BEFORE AND AFTER BODY LIFT SURGERY IN SARASOTA
Consultation With Dr. Sessa
Before undergoing a body lift at Sarasota Surgical Arts, you will meet with Dr. Sessa for an initial consultation. At this appointment, Dr. Sessa will review your medical history, goals and expectations for surgery, and your anatomy. Once he understands the results you want to achieve, he will create a customized surgical plan.
Dr. Sessa will explain the procedure, results you can expect, risks, and benefits. You will have the opportunity to ask any questions, see before and after pictures, and learn more about your options. At the end of the consultation, you will receive a personalized price quote and financing information.
Preparing For Surgery
If you choose to schedule your body lift surgery with Dr. Sessa, you will then have a pre-operative appointment and receive instructions on how to prepare for your procedure. While Dr. Sessa’s directions may vary based on your medical history and other factors, some general ways patients can prepare for surgery include:
- Obtain required medical clearances
- Make arrangements for childcare, a caregiver, ride to and from surgery, and time off work
- Fill prescriptions
- Discontinue certain medications, if possible, at Dr. Sessa’s request
- Eat well leading up to surgery
- Stop smoking
- Avoid medications that may increase bleeding (ibuprofen, aspirin, some types of supplements)
- Do not eat or drink anything for several hours before surgery unless otherwise okayed by Dr. Sessa
Body Lift Surgery
On the day of your body lift in Sarasota, you will come to the ambulatory surgery center at Sarasota Surgical Arts. A member of the team will greet you and let you change into a surgical gown. From here, they will take your vitals and ensure you are fit for surgery. Dr. Sessa will also meet with you to review the surgical plan and make surgical markings.
A licensed anesthesia provider will then place you under general anesthesia. Once asleep, Dr. Sessa will begin your surgery. The incision for a lower body lift starts like a tummy tuck incision with a hip to hip incision along the lower abdomen. This is usually easily concealed with undergarments.
The incision will then wrap around the body. Many body lift procedures involve a complete 360 incision around the abdomen and along the top of the buttocks. Some patients may see somewhat less extensive incisions, but generally, a body lift features a large incision.
Through this incision, Dr. Sessa will remove extra skin, fat, and may repair separated abdominal muscles. He will then pull the remaining skin tight and stitch the incisions to provide a smoother, flatter abdomen and lifted buttocks.
Recovery & Results
A lower body lift typically involves around a month off work. This will depend on your healing process, the extent of the procedure, and what you do. While Dr. Sessa will encourage walking during recovery, you will need to avoid strenuous activities for several weeks, and may not return to your full exercise routine for two to three months. Though, Dr. Sessa will evaluate this during your post-operative appointments.
Some side effects are expected such as bruising, redness, pain, and swelling. Dr. Sessa will provide medications, compression garments, and instructions for treating these side effects. While some residual swelling and redness can last for several weeks, though most uncomfortable side effects should resolve in two to three weeks.
Results will take around nine months to a year to come in. Your skin needs time to heal and settle into its new position. Also, since some swelling can last for several weeks, results typically are considered final after one year. Dr. Sessa will continue to see you throughout your recovery process to monitor your healing and results.
Watch Dr. Sessa discuss just some of the body contouring procedures he performs at Sarasota Surgical Arts.