Is a Buttock/Thigh Lift Right for You?

A thigh/buttock lift could be ideal if you are self-conscious about your lower body appearance and:

• You have lost some skin elasticity in your thigh, hip or buttock areas
• Your skin area sags or has an “orange peel” or dimpled appearance
• The appearance of your thigh improves dramatically when you lift the lax skin.

About the Procedure

Your surgeon will work with you during your initial consultation to determine which procedures will be most effective in achieving your desired result. There are many possible variations in the procedure to meet clothing or personal desires. To lift the inner thighs, the surgeon makes short incisions that extend from the back of the thigh/groin crease around to the buttock crease. If desired, side or back thigh lifts may be performed as separate procedures

Lifting the entire thigh and buttock (also known as a circumferential lower body lift) requires much longer incisions. The surgeon makes these incisions starting in the buttock crease, then extends around the groin, up and over the side of the abdomen, over the flank and across the back.

The arm lift procedure

On the day of your surgery, your doctor starts by marking your arm where they plan to make incisions. There are several ways of performing an arm lift, but the most common ones involve incisions on the inside or back your arms. Other options include an armpit incision or one that extends from the top of your elbow to your armpit.

Recovering from an arm lift

While you recover from surgery, you might need to wear a compression garment to control swelling. Your doctor might also insert a temporary drainage tube in your arm to drain any fluid or blood that builds up after surgery.

It’s important to also avoid smoking while you recover from an arm lift. Smoking slows down the healing process, which raises your risk of developing permanent scarring or infections. You should be able to return to work or school and resume some activities within two weeks. Within six weeks, you should be able to return to your normal activity level. Tell your doctor about any pain or problems moving after the initial recovery period.

A flabby abdomen is caused not only by the accumulation of fat, but also by the poor elasticity of the skin, excess skin, and the stretching of the inner girdle of connective tissue (abdominal fascia) and abdominal muscles that extends from the ribs to the pubic bone. This inner girdle, which holds the internal organs in place, is responsible for the tone and appearance of the abdomen

You might consider a tummy tuck if:

• You have a weak lower abdominal wall
• If you’ve previously had a C-section, your plastic surgeon might be able to incorporate your existing C-section scar into your tummy tuck scar.
• A tummy tuck can also be done in combination with other body contouring cosmetic procedures, such as a buttock lift (belt lipectomy).

What you can expect

After a tummy tuck, your abdominal incision and your bellybutton will likely be covered with surgical dressing. Small tubes might be placed along the incision site to drain any excess blood or fluid.

Your bed will be positioned to keep your upper body slightly raised and your knees at an angle for the first few days after surgery. Members of your health care team will also help you walk as early as the first day after a tummy tuck to help prevent the formation of blood clots.

For the first three months after a tummy tuck, you’ll need to take care when moving and avoid positions that strain your incision line — such as quickly bending at the waist — to prevent the re-opening of the wound. In addition, you’ll need to schedule follow-up visits with your doctor for the next year.

VASER is short for Vibration Amplification of Sound Energy of Resonance. This procedure uses a device that liquefies the fat cells before removing them from the body. The surgeon also applies tumescent fluid to the area, which helps break down the fat even more and also sedates the location

Candidates for High Definition Liposuction

The ideal candidate for HD lipo is in good shape, has a solid underlying musculature, and don’t have much fat that needs removing. If you want a “shredded” look, this procedure can help you get it.

You may not have much extra fat, but getting the look you want can be difficult without resorting to extreme measures. This procedure helps to change your body while keeping you healthy

What can you expect

The VASER ultrasound-assisted device sends out ultrasound waves that melt and loosen the fat. Next, the surgeon makes tiny, hidden incisions to insert the device that will remove the fat

When you get an HD lipo procedure done, you’ll be put under general anesthesia in a surgical facility. The procedure will be longer or shorter depending on what areas you’re getting treated and how many areas you want to be done.

After it’s over, you’ll be placed in a compression garment, which helps your blood circulate and lets you heal faster. You can expect to need 7 to 10 days away from work while you recover after the surgery