A body lift in Chicago, also known as a circumferential tummy tuck, is a post-weight loss body contouring procedure designed to help men and women who feel frustrated with excess skin and fatty tissue in the tummy, flanks, thighs and buttocks. By restoring slimmer contours to your post-weight loss figure, you can better showcase your weight loss success and feel more confident about your slimmer body shape.
Dr. Otto Placik is widely regarded as one of the best body lift specialists in Chicago. A board certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Placik performs post-weight loss cosmetic surgery like body lifts as well as a range of other body contouring procedures to help men and women of the Chicago area look and feel their best at all stages of the weight loss journey.
Please contact us online or call our Chicago or Arlington Heights plastic surgery offices for more information on body lifts, including prices.
Dr. Placik is a board certified plastic surgeon in Chicago and an active member of The American Society of Plastic Surgeons. He received his medical degree from Northwestern University where he also completed residencies in general and plastic and reconstructive surgery.
Read more >>Large amounts of body weight can stretch the skin irreversibly, leaving men and women who have undergone dramatic weight loss with lingering folds of skin and fatty tissue. These concerns can not only lead to feelings of self-consciousness, but ongoing struggles with skin irritation and limited wardrobe options can also detract from feeling satisfied with your weight loss success. While proud and eager to celebrate the achievement of weight loss, many individuals are frustrated with the sequelae of loose skin and inability to wear the outfit that shows off the results of their efforts. Additionally, abdominal muscles that have separated as a result of excess body weight can’t be restored to their original, tighter position with exercise alone.
The best body lift results are seen when patients have reached their goal weight, whether through a healthier lifestyle or bariatric surgery, and want to improve the appearance of remaining skin folds, small amounts of fatty tissue, and loose abdominal muscles.
The exact approach Dr. Placik takes depends on your individual needs, but in general, a body lift in Chicago consists of variations of three procedures combined into one surgery or staged to accommodate desired goals:
While a body lift typically includes aspects of all three of the above procedures, Dr. Placik’s approach will depend largely upon your cosmetic goals and areas of need. A body lift can be performed as a solo surgery, or in combination with upper body post-weight loss body contouring procedures.
A body lift is performed under general anesthesia either as an inpatient or outpatient procedure, depending on Dr. Placik’s recommendation. Patients normally require 1 to 2 weeks of downtime, followed by a gradual recovery period of avoiding certain movements and strenuous activities. Dr. Placik will give you detailed post-operative care instructions, including whether to use a compression garment and any specific activities to avoid.
The best candidates for a body lift have undergone dramatic weight loss, either through bariatric surgery or lifestyle changes, and want to enhance their weight loss success. Candidates should also be of good overall physical and mental health, and have realistic expectations about their results. Although a body lift can address excess skin and fat, men and women considering a body lift should be at or near their ideal weight prior to undergoing surgery, as the procedure is not a substitute for weight loss. Candidates should optimally have a BMI of 30 or less. Patients do require adequate nutrition and protein intake for satisfactory healing and should not be on a restricted diet at the time of surgery or during the recovery phase. Smoking is associated with an increased complication rate.
During your consultation with Dr. Placik, you can discuss your goals for body lift surgery as well as any other appearance concerns you may have. Dr. Placik will also perform a brief physical examination to help determine candidacy, and let you know if he recommends any additional procedures. You will be advised to refrain from tobacco and alcohol for a certain length of time before and after surgery to ensure a safer surgery and quicker recovery. In many instances, not all of the desired procedures can be accomplished in one operation and options for staging or combining surgeries will be reviewed.
As with all surgeries, the scars from a body lift are permanent. However, Dr. Placik takes special care to place incisions in discreet locations. Most patients report that their scars fade dramatically within the first year following surgery. Typically, body lift patients feel so pleased with their results that any resulting scars seem like a worthy trade-off.
The cost of your Chicago body lift will depend on the approach that Dr. Placik takes during surgery, as well as whether any additional procedures were included. The total expenses will be inclusive of Dr. Placik’s surgical fee, anesthesiologist fees, and the use of the surgical center. Dr. Placik and his staff strive to provide value to each patient and can advise you on flexible cosmetic surgery financing options to help make your body lift procedure even more affordable.
As with any surgical procedure, a body lift has some potential risks, such as bleeding, infection or scarring. Although rare, seroma can result from a build-up of fluid in the abdominal cavity after a tummy tuck. This can be controlled with the use of post-surgical drains. Other complications could include blood clots, numbness, hematoma, nerve damage, or reactions to anesthesia.
Dr. Placik promises you his best possible care and attention. If you would like to schedule a private consultation to learn more about body lifts, please contact us online or call us at 847-398-1660.
To meet with double board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Otto J. Placik, you can request a consultation online or call our Arlington Heights office at 847-398-1660 or our Chicago office at 312-787-5313 to schedule your appointment. We look forward to meeting with you and helping you look your very best.
Disclaimer: Consumer information is not shared with third parties for marketing purposes.
Please take a moment to rate your experience with our team.
