Body Lift Surgery

Before you undergo any cosmetic surgery procedure at Karidis Clinic, you will have a consultation and a pre-operative assessment with your plastic surgeon. They will listen carefully to your concerns and what you expect to achieve and discuss which procedure, or combination of procedures, is appropriate.

At this stage, they will also ensure you are fully aware of the potential risks and complications inherent in that specific procedure and explain to you what you can expect immediately after surgery, throughout the recovery process, and when you will likely see the final results.

During the pre-operative assessment, the surgeon may take measurements of the area to be operated on and assess your skin tissue quality and the degree of skin laxity. The position of the incisions will also be decided upon.

A full medical history will be taken to ensure you are fit and well and can undergo surgery at this time.

After the initial consultation, there will be a two-week ‘cooling-off’ period before you can decide to proceed with surgery. You are welcome to return for further consultations with your Karidis Clinic surgeon, free of charge, if you have more questions.

If you make the decision to proceed with surgery, you’ll be given advice on how best to prepare for your operation, and you will have a dedicated Patient Coordinator who can answer any queries you may have.

Any pre-surgery tests can occur at the Hospital of St John & St Elizabeth, a leading London private hospital where Karidis Clinic is based. The hospital has recently built a new wing including a diagnostic department with the latest X-ray, MRI, CT and ultrasound technology.

We advise patients to stop smoking as soon as possible as nicotine acts as a vasoconstrictor, which impedes the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the surgical site. This can slow down healing, increase the chance of infection and even cause tissue to die. Smoking also increases the risks of a general anaesthetic, and smokers are more likely to suffer ill effects from an anaesthetic.

You will also be advised when to discontinue taking aspirin or other blood-thinning medication in advance of your operation. You will be asked to fast six hours before surgery.

All Karidis Clinic procedures are performed at the Hospital of St John & St Elizabeth. When you arrive, you’ll be greeted and taken to your stylish and luxurious private room with its spacious ensuite bathroom.

The nursing team will take your blood pressure and relevant vitals, and you will see your Karidis Clinic surgeon, who will make the final mark-ups. Our anaesthetist will also visit you.

Clinical photography will be taken to assist in your care and to enable clinical assessments to be made. These become part of your confidential medical record. These include photographs of the operation site and any distinguishing features and will be taken pre-op and post-op. 

Your procedure will be performed under a general anaesthetic, and once the surgeon has sutured the incision site, you will be taken to a specialist recovery room.

Once the hospital nursing team has ensured your recovery is complete, you will be taken to your hospital room for your overnight stay. The hospital nursing team will be on hand throughout the night, and you will be fitted with compression stockings and a compression device if required.

The following day, you will be visited by your Karidis Clinic surgeon or nurse and then discharged into the care of a friend or family member by the hospital nursing staff.

The pain and discomfort experienced after surgery are unique to the individual patient and the extent of their procedure. However, it should start to subside in the first week and should be easily managed with over-the-counter painkillers.

If necessary, you’ll be advised to wear a specially designed surgical support garment for approximately six weeks after surgery to support you during the healing process.

Depending on the nature of your job, you can usually expect to be able to return to work and normal activities between one to two weeks.

You’ll be given a comprehensive plan for the recovery process, including dates for your cast or suture removal and your check-ups with your Karidis Clinic surgeon. However, we are always on hand throughout this period, and you have access to our dedicated surgical nurse 24/7 if you have any concerns.

Individuals who experience excess skin around their abdomen, hips and lower back after substantial weight loss may qualify as suitable candidates for a body lift. This could be a result of bariatric surgery, gastric sleeve, childbirth or disciplined dieting. Additionally, to minimise the risk of complications, ideal candidates are close to their target body weight and maintain a BMI below 25. Good overall health without significant medical conditions is also essential. Finally, all potential patients must have a thorough comprehension of the procedure and recovery process, as body lift surgery is a substantial undertaking.

Body lift surgery is very safe when it’s performed by a skilled and experienced plastic surgeon in an accredited surgical facility. Like any surgical procedure, it carries some inherent risks, such as infection, bleeding and anaesthesia-related complications. However, individuals should speak to our qualified surgeons about their medical history prior to their surgery and carefully follow all pre and post-operative instructions to ensure a safe and successful outcome.

Body lift surgery involves extensive surgical incisions for the removal of loose skin and fat. While all incisions leave scars initially, these typically become flatter and less noticeable over time. Our surgeons will also strategically place these incisions within natural skin folds to minimise their visibility. We may also recommend creams for your scars to help improve their appearance.

The body lift procedure is a comprehensive surgical intervention designed to address excess skin and fat around the abdomen, hips and lower back. Under general anaesthesia, a circumferential incision is made, encircling the lower abdomen and extending to the back. Excess skin and fat are then meticulously removed, allowing for contouring and reshaping of the treated areas. In some cases, underlying abdominal muscles are tightened and repaired, and liposuction can also be used. After these adjustments, the incisions are carefully closed with deep sutures to hold your new shape. That said, the procedure is highly individualised to meet each patient’s unique needs and goals.

The duration of a body lift procedure varies based on the specific type of surgery, the extent of tissue removal and whether you require liposuction. Typically, a body lift ranges from three to five hours. However, in certain situations, it may be advisable to divide the procedure into multiple sessions to enhance safety. At Karidis, we try to avoid prolonged procedure times, as these are linked to an elevated risk of complications, making staged surgeries a potential alternative to mitigate such risks.

Yes, a body lift can often be combined with other cosmetic procedures to achieve more comprehensive aesthetic enhancements. The procedures that complement this surgery best include a breast augmentation or reduction, liposuction, arm lift and thigh lift. However, the decision to combine procedures should be made in consultation with one of our consultant plastic surgeons. They will assess your overall health, surgical goals and recovery considerations to determine the most suitable approach for safe and effective results.