Body Lift in Charleston, SC

If you wish your body were firmer, smoother, and with a better contour, a body lift can help. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Brian G. Widenhouse offers body lifts for men and women who live in Charleston, Daniel Island, Mount Pleasant, Summerville and the surrounding communities in South Carolina.

What Is a Body Lift?

A body lift is a surgical procedure that improves the shape and tone of tissue that supports your skin and fat. Excess skin and fat are removed, and the result is a better body shape. Virtually any body part can be reshaped, but body lifts most commonly requested are arm lifts, buttock lifts, and thigh lifts. Body lifts also help people who have had major weight loss and now have significant hanging skin.

There are many kinds of body lifts. People are most familiar with tummy tucks and breast lifts, but other parts of the body can be reshaped in a similar way. Other common lifts requested are arm lifts, buttock lifts (or butt lifts), and thigh lifts.

• Upper body lifts address the breasts and upper back.
• Lower body lifts address excess skin of the buttocks, thighs, hips, and belly.
• Posterior body lifts remove excess skin from the lower back, buttocks, and thighs.
• Back lifts slim the upper back and contour the waist from the rear.

How Much Does A Body Lift Cost in Charleston?

Body lifts are entirely unique procedures, creating variation in cost between patients. Our staff will inform you of the cost of your procedure at your consultation. We accept payments made by cash, check, and credit card. Financing is available to ease the burden of surgical costs.

What To Expect After A Body Lift?

Prescription medication may be given to ease your pain following a body lift. Before you are released the day of surgery, you will receive specific instructions for aftercare and recovery; it is essential to the success of your procedure and your healing that these directions are followed without deviation. Dressings are taken off about three days post-op. Drains will stay in place until drainage has ended, which lasts two to four weeks.

Avoid bending and straining muscles in the first weeks after surgery. Most patients who are healing optimally will be able to return to regular daily activities about two to three weeks after the procedure. It is important that you keep follow-up appointments so that Dr. Widenhouse can monitor your healing and ensure it is safe for you to resume certain activities. Always wear sunscreen when going outdoors until your body has healed entirely.

Will I Have Scars After Getting A Body Lift?

Yes, you will have scars after your body lift. The goal of the body lift is to deliver a taut and trim physique, and we understand surgical scarring can detract from your desired appearance as well as cause body image issues. When possible, Dr. Widenhouse positions incisions in inconspicuous or camouflaged body areas to conceal or minimize their appearance.

When Will I See The Results?

Swelling from the surgery will prevent you from seeing complete results immediately after surgery. As time goes on, you’ll see the results more and more. The majority of swelling will have subsided by three months, allowing you to see the true results of your body lift.

What Are Possible Complications Of A Body Lift?

Body lifts are not without possible complications. These include:

• Infection
• Bleeding
• Wound closure issues
• Tissue death
• Deep vein thrombosis
• Pulmonary embolism
• Swelling and bruising
• Pain and soreness

How Long Will The Results Of A Body Lift Last?

A body lift removes loose skin and fat cells. The results are long-lasting but can be affected by body changes such as weight fluctuations or pregnancy.

Benefits of A Body Lift

Body lift procedures create functional and aesthetic improvements throughout the entire body. Excess skin reduction rids the body of heavy tissue causing strain and stress. Cosmetically, the procedure leads to tighter skin throughout the body. Body lifts are an excellent complement for patients who have undergone great weight loss who are left with excess skin throughout.

Body lifts allow clothing to fit better, eliminate rashes and chafing associated with skin folds and flaps and improves self-confidence by ridding the body of unsightly, unwanted skin bulges.

Who Is The Ideal Candidate For A Body Lift?

Patients who have experienced serious weight loss are often left with large amounts of excessive skin across many areas of the body, which cannot be improved through diet and exercise. If this scenario applies to you and you are in overall good health, a body lift may be the ideal treatment.

What Do I Need To Do Before A Body Lift?

Schedule a consultation with Dr. Widenhouse to learn if a body lift can treat your excess skin issues. He will perform a physical examination to identify skin bulges and areas which could be addressed through a body lift. Your medical history will also be taken into consideration, as certain conditions could affect the surgery or its outcomes.

Dr. Widenhouse will develop a unique treatment plan built around your needs. No two body lift procedures are exactly alike. Instructions will be given to prepare for surgery, such as discontinuation of smoking and certain medications. Since IV sedation is used, you must not eat or drink after a certain point the night before or the morning of your surgery.

What Should I Expect On The Day Of A Body Lift?

Body lifts are performed on an outpatient basis under IV sedation. Once the IV sedation has been administered, additional numbing will be applied to the specific areas undergoing treatment. Small incisions are made into the body areas being treated, which allows Dr. Widenhouse to cut away excess fat and skin tissue. Skin is pulled taut, and incisions are deeply sutured to secure the wound and skin positioning.

How Long Does It Take To Perform A Body Lift?

A total body lift will take anywhere from four to seven hours to perform. If only certain portions of the body are to be lifted, the treatment time is generally shorter.

Dr. Brian G. Widenhouse is passionately committed to reflecting your inner beauty. Using the latest and most advanced procedures for cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, our team offers full body plastic surgery, emphasizing overall health and wellness to the residents of Charleston, Daniel Island, Mount Pleasant, Summerville and the surrounding communities in South Carolina. Contact Port City Plastic Surgery today!