Body Lift

Dr. Gaby Doumit specializes in Total Full, Upper, and Lower Body Lift Plastic Surgery in Montreal, Ottawa, and Quebec. Body lift surgery is used to improve the shape and tone of underlying tissue. WHAT IS A BODY LIFT? A body lift removes excess skin and underlying fat from the abdomen, flanks, thighs, and back which results from poor tissue elasticity. Circumferential abdominoplasty (body lift) enhances the tone and shape of the lower body tissue. It is very well known that tissue elasticity can be compromised with aging, sun damage, genetic factors, and significant fluctuations in weight (50 pounds or more). Rapid weight loss over a short of period time due to bariatric surgery (such as gastric bypass or Lap-Band) or intense exercise, often results in sagging of the abdomen, arms, thighs, buttocks, breasts, and face since the skin fails to regain its former size and shape after being stretched for a long period. A body lift will enhance the following body areas:

A complete lower body lift removes the excess amounts of heavy, loose folds of skin around the abdomen, waist, hips, and thighs all in a single procedure.

I said I would never do it but I did & so glad I did. After losing 100lbs, my skin dropped from everywhere. I quickly realized that Dr Doumit was in a class of his own. I initially had a lower body lift. Dr Doumit is one of the rare surgeons in Mtl to perform it in one surgery but certainly the one with the most experience. I felt very well taken care of and received amazing care. A few months later, I went back to have an arm lift & breast lift with an augmentation. I chose to trust Dr Doumit. His staff was amazing in making sure I was taken care of, before & after each surgery. The results are amazing! Dr Doumit is a very skilled human surgeon. I would recommend him without hesitation.

Before and After Photos

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Ideal Candidate

You should only consider a body lift if your weight has been stable for at least a year and major weight fluctuations are unlikely in the future. If you are planning a pregnancy, you should postpone the procedure, as it might compromise the results.

In general, good candidates for a body lift include:

Preparation

Good preparation for your body lift procedure includes discussing important questions about your health, desires, and lifestyle with Dr. Doumit at his clinic. He will be better informed to evaluate your general health status and any pre-existing health conditions or risk factors that might play a certain role in ascertaining your safety during the whole process.

To ensure the best results from your body lift procedure, be prepared to discuss:

Dr. Doumit may also:

HOW IS A BODY LIFT (CIRCUMFERENTIAL ABDOMINOPLASTY) PERFORMED?

Body lift surgery consists of removing ALL excess skin and fat deposits from the abdomen, mons pubis, lateral thighs, flanks, and back. After intubation, the patient is placed in a prone position. The incision is made in the lower back. Excess skin from the buttock and lateral thigh is excised. A drain is placed. The skin is closed in multiple layers. The dressing is applied to cover the incision. Surgery is stopped. The patient is then turned into a prone supine position (on their back). The patient is re-prepped and draped in the usual sterile fashion manner. An incision is made in the lower abdomen about 6-7 cm above the vagina. Dr Doumit makes sure that the horizontal incision is placed lower than a Bikini line. Excess skin from the mons pubis and abdomen is removed. The rectus abdominal muscles are tightened. Drain is placed and the skin is closed in multiple layers. The dressing is applied. The incision is hence circumferential, lifting both the abdomen and back area. A complete lower body lift tightens the buttocks, abdomen, waist, hips, and thighs in a single procedure.

To achieve the best overall contouring, Dr. Doumit might recommend a combination of liposuction and body lift surgery. Deep sutures within the skin are also used to help maintain the shape of the new contours. The final result might be obtained over the years, as overall skin reduction may be done in several stages, addressing only one or two areas of the body at a time. Dr. Doumit will make sure to address all your needs in the most professional, safe, and efficient manner and recommend the best strategy to achieve your goals.

The entire body lift procedure is performed under general anaesthesia, and medication will also given during the procedure to ensure your comfort. The time of surgery varies among individuals, as the needs to be met can vary. Following the surgery, you will need to stay one night at Centre De Chirurgie Plastique et Esthétique De Montréal for supervision.

Recovery

Following the body lift procedure, Dr. Doumit will provide you with garments and bandages that will be applied on the incision and a medical compression garment to be worn at all times for 4 to 6 weeks except while bathing. The drain (A small, thin tube) that was temporarily inserted under the skin during surgery to collect any excess fluid or blood will be removed in about one week after surgery. All surgical dressings are generally removed two days after surgery, at which time showering will also be allowed.

Body lift is a major surgical procedure. Therefore, it requires significant time to recover, anytime from 10 to 14 days. Most patients are back to light-duty work after two weeks. However, it will take six to eight weeks to resume heavy lifting and hard labor. For the first six weeks, no strain or pressure should be applied to the treated area. Restrictions of post-surgery activities include avoiding exercise and limiting lifting to less than five pounds. Most people require four to six weeks before returning to normal activities, but it is highly recommended to wait six to eight weeks before resuming exercise. Walking is encouraged after surgery, but no further exercise is advised until sufficient healing has occurred.

Oral pain medications are used to help manage pain and discomfort. Dr. Doumit will also encourage you to follow a specific diet and will give you further recommendations to help reduce the risk of complications.

It takes about six weeks for approximately 75 percent of the swelling to subside and about 12 weeks for 90 percent of the swelling to subside.

Results

The results of a body lift procedure are visible almost immediately. As the swelling subsides and the scars fade, the final results will be gradually more apparent. This might take several months, depending on individual needs. Provided a stable weight and regular exercise, overall results will be permanent. Most patients are very satisfied with the results and feel more confident in a variety of clothes.

Safety

As in all surgical procedures, a body lift carries some risk.

The risks of a body lift include: bleeding, unattractive scarring, asymmetry, infection, bruising, soreness, separation of incision, skin laxity or necrosis, loss of sensation, pain, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism and swelling

Cost

The cost of a body lift varies according to the complexity of the surgery that needs to be performed. Costs usually vary between $ 18,000 and $ 22,000 + tax.