Question:
My friend was telling me about her body lift procedure that she had several years ago. She really liked the results and recommended that I also consider the procedure to remove excess skin and fat from my belly and thigh areas. My main concern is the after care. Will I need my husband to take some time off work to help me with the recovery process?
Answer:
A body lift procedure involves an abdominoplasty, thigh lift and buttock lift at the same time. The incision line does go all the way around the waist line. While it is an invasive procedure, the recovery is not any worse than a regular abdominoplasty, so therefore, the most uncomfortable period will be the first 48 hours and also it is uncomfortable having to deal with the drainage tubes that are placed as part of the procedure. You will need help from your husband or family member especially for the first night but after the first 48 hours most people are able to get around alone and do their normal daily activities. As with any other procedure such as an abdominoplasty or body lift, typically patients are not able to return to work until after 7-10 days and they are not able to undergo strenuous activities such as going to the gym or working out for at least four to six weeks.
About the Author: Dr. Edwin Williams
Dr. Edwin Williams is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon who founded The Williams Center in 1993. He has performed over 10,000 facial plastic surgery procedures and has pioneered the deep plane facelift. He served on the Board of Directors for the American Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery for over a decade, and served as President from 2015-2016. In 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, Dr. Williams earned the Castle Connelly Top Doctors award in New York Facial Plastic Surgery.
Dr. Edwin F. Williams III attended Cornell University in Ithaca, New York where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1982. He began medical school at the State University of Buffalo School of Medicine and received his Doctor of Medicine in 1986.
Dr. Williams is actively involved in teaching facial plastic and reconstruction surgery to the residents of the Albany Medical Center and is former Chief of the Section of Facial and Plastic Reconstruction Surgery at Albany Medical Center where he received an academic appointment of Clinical Professor, Department of Surgery.