Body Contouring Plastic Surgery after Massive Weight Loss in Coral Springs and Lighthouse Point, Florida with Board Certified Plastic Surgeon F. Leigh Phillips

If you’re considering body contouring (body lift) plastic surgery…………

Choosing body contouring (body lift) plastic surgery with board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Leigh Phillips in South Florida after massive weight loss can help you achieve a healthy, balanced look. Body contouring (body lift) plastic surgery is often accomplished through a combination of procedures. Depending on what’s right for you, body contouring could result in providing you with a tighter tummy or abdomen, trimmer, slimmer buttocks and thighs, trim upper arms and similar dramatic changes in your body’s appearance.

The Best Candidates for Body Contouring (Body Lift) Plastic Surgery

If you have excess body skin (frequently due to significant weight loss or post gastric bypass surgery) you may be an excellent candidate for body contouring (body lift) plastic surgery with Dr. Phillips.

The intended result is a smoother flatter abdomen and buttock tightening, diminishing thigh cellulite and removal of back rolls or excess back skin.

All Surgery Carries Some Uncertainty and Risk

When body contouring (body lift) plastic surgery after major weight loss is performed by a qualified plastic surgeon, complications are infrequent and usually minor. Still, individuals vary greatly in their anatomy, their physical reactions, and their healing abilities, and the outcome is never completely predictable.

Complications that can occur include hematoma (a collection of blood under the skin that must be removed by Dr. Phillips), injuries to the nerves that supply sensation, infection, and reactions to the anesthesia. Poor healing of the skin is most likely to affect smokers.

You can reduce your risks by closely following Dr. Phillips’ advice both before and after surgery.

Planning Your Body Contouring (Body Lift) Plastic Surgery

Body contouring (body lift) plastic surgery after major weight loss involves highly individualized procedures. During your initial consultation with Dr. Phillips he will evaluate your chosen areas for fat collection and fat redepositing, as well as discuss your goals for the surgery.

Dr. Phillips will check for medical conditions that could present challenges during or after surgery, such as uncontrolled high blood pressure, blood clotting problems, or the tendency to form excessive scars. Be sure to tell Dr. Phillips if you are taking any drugs or medications, especially aspirin or other drugs that affect clotting. You must quit smoking at least two weeks prior to surgery.

If you decide to choose body lift plastic surgery with Dr. Phillips, he will explain the techniques and anesthesia he will use, the type of facility where the surgery will be performed, and the risks and costs involved. Don’t hesitate to ask Dr. Phillips any questions you may have, especially those regarding your expectations and concerns about the results.

Preparing For Your Body Contouring (Body Lift) Plastic Surgery

Dr. Phillips will give you specific instructions on how to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding certain vitamins and medications. Carefully following these instructions will help your surgery go more smoothly. If you smoke, it’s especially important to stop at least a week or two before and after surgery; smoking inhibits blood flow to the skin, and can interfere with the healing of your incision areas.

Whether your body contouring after major weight loss plastic surgery is being done on an outpatient or inpatient basis, you should arrange for someone to drive you home after your surgery, and to help you out for a day or two if needed.

Where Your Body Contouring (Body Lift) Plastic Surgery Will Be Performed

Body lift plastic surgery with Dr. Phillips, due to its extensive nature, would be performed in a hospital facility as an inpatient. Certain conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure should be monitored after surgery and may also require a short inpatient stay.

Types of Anesthesia

Body contouring (body lift) plastic surgery is usually performed under general anesthesia.

The Body Contouring (Body Lift) Plastic Surgery Procedure

Although the surgical sequence varies depending on the needs of each patient, Dr. Phillips will usually treat the belly first, by removing the excess skin from the belly button down to the pubic area. The abdominal wall muscle, which is deep to the skin and fat of the belly, is then tightened. The fat and skin above the belly button is then stretched down to the pubic area and sutured in place. A new opening is made to allow the belly button to be brought through, in its original position.

The patient is then turned to the side and the excess skin and fat from the side to the mid back is removed. This part of the operation reduces and lifts the outer thighs. As the skin and fat are removed from the back the back rolls are reduced and the buttocks are lifted. Each of these maneuvers is done to a different degree depending on the needs of the patient. Some patients require liposuction of the outer thighs. The same is performed on the other side of the body. A belt lipectomy will usually require between 3.5 to 7 hours to perform.

Following Your Body Contouring (Body Lift) Plastic Surgery

Body contouring plastic surgery can be one of the more uncomfortable plastic surgery procedures and probably requires more time-consuming and limiting recovery. One to three days of hospitalization or skilled nursing care or assistance at home is usually indicated.

You will be encouraged to be moving and walking regularly within 1-2 days. Light activity is comfortable in 10-20 days. Sports will not be comfortable for about 6 weeks.

Getting Back to Normal

Postoperative pain varies. The most common postoperative issue is swelling and some bruising. This is highly variable based on individual healing characteristics. Swelling could last as long as two weeks.

Dr. Phillips will give each patient more specific guidelines for gradually resuming normal activities. They’re likely to include these suggestions: Avoid strenuous activity, including sex and heavy housework, for at least two weeks (walking and mild stretching are fine); avoid alcohol, steam baths, and saunas for several months. Above all, get plenty of rest and allow your body to spend its energy on healing.