What is a Body Lift Surgery?

Los Angeles Body Lift SurgeryBody lift or Circumferential lipectomy is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen,flanks, hips and back and to tighten the muscles of the abdominal wall.The best candidates for body lift would be women or men who have large fat deposits or loose, sagging skin secondary to massive weight loss as a result of diet, exercise or bariatric surgery such as gastric bypass or Lap-Band procedures.

This procedure has also been used for moderate to severely obese patients who do not want to undergo weight loss prior to surgery.This procedure will also result in back, lateral thigh and buttocks lift with dramatic result. See before Body lift are performed on an outpatient basis or inpatient in a hospital and general anaesthesia is used. Body Lift usually takes two to four hours.We place a pain-pump into the wounds to continually deliver numbing medicine such as lidocaine for the first 3-4 days.

This will result in relatively pain-free postoperative period. Patient continue to supplement this with oral pain medicine.There are often two to three drains which are usually removed after the total drainage has reached 25 cc in 24 hours. In a majority of centers throughout the U.S.A., these procedures are done in a hospital with several days of inpatient stay.

The Outpatient Setting

We have performed these procedures, whether they are single or combined, as an outpatient procedure with excellent results. We believe, in the out patient setting, the patient is NOT in contact with hospital-born infection, they are walking on the night of surgery and being with family and friends, faster and less complicated recovery is achieved. Because any surgical procedure carries certain risks and possible complications, you should discuss the procedure in detail with Dr. Tavoussi. After surgery, most people return to their jobs in three weeks. The results of body lift are usually long lasting if you keep your weight under control and exercise.

The resulting scar is situated very low and can be covered with underwear or  swimsuit. See before & after pictures. Body lift can be performed with breast lift and augmentation.The total time for the combined procedures are approximately 3-5 hours. We place all patients who are having abdominoplasty, extended abdominoplasty, body lift ( Circumferential lipectomy ) and breast lift on multivitamins, vitamin c, zinc supplement and Arnica MontanaX30 at least 2-3 weeks before and after surgery to enhance the healing process.

What is Bariatric Surgery?

Bariatric surgery, or weight loss surgery, is a type of procedure performed on people who are dangerously obese, for the purpose of losing weight. Long-term studies show the procedures cause significant long-term loss of weight, recovery from diabetes, improvement in cardiovascular risk factors, and a reduction in mortality of 23% to 40%. This weight loss is usually achieved by reducing the size of the stomach with an implanted medical device (gastric banding) or through removal of a portion of the stomach (sleeve gastrectomy or biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch) or by resecting and re-routing the small intestines to a small stomach pouch (gastric bypass surgery). With massive weight loss in a short time skin often does not shrink well.

What Happens Following Weight Loss Surgery?

Following the significant amount of weight loss after a Gastric Bypass Surgery, a person can be left with a tremendous amount of excess, hanging skin throughout many areas of the body. The lack of elasticity of the remaining skin often causes excessive amounts of skin to accumulate and hang in various areas, including the face, neck, breasts, upper and lower abdomen, arm and/or armpit (axilla), back, buttocks, thighs, legs, and calves. This excess skin also can cause skin irritation, skin breakdown and infection. Dr. Tavoussi performs all cosmetic procedures required to achieve the patient’s desired goal after massive weight loss. Such procedures include facelift, Tummy Tuck, Breast Augmentation, Breast Lift, Arm Lift, Liposuction and more.

  • “My journey in finding a qualified Plastic Surgeon who was familiar with the complications and emotional results of a post-op Bariatric patient was an arduous one. I found Dr. Tavoussi after an extensive search led me to one of his informative and FREE evening forums.

    I was immediately impressed. He was not disinterested in my WLS issues (as so many before had been), but instead really listened to my worries and my dreams – dreams that could only be possible with the help of a skilled and knowledgeable plastic surgeon. I had a Arm Lift procedure three weeks ago (skin removed on my arms) – and already have plans to have a breast reduction/lift and tummy tuck in 30 more lbs or so. Meanwhile, this simple procedure has already made me feel better about myself, and Dr. Tavoussi’s  humor, intelligence and obvious caring made all the difference.

    I was not a “typical” plastic surgery candidate, and if anything, he and his awesome staff made me feel even more important than I could have expected. I cannot say enough about my WONDERFUL relationship with this great man. Thank you.”

    Rachel M
    Jan 2009
  • “Eight and one half months ago I had a VSG and lost a significant amount of weight which left me with the usual baggy skin, etc. Smoking, age and continually remaining outside without sunscreen further contributed to the problem. When I looked in the mirror I saw my 88 year-old Mimi’s face looking back at me.

    I chose Dr. Tavoussi and OC Cosmetic surgery Clinique to perform the surgery after reading reviews from this boards and interviewing another surgeon. Pre-operatively, Dr. Tavoussi devoted much time to answering my questions about procedures, explaining risks in detail and describing my post-op care. His down-to earth style and funny  one-liners created a fun and comfortable environment. In addition to Dr. Tavoussi’s sense of humor, he maintains a delightful and helpful staff.

    As I have a mentally and physically challenged adult daughter, scheduling and obtaining care for her during this time posed some unusual constraints. The staff and Dr. Tavoussi graciously worked to arrange the surgery when it was most convenient for me. Dr. Tavoussi performed a face lift, neck lift, upper and lower eyelid surgery and brow lift. The results exceeded my expectations. I have been please and others have been complimentary of the results even though I am only four weeks post-op. The minimal pain I experienced was well controlled with medications and follow-up care has been as thorough as the pre-op care. Dr. Tavoussi is a true artist, dedicated to improving the looks and lives of his patients. Thank you.”

    Boo Julian
    Nov 2008
  • Dr. Tavoussi is a GOD send to anyone that has had bariatric surgery and now faces the difficult task of removing excess skin and correcting other defects associated with weight loss. Dr. Tavoussi worked with me to put together the best plan for me to get everything accomplished that I felt needed to be corrected on my new, smaller body.

    I never felt rushed while with him and he never seemed distracted, like he had other things to do. His office staff is the best I have ever dealt with!!! Courteous, kind, and understanding. I recommend Dr. Tavoussi to anyone in the continental US that wants their surgery to be spectacular. I would be more than happy to answer questions regarding Dr. Tavoussi regarding my procedure from a patient point of view.”

    Suzan T.
    Dec 2009