Summary

When a person loses a significant amount of weight through gastric bypass, lap band surgery, post-pregnancy, or diet and exercise, they can be left with an abundance of excess skin that cannot possibly conform to their body’s new contours. The loose skin makes it difficult to feel confident, fit into clothing, and or it may get in the way of maintaining personal hygiene and cause rashes and skin infections. In this case, a body lift will remove excess skin, help to repair and adjust the contour of underlying tissues, and remove any excess fat that may remain. While this surgical procedure can be applied to the entire body, it may be limited to the arms, breasts, chest, and middle back (upper body lift). Upper-body-lift surgery may consist of one or several procedures, including an upper arm lift, breast lift (or gynecomastia), or surgery to remove fat rolls along the back. Loose, sagging skin resulting from dramatic weight loss or after liposuction is removed to create a tighter and smoother contour, improving your profile and leading to renewed self-confidence.

When a person loses a significant amount of weight through gastric bypass, lap band surgery, post-pregnancy, or diet and exercise, they can be left with an abundance of excess skin that cannot possibly conform to their body’s new contours. The loose skin makes it difficult to feel confident fitting into clothing, and it may get in the way of maintaining personal hygiene and cause rashes and skin infections.
In this case, a body lift will remove excess skin, help to repair and adjust the contour of underlying tissues, and remove any excess fat that may remain.

Loose, sagging skin resulting from dramatic weight loss or after liposuction is removed to create a tighter and smoother contour, improving your profile and leading to renewed self-confidence. Upper-body-lift surgery may consist of one or several procedures, including an upper arm lift, breast lift (or gynecomastia), or surgery to remove fat rolls along the back. While this surgical procedure can be applied to the entire body, it may be limited to the arms, breasts, chest, and middle back (upper body lift), the midsection, lower back, buttocks, groin, hips, and thighs (lower body lift), or in conjunction with a Tummy Tuck, or Mommy Makeover.

When to Consider Weight-Loss Surgery?. Upper Body Lift?

• You recently underwent massive weight loss through natural means or bariatric surgery.
• You have excess, sagging skin following pregnancy.
• You are discouraged by loose skin in the upper body.
• You have “back rolls” or rolls of fat around the edges of your lower back.

Am I the Right Candidate for Weight Loss Surgery? Upper Body Lift?

To undergo an upper body lift, you must be in good physical health. If you have lost a considerable amount of weight, have loose, sagging skin, or want to improve the contours of your body, you might benefit from this procedure. The following are some common reasons you may want to consider an upper body lift.

• You have undergone bariatric surgery or significant weight loss through dieting.
• Liposuction of fat pockets in your upper body has resulted in loose skin that needs to be removed.
• You have loose skin under your arms, by your armpits, on your breasts, and rolls on your back.
• The layers of fat below your loose skin are relatively thin.
• You do not smoke. Smoking slows down the healing process and increases the risk of severe complications during and after surgery. If you smoke, you must quit six weeks before surgery.
• Your weight has been stable for at least six months, with no further weight loss expected. For optimal results, you should not do body contouring for about two years following the start of any massive weight loss program. This time allows
• Your skin to shrink as much as possible and your nutrition to be stabilized and optimized, factors that will aid in your recovery.
• Overall, you are in good health without chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease. People in poor health are not good candidates for body contouring procedures. Get clearance for plastic surgery from your primary care physician or doctors treating you for medical conditions.
• If you are in good general health, have a positive attitude, and have realistic expectations, you are most likely the right candidate for this procedure.

Who Is Not a Candidate for Weight Loss Surgery? Upper Body Lift?

• A person who is still during weight loss
• A woman who may become pregnant
• A person who always has significant health issues related to obesity or other causes

Procedure Description for Body Lift

• The specific procedures will vary significantly from one patient to another depending on the complexity of the surgery, the individual’s aesthetic priorities, and the cosmetic surgeon’s preferences. The following procedures are very general and are provided only as an example.
• The surgery will take several hours.
• Anesthesia is administered
• The incisions are made.
• Liposuction may be used to remove excess fat and improve the contour simultaneously.
• The underlying tissues are repaired and shaped
• The incisions are closed with sutures
• Drains will be placed temporarily to aid recovery

Intended Results of Body Lift

• After a body lift, the results will be dramatic, immediate, and permanent after a body lift.
• Although it is not the primary objective, removing excess skin and minimal fat will result in additional weight loss.
• As the body heals, the results will continue improving until two years after the surgery, at which point they are considered final.
• There will be some visible scars, but improving the skin’s contours adds confidence and helps individuals gain the full benefit of their new shape.

Individuals considering an upper arm lift, also known as Brachioplasty, may have the fat removed from their arms by liposuction. If you want to have loose skin reduced on your arms, your doctor will make an incision underneath the armpit or along the back of the arm. I will then remove excess skin through this incision. This incision will likely run from the elbow to the armpit and perhaps extend along part of the upper chest wall and toward the back for patients with massive weight loss.

Suppose you are interested in a breast lift. In that case, your plastic surgeon will likely make three incisions: one around the areola, one extending from the bottom edge of the areola down to the breast crease (the inframammary fold), and the final incision underneath the breast, following its natural crease and curve. The surgeon will then remove any excess skin and relocate the nipple and areola to a higher position on the breast. This is the most common way to perform a breast lift; however, your surgeon may forego one or more of these incisions, depending on the shape and contours of your chest.

Those who want fat rolls removed from around their middle or lower back will have incisions on both sides of their midback (where their folds used to be) or near the bra line for women. I will remove the excess skin from the area, and the incisions will be closed with absorbable sutures, glue, or tape. Depending on the areas of your body you wish to target, you may opt for an upper arm lift, a breast lift, surgery to remove fat rolls along the back, or a combination of these procedures. Prof Moawad will help you determine which procedures are best for you.

Healing and Recovery Weight Loss Surgery? Upper Body Lift?

• You must follow your cosmetic surgeon’s instructions very carefully.
• The body lift is an extensive surgery, and achieving optimal results will require your compliance in your early home care, follow-up, and long-term recovery.
• You will be given medications to control pain and aid recovery.
• You will need to monitor your incisions and change dressings regularly.
• Your surgeon will provide guidelines for the appropriate activity level as your body heals.
• Within 12 weeks, most of the swelling should have dissipated.
• What will my upper body lift incisions and scars be like?
• Your surgeon will make several incisions when performing your upper body lift but will take extra care to hide the scars in areas that are not easily seen or are hidden by clothing.
• Liposuction: Because liposuction incisions are small, the scars are also tiny. Most liposuction scars fade and are barely perceptible over time.
• Limited incision Brachioplasty: Your scar will most likely be limited to the underarm area.
• Standard Brachioplasty: Incisions are generally placed on the inside of the arm and may extend from the armpit (axilla) to just above the elbow.
• Extended Brachioplasty: The standard Brachioplasty incision is extended along the arm down to the body to address loose skin and fatty tissue under the arm area.
• Breast lift commonly involves three incisions: around the areolas (nipples), downward from the areolas to the breast creases, and horizontally along the breast creases.
• Back lift: This incision goes across the midback and will be strategically located to be hidden by your bra strap or bathing suit strap.

How Do I Prepare for Weight Loss Surgery? Upper Body Lift?

Your surgeon will provide you with preoperative instructions, answer any questions you may have, take a detailed medical history, and perform a physical exam to determine your fitness for surgery. You also may be advised to visit your regular physician for a medical checkup. Patients who are also undergoing breast-lift surgery will likely need a mammogram before the day of their procedure. In advance of your procedure, your surgeon will ask you to:

• Stop smoking before undergoing surgery to promote better healing.
• Avoid taking aspirin, certain anti-inflammatory drugs, and some herbal medications that can cause increased bleeding.
• Regardless of the type of surgery to be performed, hydration is vital before and after surgery for safe recovery.
• You should be at a stable, dependable weight before undergoing an upper body lift. It is suitable for your plastic surgeon to consult with your bariatric surgeon (if you have experienced this procedure) before surgery to determine whether you have achieved your final weight plateau.
• If weight benchmarks or lifestyle changes are recommended, do your best to comply with these to achieve the best surgical results and minimize the chance of complications.
• If your upper body lift is performed on an outpatient basis, arrange for someone to drive you to and from surgery and arrange for skilled nursing care for several days, as specified by your doctor.

How do I Prepare for Recovery at Home?

• Establish a no-fail support system for the entire recovery period advised by your surgeon. This is most critical to your recovery. If you have children less than five years of age, you must have someone to care for them for at least two weeks. Lifting, driving, and household tasks, such as laundry and cleaning, should not be attempted during your recovery from this procedure.
• Your doctor can suggest many conveniences that may help you. For example, it may be helpful to move objects off high shelves, so they are easily reached.
• Before going to the hospital, prepare meals that I can quickly reheat. Stock your refrigerator with lots of fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins. Salt increases swelling; avoid it! Lean protein assists in healing.
• Arrange your nightstand with everything you’ll need within easy reach, including the telephone, reading material, and TV remote. Prepare your bed with the necessary pillows or wedge pillows you might need for support.
• Ask your doctor about the most comfortable clothing to wear home from the hospital, and wear slip-on shoes.
• Get all your responsibilities in advance and have as little to worry about as possible.

What Can I Expect on the Day Weight Loss Surgery? Upper Body Lift?

• Your surgery may be performed in an accredited hospital, MSI surgical suite. Your surgeon will estimate how long your surgery will last based on the details of your procedure.
• You will receive medications to keep you comfortable during the surgical procedure. Local anesthesia combined with sedation may be an option, but general anesthesia is more commonly used. An anesthesiologist will be present to administer sedatives or general anesthesia and assist in monitoring you during surgery. After you are asleep, a breathing tube will be placed in your mouth to ensure that your airway is secure during position changes involved in the body lift procedure.
• For your safety during the surgery, I will use various monitors to check your heart, blood pressure, pulse, and the amount of oxygen circulating in your blood.
• Your plastic surgeon will follow the surgical plan discussed with you before surgery. Once the operation has begun, they may combine various techniques or change a method to ensure the best result. It is essential that you feel comfortable and trusts your doctor to make these decisions.

When you wake up, you may find the following:

• Surgical drains have been placed to remove fluid that accumulates within the incisions.
• You are wearing a compression garment, which controls swelling, supports the suspended tissues, and flattens the skin. You may place this garment at the time of surgery or later.
• After surgery, I will take you into a recovery area, where you will continue to be closely monitored.
• Before leaving for home, you (or someone looking after you) should feel comfortable emptying and resetting your drains.
• You may go home on the day of surgery if you have skilled nursing help, or you can spend two or three days in an aftercare center with a nurse or in the hospital unless you and your plastic surgeon have made other plans for your immediate
• postoperative recovery. Under no circumstances will you be permitted to go home alone or stay home without another adult present. Follow your doctor’s recommendation about this decision.

Aftercare and Recovery

Your doctor will discuss how long it will be before you can return to your average level of activity and work. After surgery, you and your caregiver will receive detailed instructions about your postsurgical care, including information about:

• Drains, if they have been placed
• Typical symptoms you will experience
• Any potential signs of complications

Immediately after your upper body lift

• Depending on the intensity of your surgery and the number of procedures you undergo, you may be asked to stay in the hospital for up to two days as you recover. However, many patients will be able to return home after a few hours.
• After upper-arm-lift surgery, you can expect to have compression garments placed around your incision sites.
• Following a breast lift, you will likely find gauze over your breasts after surgery, and you may have a few drain tubes inserted, which I can remove after several days.
• If fat along the back has been removed, you will have a garment placed around the incision sites and may need to refrain from lying on your back until recovery is complete.

Recovery Time Frame after Weight Loss Surgery? Upper Body Lift?

Whether it included procedures in your upper body lift, you will need to rest and refrain from strenuous activity for several weeks; however, it is a good idea to get out of bed and move around occasionally to avoid problems resulting from blood clots. If you undergo Brachioplasty surgery (upper arm lift), I will likely advise you to keep your arms elevated (above the heart) for a few days. You will regain normal function of your arms and hands after two or three weeks. Surgery to target fat rolls on the back will typically require seven to ten days off. You can resume your normal activities after four to six weeks. The procedures associated with an upper-body lift are extensive. Thus you must comply with your doctor’s instructions before and after surgery to achieve the maximum results with minimal to no complications. If you grow concerned about any of your experiences after your procedure, or if swelling and pain last for more than two weeks, you should contact your doctor immediately.

How Long the Results of Weight Loss Surgery? Upper Body Lift Lasts?

Results from an upper-body lift are long-lasting but can be significantly influenced by changes in the body. If you gain or lose weight following your upper body lift, you may see some of your results diminish; however, maintaining a healthy body weight can help results last for years or decades, barring any other issues that may affect body size. It is important to remember that skin sags naturally because of aging, so certain areas of your body may not remain as taut as they were immediately after surgery.

Limitations and Risks

Every year, many thousands of people undergo successful aesthetic surgery of the abdomen, experience no major problems, and are pleased with the results. However, anyone considering surgery should be aware of both the benefits and risks. The risks and potential surgery complications are best discussed personally between you and your plastic surgeon or with an MSI staff member. Some of the possible complications discussed with you include bleeding, infection, and reactions to anesthesia. Tissue loss is a possibility when the scar is very extensive. This complication, which delays healing and prolongs recovery, is more common in patients who smoke or have medical conditions such as diabetes. Revisionary surgery is sometimes helpful in certain instances where incisions may have healed poorly. Following surgery, occasionally, fluid may accumulate under the skin. Removal of this serum is a painless process but may require several visits to MSI. You can help to lessen certain risks by following the advice and instructions of your plastic surgeon, both before and after surgery.

The decision to have plastic surgery is highly personal. You’ll have to decide if the benefits will achieve your goals and if tummy tuck surgery risks and potential complications are acceptable. You will be asked to sign consent forms to understand the procedure and any risks fully. All surgical procedures have some degree of risk. Fortunately, significant complications from upper-body-lift surgery are infrequent. Some of the potential complications of all operations are:

• Anesthesia risks
• Bleeding
• Infection
• Poor wound healing
• Unsightly scarring
• Fluid accumulation (seroma)
• Damage to deeper structures such as nerves, blood vessels, and muscles
• Fatty tissue under the skin might die (fat necrosis)
• Numbness or other changes in skin sensation
• Pain, which may persist
• Sutures may not absorb but spontaneously surface through the skin, causing irritation, drainage, and redness.
• The possible need for revisional surgery

Other Considerations of Weight Loss Surgery? Upper Body Lift?

Since the operation achieves tightening of the lower body by excising loose tissue (skin and fat), the lower body lift should be performed when the patient is as close to their desired or ideal body weight as possible. If, for example, the patient has tightening of their lower body and then loses weight, the tightened skin will loosen and become saggy. Conversely, postoperative weight gain will either stretch the skin which has been tightened or undo the improvements of the body lift. Because the lower body is lifted and suspended to the skin closure, excessive heaviness in the thighs and buttocks may prevent a long-lasting effect at the time of surgery. In such cases, further weight loss may be recommended before performing body lifting procedures. If this is not feasible, liposuction may be an option to thin the thighs and buttocks before attempting excisional body lifting.

Notes

I can determine the specific risks and the suitability of this procedure for a given individual only at the time of consultation. All surgical procedures have some degree of risk. Minor complications that do not affect the outcome occur occasionally. Significant complications are rare.