Body Lift

A body lift is a customized surgery designed to reduce sagging skin and excess fat in several areas of the body. Body lifts are often divided into two main types: the lower body lift and the upper body lift- both of which address unique cosmetic issues. 

Body lifts involve comprehensive treatment plans usually designed for those who have undergone weight-loss (bariatric) surgery, or who have lost a significant amount of weight through diet and exercise. They are designed to both sculpt and tighten the abdomen and other areas in a way that creates firmer, more attractive contours from all angles. 

If you feel that you may benefit from a body lift procedure, consider booking a consultation at Millard Plastic Surgery in Denver. Our team of highly trained, board-certified plastic surgeons is led by the expertise of Dr. John A. Millard, a body sculpting pioneer and the first surgeon to utilize VASER Hi-Def technology in the United States. Dr. Millard now shares his knowledge with other surgeons as a leader and teacher in the field. 

To schedule your appointment with Dr. Millard or another surgeon on our team, call (303) 792-5665 or inquire with our online contact form. A member of our staff will gladly assist you in setting up your consultation as soon as possible. 

Before and After Photos

View More Photos

Skin Laxity from Weight Loss 

Weight loss should be an accomplishment worthy of celebration. Unfortunately, many people striving to attain a healthier weight are met with sagging, loose skin that obscures their true contours. Not only can this skin affect body confidence, but it can also interfere with day-to-day life, causing discomfort, chafing, skin infections, and limited clothing options. For many, it negatively affects their intimate life and their ability to work out at the gym, putting a damper on weight loss maintenance.

What Causes Loose Skin After Massive Weight Loss? 

Loose skin as a result of significant or rapid weight loss is caused by the degradation and decrease of collagen fibers in the dermis of your skin. These fibers are quite strong and supportive, allowing the skin to retract quickly when pulled. 

Once the subcutaneous fat atrophies with weight loss, the skin’s collagen can become misaligned and loosely arranged. The dermis also loses its ability to produce an abundance of thick, rigid, organized collagen. It increases its production of elastin- the connective protein that provides a stretchy quality to the skin- leading to an imbalance of the right fibers that promote healthy-looking, youthful skin. ⁽¹⁾ With a lift procedure or a combination of lift procedures, the surgeon can excise extra fat and redrape the skin over the incision line for smoother, better-defined body contours. 

Upper Body Lift: Common Treatment Areas

Lower Body Lift: Common Treatment Areas

Am I a Good Candidate for a Body Lift? 

Body lifts are suitable for non-smoking patients determined to be in good health without any conditions that could impede their healing. Candidates should have a BMI under 35 to reduce the likelihood of complications during surgery or recovery. They should be able to maintain a stable weight for at least 6 months so the surgeon can accurately determine how much skin and fat to remove. 

At Millard Plastic Surgery, we will help you decide which procedures will produce the best results for your unique needs. Keep in mind that upper body lift procedures are always performed separately from lower body lifts. The operating times are always kept under 6 hours to minimize the risk of complications arising. ⁽²⁾ If you wish, your surgeon can perform one after the other, so long as there is adequate healing time (months) between each procedure. 

Personal Consultation

During your consultation at Millard Plastic Surgery, you can expect to receive the highest quality care that addresses all of your questions about the procedure itself, preparation, and recovery. We will evaluate your medical history, the characteristics of your skin and excess tissue, and your primary areas of concern. We will take the time to thoroughly listen to your needs and formulate a body lift treatment plan that will cater to your desired outcome. As the body lift is a highly individualized procedure, our surgeons understand the importance of planning and communication and will create a plan unique to your goals. 

To take your first steps toward attaining renewed confidence with a body lift, call our practice in Denver at (303) 792-5665 or schedule your consultation using our contact form today.

Preparation

Before your body lift, your surgeon will conduct blood tests to make sure you do not have any major conditions that need attention. If you are a smoker, you must quit for a few weeks to allow your body to restore better circulation- this is vital to both your results and preventing complications. Your surgeon will also review your current medications and supplements and make any necessary adjustments. For example, blood-thinning medications can cause unwanted bleeding during the surgery, so you should stop taking them in the weeks before your procedure. 

Upper Body Lift Procedures 

Arm Lift 

For an arm lift (brachioplasty), your surgeon will conceal the incision on the innermost side of your arm and excise the skin and fat necessary to slim the contour of the upper arms. 

Back Lift 

Your surgeon can treat either the upper back, the sides of the torso, or the lower back with a back lift, depending on the applied technique. To eliminate bulges of fat near the armpits, he can perform a bra-line back lift to eliminate excess tissue through butterfly wing-like incisions along both sides of the upper back. The resulting scar can be well-hidden behind the closure of bra straps or a bathing suit. For a vertical back lift, or vertical torsoplasty, your surgeon will enhance the shape of your waist and the adjacent areas right beneath the armpits. This will involve large oval incisions from the armpits to the top of the hip bones. Finally, you may opt for a lower back lift, which is the variation of the procedure which is most often combined with a tummy tuck and butt lift. For this technique, your surgeon will make two incisions: one above the pubic area and one above the navel. After removing fat and excess skin, he will re-suture the tissues just above the pubic area so that underwear and/or a bathing suit will conceal the scar. 

Breast Lift

Your surgeon will choose a specific type of incision to perform your breast lift, depending on how much sagging they exhibit: 

Lower Body Lift Procedures 

Buttock Lift 

Unlike a Brazilian Butt Lift, a buttock lift focuses on reshaping the buttocks rather than enhancing them through fat transfer. For a buttock lift, your surgeon will make a long, elliptical incision from hip to hip, just above the buttocks. After performing the lift techniques, he will suture it just above the buttocks so that it won’t be visible with low-cut pants or even most underwear. 

Tummy Tuck

The tummy tuck involved with a body lift is most often an extended form of the procedure. With this type of tummy tuck, your surgeon will only make one incision in the pubic area from hip to hip or an extended incision that wraps around the topmost part of the hip- further enhancing the lower waist to match the more toned contours of the front side of the abdomen. If loose abdominal skin extends past the pubic area, it is called a pannus. In these cases, the procedure will involve a panniculectomy, a more intensive procedure that involves removing this large flap. 

Thigh Lift

An outer thigh lift may also be considered.  For this procedure, your surgeon will make an incision just below each buttock and extend it to the outer side of your thigh for a smoother thigh contour. 

Corresponding & Complementary Procedures 

VASER Liposuction 

The surgeons at Millard Plastic Surgery are internationally renowned VASER liposuction innovators. Before any lifting procedure, your surgeon can perform VASER liposuction on the treatment area to further sculpt it by fragmenting and emulsifying fat before removal. VASER liposuction incisions are only a few millimeters and are incredibly discreet. The device itself can create results that enhance muscular definition and can be utilized in nearly any part of the body. Patients benefit from this form of liposuction since it requires less downtime and significantly less discomfort during recovery. ⁽³⁾

EMSCULPT Neo

EMSCULPT Neo harnesses the power of electromagnetic energy through its high-intensity focused electromagnetic (HIFEM) technology. This cutting-edge treatment simultaneously builds muscle and reduces unwanted fat, providing you with comprehensive results that go beyond traditional body contouring procedures.

One of the key benefits of EMSCULPT Neo is its ability to target specific areas of the body, such as the abdomen and buttocks, to provide tailored treatments for abdominal toning and buttock lifting. By stimulating intense muscle contractions in these targeted areas, EMSCULPT Neo helps you achieve a more defined and toned appearance.

Cost of a Body Lift in Denver 

The cost of your body lift will depend on your individual treatment plan, your pre and post-procedure medications, scheduled appointments, and other surgical fees that may be involved. We offer a variety of financing options for all eligible patients. During your consultation, your surgeon will give you a comprehensive idea of all costs involved, with your primary concerns in mind. 

Achieve the contours of your dreams after putting in the hard work of losing weight with a body lift. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Millard or a surgeon from his incredibly skilled team, call our Englewood office at (303) 792-5665 or submit your request using our online form. If you would like to explore more of our procedure options, feel free to browse through our blog.

References

1. Rocha RI, Junior WC, Modolin MLA, Takahashi GG, Caldini ETEG, Gemperli R. Skin Changes Due to Massive Weight Loss: Histological Changes and the Causes of the Limited Results of Contouring Surgeries. Obesity Surgery. 2021;31(4):1505-1513. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-020-05100-3 
2. Swanson E. Near-circumferential Lower Body Lift. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery – Global Open. 2019;7(12):e2548. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/gox.0000000000002548 
3. Ruff PG, Garcia O, Nykiel M, Galanis CJ. Consensus-based Recommendations for Vibration Amplification of Sound Energy at Resonance Ultrasound-Assisted Liposuction. Plastic and reconstructive surgery Global open. 2023;11(7):e5110-e5110. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/gox.0000000000005110