Total Body Lift

Address Sagging on Both the Upper and Lower Body in St. Louis, MO

What is a total body lift at St. Louis' West County Plastic Surgeons? This procedure combines the lower body lift with a lifting and sculpting procedure of the breasts, upper back, and armpit region for dramatic improvements to the entire trunk. Although the lower body lift will address the front, sides, and the buttocks, it does not address redundant skin in the armpit and bra strap areas. To correct these areas, a second incision extending from a breast lift through the armpit region and to the bra strap areas is performed. This upper body lift will tighten loose skin in these areas, and when combined with a lower body lift comprises the so-called total body lift. The total body lift is the most powerful cosmetic procedure available to contour the trunk after massive weight loss.

What’s New With Total Body Lifts?

At West County Plastic Surgeons, we are very interested in speeding up recovery and reducing post-operative discomfort. We now use an “Enhanced Recovery Protocol” to help patients experience less pain after procedures, including total body lifts. Our protocol optimizes medications before and after surgery with the goal of minimizing the need for pain medicine post-surgery and speeding up recovery time. We are proud that this protocol has received awards at plastic surgery meetings around the world and has led to multiple publications. With total body lifts, we can utilize specific nerve blocks, given while you are asleep, to reduce pain in the surgical site and reduce the need for pain medicine after surgery.

To schedule your appointment for a total body lift in St. Louis, contact our office by phoning 314-996-8800, requesting your consultation online.

Anesthesia: A total body lift is performed with the patient under general anesthesia.

Length of procedure: 5 to 7 hours.

Estimated recovery time: You can return to work after 6 to 8 weeks and should avoid vigorous activities for at least 8 weeks. Visible bruising should clear up within 2 weeks, and swelling begins to resolve within 4 weeks. To learn how to prepare for a total body lift and what to expect afterward, click here to download our patient instructions for lower body lift and breast lift or gynecomastia correction.

Side effects: Common side effects include bruising, swelling, a few spitting sutures, and some numbness, itching, and spasm of the abdomen, lower back, and sides. Drain tubes lasting 10 to 30 days are placed, and you will be required to walk gently flexed at the waist for about 5 days after surgery. An injectable blood thinner called Lovenox® is generally used for at least 10 days after surgery to prevent blood clots. On occasion, delays in wound healing may occur. Click here to download a detailed consent form from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons that lists the risks and benefits of body lift procedures.

Before-and-after photos of total body lift results: Click here

Associated Procedures

A total body lift may be combined with several other procedures following massive weight loss:

Lower Body Lift

After significant weight loss, you may be considering improving the shape of you arms. You may also want to contour your abdomen, flanks, buttocks, lower back, and outer thighs. This can often be done with a lower body lift, which involves an incision around the midsection (front and back) to help address loose skin in those areas. The results of this surgery can dramatically improve the look of the waistline after a significant reduction in weight.

Breast Lift (Mastopexy)

With age, weight loss, or pregnancies, breast tissue can sag or droop over time. A breast lift, or mastopexy, can reposition the breast tissue and nipple to create a more youthful look.

Male Breast Reduction for Gynecomastia

Some men may experience changes in their chest after weight loss. This can include excess tissue as well as skin. Gynecomastia correction can help. This often involves Vaser-assisted liposuction and skin reduction.

Buttock Augmentation

The buttocks can lose volume over time. Buttock augmentation, often with fat transfer or fat grafting to the buttock, can help improve the contour.

To schedule a consultation with one of our plastic surgeons to discuss a total body lift in St. Louis, call 314-996-8800, requesting your consultation online, or email us today.