 months, after which they fade and sag.
WHAT ARE THE LIMITATIONS?
In an upper torso lift, the skin above waist level is removed, along with old stretch marks and scars. Surgery will not correct the quality of the skin below the navel, and patients should be aware that stretch marks and thinning of the skin will remain after surgery, but will be less noticeable because the skin that is preserved is stretched.
Among the most serious limitations of the surgery are the existence of old incisions in the abdomen, large abdominal hernias and the possibility of future pregnancy. Also, patients who do not have a normal BMI, who have frequent fluctuations in their weight or have serious health problems and who cannot receive general anesthesia for many hours should be prevented from these surgeries.
WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF A UPPER BODY LIFT?
The doctor will evaluate your general condition and history and, if she judges that you are suitable for the surgery, she will inform you about the possible complications and what needs to be done to reduce the possibility of their occurrence. You will also be asked to stop smoking and refrain from using supplements that affect blood clotting. The anesthesiologist will then talk to you about the type of anesthesia you will receive and the possible complications.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO BEFORE SURGERY?
Depending on your age, you will be given instructions on the medications you may be taking and should be stopped or replaced, as well as the additional testing you may need to do to investigate hernias and venous insufficiency. Your weight should remain stable at the lowest levels, because possible fluctuations may postpone the surgery.
The doctor will explain the value of smoking cessation and proper nutrition in wound healing. One week before the surgery, measurements will be taken to order a special pressure garment, you will be photographed and the consent form will be signed.
WHAT TO DO AFTER SURGERY?
You stay in the clinic for the first two 24 hours, but the time away from office work must be calculated at 2 weeks. You will generally feel overwhelmed and it is recommended to refrain from physical work and sports for 1 month.
When you leave the surgery you will wear a special pressure garment which you will keep for 6 weeks. You will likely have drains that will be removed in the first 24 hours, and you will need to be mobilized as soon as possible. You will be given antibiotics and anticoagulants for two weeks. Pain and swelling when present are easily treated. Because the sutures are intradermal, no stitches need to be removed.
WHAT IS THE COST OF THE OPERATION?
The cost of lifting the trunk is calculated by adding the cost of the clinic, in which the patient is operated and treated, the fee of the Plastic Surgeon and the Anesthesiologist. If there is a hernia, the General Surgeon's fee is also calculated. The purchase of the special pressure garment must be added to the costs.
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