Losing a large amount of weight, be it from diet and exercise or a medical procedure such as gastric bypass surgery, is something to celebrate. And with the proliferation of weight loss drugs like semaglutide injections that finally make it possible for patients to lose weight, we’re seeing more people who experience an unfortunate side-effect of rapid weight loss: excess skin. Body lift surgery is a procedure that can treat this issue, revealing the toned and slimmed contours that many weight loss patients desire to show off.

Some may think when patients stop taking semaglutide, they can gain their weight back, reversing their hard work. Happily, many of Dr. Halpern’s body lift patients not only keep weight off but also lose additional weight. Dr. Halpern believes this is because after having a body lift, patients like what they see in the mirror. It puts a smile on their face and motivates them to maintain their results.

What Is a Body Lift?

A body lift is a specialized body contouring procedure, or combination of procedures, designed to eliminate sagging skin and tighten underlying tissues after massive weight loss. Dr. Halpern routinely performs this procedure on post-massive weight loss patients, as loose skin is a common effect of rapidly losing a significant amount of weight.

In addition, Dr. Halpern incorporates his Finesse Technique® into his body lift procedures. This technique helps to dramatically reduce pain after surgery. It is not uncommon for patients to take minimal or no pain medication after their body lift. With the Finesse Technique®, recovery tends to be shorter and less painful than recovery from a body lift using traditional techniques.

What Are the Benefits of a Body Lift?

After surgery, patients tend to have better self-esteem and like what they see in the mirror. Instead of having rolls of skin hanging off their body, they get to see the results of their weight loss journey. These are some of Dr. Halpern’s happiest patients. After surgery, body lift patients can wear clothes that accentuate their shape, including bikinis, shorts, and halter tops. More benefits of a body lift include:

  • Boosted confidence
  • Patients can enjoy their weight loss results
  • More clothing options
  • Reduced discomfort from skin chafing or rashes

Beautiful woman in a dress

Am I a Candidate for a Body Lift?

Body lifts are available for two distinct kinds of patients. The first is the patient who may have had gastric bypass surgery or another weight loss technique to lose a massive amount of weight. Generally, this kind of patient, after losing weight, requires body lift surgery on various parts of the body to remove excess skin. The second kind of patient who needs body lift surgery might require surgery in one particular area but not all over. This may be due to genetics or weight loss. Ideal candidates for a body lift should also:

  • Want to eliminate loose skin
  • Have moderate to severe skin sagging in multiple areas of the body
  • Are generally in good health
  • Are close to their ideal body weight
  • Have reasonable expectations for results
  • Are nonsmokers or are willing to quit

If you think you might be a candidate for a body lift, call us today at (813) 872-2696 or fill out our contact form to request a complimentary consultation with Dr. Halpern.

What Are My Body Lift Options?

Body lifts are commonly performed as combination procedures, meaning Dr. Halpern will perform more than one procedure in a single surgery. This usually cuts down on recovery time and only requires one bout of anesthesia, which is very appealing to some patients. Of course, Dr. Halpern only combines procedures when it is safe to do so. He will discuss your options during your consultation, but below are some possible options.

Arm Lift

The upper arms commonly see a significant amount of sagging skin, sometimes called “bat wings.” This greatly detracts from all the hard work you put into losing weight! An arm lift treats sagging skin from the elbow up to the armpit. After an arm lift, many of Dr. Halpern’s patients feel confident wearing tank tops, sleeveless dresses, and other clothing options that show off their newly contoured arms.

Buttocks Lift

Dr. Halpern lifts sagging skin and tissues from the buttocks before removing the excess. This gives patients a more youthful contour to the lower back and buttock area.

Thigh Lift

A thigh lift incision may be located over the upper thigh (groin area), on the interior of each thigh, or a combination of the two. These incision methods allow Dr. Halpern to conceal the scar more easily. Some patients may benefit from treatment of the outer thighs instead. In any case, a thigh lift can help make the body look more cohesive and natural.

Abdominoplasty

A tummy tuck is another excellent choice for a body lift. In obese people, the abdominal wall can become stretched, and after weight loss, it often does not bounce back. Dr. Halpern invented the Malibu Tummy Tuck®, an expert approach to tummy tuck surgery that leaves the stomach looking younger and smoother. It’s no wonder many patients love to show off their tummy after surgery! During the procedure, Dr. Halpern surgically tightens the abdominals for a stronger foundation before removing excess skin and fat.

Why Should I Choose Dr. Halpern for a Body Lift in Tampa?

Dr. Joshua Halpern has extensive knowledge and experience performing body lifts in these areas. He incorporates the Finesse Technique®—his own invention—which results in less post operative pain, less bleeding, and an easier recovery compared to traditional techniques.

What Can I Expect From the Body Lift Procedure?

By nature, a body lift is customized, so each patient will have a different group of procedures and techniques used in their surgical plan. Dr. Halpern will walk you through all the options during your consultation to give you results you absolutely love.

You will likely have your procedures performed together; in some cases, you might need two surgeries for your safety. The specifics of the surgery will depend on your procedures and the techniques Dr. Halpern uses.

What Is Body Lift Recovery Like?

Largely thanks to Dr. Halpern’s Finesse Technique®, recovery tends to be a lot faster, and post operative pain is substantially reduced compared to body lift surgery performed using traditional techniques.

Dr. Halpern will give you precise recovery instructions that detail the specific procedures you undergo, and our office will be available to assist you with any questions you may have.

Will My Body Lift Results Be Permanent?

A body lift can provide long-lasting results that you can easily maintain for years to come with proper diet and exercise. Continued weight fluctuations can absolutely cause your skin to stretch again, affecting your results. And, of course, the natural aging process will continue.

Interested in a Body Lift in Tampa, FL?

Don’t let loose skin detract from your thinner self. A body lift can help you reveal your sculpted contours. Call us today at (813) 872-2696 or fill out our contact form to schedule a complimentary consultation with our board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Joshua Halpern.

Memberships

and Privileges

Dr. Halpern is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, The Aesthetic Society, and International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.


associations

Our Location

Contact Information

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JOSHUA A. HALPERN, MD, PA
Cosmetic Plastic Surgery

4214 N. Habana Ave.
Tampa, FL 33607
(813) 872-2696
(800) 963-8483

Out-of-Town

Traveling Patients

out-of-town

Dr. Halpern has operated on patients from many countries and almost every state in the U.S. Some of these countries are:

Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Columbia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Mexico, Poland, Puerto Rico, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, and Vietnam.

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