Body Lift in Westport, CT

Yes, Dr. Mahony usually finds that she can get the best contouring results if it's all done in one procedure. Occasionally, there may be a reason to stage the procedures, like if your health, recovery capacity, or specific goals make it safer to have separate surgeries. Dr. Mahony will discuss the right approach for you during your consultation.

We recommend waiting at least one year after reaching your goal weight before having a body lift. This gives your body time to stabilize and ensures that any natural skin retraction has occurred. Waiting also helps minimize the risk of needing additional procedures if you lose more weight after surgery. Dr. Mahony will assess your readiness and guide you on the best timeline.

Unfortunately, there really is no way to spot reduce any trouble areas on the body. And, if you have excess skin from a dramatic weight loss (which sometimes happens after bariatric surgery or weight loss medications like semaglutide or tirzepatide), it can be especially loose and require surgical removal. 

The tightening Dr. Mahony is able to perform in the procedure gives the most desirable result. For patients that have good skin elasticity but fatty tissue under the arm, she sometimes uses liposuction to get the perfect result.

Patients will see a difference in their bodies as soon as they can look at themselves in a mirror after surgery. You may have to wear compression garments for at least a week, which can somewhat obscure the effects of your surgery, so you'll need to be patient. 

As swelling subsides over several weeks, you’ll start to see the improvements. It can take up to two years for the final outcome of your body lift to fully develop.

The incision scars of a body lift remain but typically fade very nicely. Once the incision line has healed, it may be possible to begin a scar treatment program to assist in fading visible scarring.

With age, it is natural to lose some tissue and skin firmness. However, the effects of the body lift typically last indefinitely.

Recovery from a body or arm lift involves some bruising, swelling, and tightness, but most patients find it manageable. Here’s a general recovery timeline:

• Day After Surgery: You’ll be able to shower.
• First 1-2 Weeks: Expect some bruising and swelling, especially if liposuction was part of the procedure. Most patients begin feeling better around the two-week mark.
• 2-3 Weeks Post-Surgery: Avoid bending, lifting, or strenuous activity.
• Time Off Work: Recovery time varies, but most patients take 7-10 days off for a body lift and around 3 days for an arm lift, depending on individual healing.
• 4-6 Weeks Post-Surgery: You can typically resume exercise, heavy lifting, and other strenuous activities around three weeks after an arm lift or four to six weeks after a body lift.

Dr. Mahony will provide specific instructions based on the details of your procedure and personal recovery progress.

We know you’re probably excited to show off your arms in sleeveless shirts, so it’s natural to think about scarring from an upper body lift.

Each patient is unique, but Dr. Mahony generally places the incision on the inside of the arm, which faces your body. It usually extends from the armpit area to the elbow. In rarer cases, it is possible to make the incision under the armpit. 

There are many great ways to care for incisions post-surgery that help to minimize the appearance of the scars. Patients are so thrilled with their new, toned arms that they’re never afraid to show them off, scars or not!

Often, when a person loses such a significant amount of weight that they could benefit from a body lift, there is a minor layer of subcutaneous fat that persists. For this reason, body lift procedures may be performed with liposuction to remove stubborn deposits of fat from the treatment area.

All surgical procedures carry risks. Studies of body lift procedures have indicated a very low rate of complications, such as:

• Anesthesia reaction
• Blood clots
• Excessive bleeding or clotting
• Deep vein thrombosis
• Cardiac and pulmonary complications
• Fat or skin necrosis (tissue death)
• Persistent edema (swelling) or fluid accumulation
• Persistent pain
• Poor wound healing or wound separation
• Recurrent looseness or sagging of skin
• Temporary or permanent change/loss of skin sensation
• Unfavorable scarring and/or skin discoloration
• Unsatisfactory aesthetic results requiring additional surgery

Dr. Mahony carefully evaluates patients’ health and candidacy for body lift surgery, and she makes every effort to keep surgical risks to a minimum. Patients must also carefully follow post-operative instructions to prevent unnecessary complications.

To maintain your body lift results, keep a stable weight by following a healthy diet and regular exercise routine. Stay hydrated, practice good skin care, and avoid smoking, as it can affect skin elasticity and healing. Regular check-ups with your surgeon and following all post-operative care instructions will also help preserve your results for years to come.