Tighten Skin & Boost Your Confidence

For our patients in Orange County, body lift surgery can be life-changing. These procedures can help patients with a variety of issues involving excess skin, particularly if that extra tissue is widely distributed around the body. As a highly experienced body-contouring surgeon, Dr. Tenley Lawton can help transform the bodies of patients with significant excess tissue. 

What is a Body Lift?

A body lift surgery improves the shape of the body’s silhouette and tone by treating the underlying tissue that supports our fat and skin. Improving this tissue can help lessen the effects of gravity on fat and skin, and an experienced body lift surgeon, such as Dr. Lawton, can shape the overall contours of the body to produce a more youthful figure. Body lift surgery also removes excess sagging fat and skin, which often is caused by poor tissue elasticity. Dr. Lawton performs body lifts in her Orange County surgery center. 

Patients typically have very personal reasons for choosing any plastic surgery procedure, and a body lift is no exception. Generally, patients interested in a body lift want to remove or diminish areas of excess skin or fat. There’s no single cause for this excess tissue — many factors can contribute to the development of extra skin or fat. Many patients seeking a body lift are interested in the procedure as a way to complete a weight-loss transformation. When someone loses a significant amount of weight, they can be left with a significant amount of excess tissue. That’s because the skin is no longer capable of “bouncing back” into place — it has lost elasticity through the normal process of aging. This excess skin can leave patients to feel as though their transformation is incomplete, or even that their weight-loss experience was a bust. By removing that excess skin, patients often feel more positive about their weight-loss journey.

Consultations Available Now

The first step is to schedule an in-person consultation with Dr. Lawton or one of our trusted providers at Tenley K Lawton M.D. in Newport Beach, CA. Simply fill out the form on this page and we will reach out to you promptly to schedule your appointment.

Am I a Candidate?

Because a body lift is primarily intended to mitigate large amounts of excess skin, those who have significant extra tissue across a large portion of their bodies are good candidates for this type of body contouring. However, the decision to get a Body Lift procedure is complex; you should discuss all of your options with Dr. Lawton before moving forward. A body lift might be right for your situation if you:

  • Have more than an inch of “pinchable” excess skin over a large portion of your body (many patients will have much more than an inch).
  • Are in generally good health.
  • Have completed your initial weight-loss transformation and are at a generally stable weight (fluctuations in weight after your procedure can diminish your results).
  • Are open to considering liposuction to remove stubborn pockets of fat resistant to diet and exercise.
  • Notice your excess skin interfering with daily activities, such as exercise.
  • Feel self-conscious about the way your excess skin looks or feels.
  • Feel that a body lift will help complete your individual weight-loss journey.

For the best results, a body lift may be combined or augmented with other procedures, depending on a patient’s particular situation. During your consultation with Dr. Lawton, you may discuss other procedures, such as tummy tuck, liposuction, or even something more individualized, such as an arm lift. You also will be asked to discuss your general medical history, the desired final outcome and any other issues you wish to address.

How Does It Work?

Body lift procedures are usually broken down into the lower, mid, or upper body. Excess skin affects each patient in a unique way, however, so the precise location of your body lift may change depending on where it will be most effective. Dr. Lawton will discuss which approach is best to achieve the results you want. Weeks prior to the procedure, Dr. Lawton will assess your areas of need during your consultation in her Newport Beach office. Body lift surgery may include:

  • The abdomen, sides and lower back area
  • The buttocks, to correct shape and unevenness
  • The groin area, which may be sagging into the inner thigh
  • Thighs, including the inner, outer or posterior thigh, or all parts of the thigh

 

During the procedure, two long incisions will be made around the abdomen. These are designed to remove an “apron” of excess skin. How much skin is removed will depend on your particular situation. Whatever the case, the two incisions will then be joined and sutured together. This has the effect of smoothing and tightening the skin across a wide area. Dr. Lawton’s body lift patients undergo surgery at the Newport Beach Surgery Center across the street from Hoag Hospital in Orange County, California. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia.

Real Patients Real Stories

Results*

You should start to notice the benefits of your body lift procedure almost immediately. However, it may take several months in order for all swelling to subside, and for your “final” results to become more evident. You should see at least some of the following benefits from your body lift procedure:

  • Smoother skin around the treated area — a body lift can help reduce dimpling or otherwise inconsistent skin surfaces (cellulite).
  • Fewer lines and wrinkles.
  • Substantially less excess skin — a tighter, firmer-looking abdomen.
  • Improved confidence and self-esteem.
  • The feeling of having finally completed your weight-loss journey.
  • Improved fitness (you might find it easier to exercise without excess skin).
  • More freedom in your wardrobe options.

Recovery*

Because a body lift is an extensive plastic surgery procedure, the recovery time tends to be significant. Most patients can expect a recovery period of about four to six weeks (most patients are advised to wait six to eight weeks before engaging in strenuous activity, such as exercise). During the first two days, patients often will have small, thin drainage tubes placed beneath the skin to limit swelling. After two days, most surgical dressings are removed and patients are given a compression bandage to wear. This compression bandage must be worn at all times (except when bathing or showering) until Dr. Lawton instructs otherwise. Much about your body lift recovery will depend on the way your unique body heals. Dr. Lawton provides every patient with individualized recovery instructions. By following these instructions, you can help ensure your comfort and protect the longevity of your results.