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BODY SCULPTING
BODY LIFT
  1. Houston Plastic Surgery Texas
    2.  | Body Lift in Houston, TX

Body Lift
Houston, TX

Losing weight can help you achieve the attractive body you have always wanted. But often, flaps of excess tissue on the arms, abdomen, back, and thighs distract from the positive improvement. These adverse changes may also be caused by aging or pregnancy. Body lift plastic surgery aims to help patients who have sagging or stretched skin attain a youthful and attractive body contour.

Plastic surgeons work to eliminate excess skin from problem areas, revealing a smoother appearance that is free of cellulite and other imperfections. Many individuals who undergo this cosmetic treatment feel more confident in their body appearance.

Houston, TX plastic surgeon Dr. Christopher Balinger offers body lift procedures to patients in Houston, Conroe, and surrounding Texas communities. The surgeon understands that your best self is connected to your self-confidence. Working with a team of experienced clinicians, Dr. Christopher goes out of his way to make sure that each patient is comfortable, safe, and happy with their procedure outcome. He uses state of the art equipment and advanced surgical methods to achieve the best result while minimizing the risk of side effects such as scarring.

Who is a Candidate?

A body lift procedure, also referred to as body contouring surgery, is a cosmetic treatment that aims to rejuvenate the appearance of the torso, thighs, hips, and other areas of the body. This procedure is often performed after losing a significant amount of weight. You may be an ideal candidate for this procedure if:

  • You are in good physical and emotional health
  • You are unhappy about excess skin after losing a lot of weight or undergoing bariatric surgery
  • You have chafing, rashes, or infections resulting from overhanging skin 
  • You are not overweight and are close to your ideal body weight 
  • You have a positive outlook and realistic expectations about the outcome of this procedure

When you visit Dr. Balinger for your first body lift consultation, the surgeon will listen to you and examine your legs before letting you know whether this surgical procedure is for you. Body contouring is a highly individualized procedure. For this reason, Dr. Christopher recommends that you have this treatment out of your own choice, not because someone else wants you to.

Benefits of a body lift 

Body contouring surgery can help alleviate many cosmetic issues resulting from weight loss, age, or pregnancy. Some key benefits of this cosmetic procedure are:

  • Expanded choice of clothing 
  • Enhanced self-image and sense of confidence 
  • Rejuvenated and more youthful appearance 
  • Increased comfort while exercising or engaging in other physical activities 
  • Get rid of skin folds to reveal a firmer, toned, and smoother appearance that accentuates your weight loss success 
  • Eliminate health issues such as rashes or infections by getting rid of excess, sagging skin 

Dr. Christopher Balinger will outline specific benefits that you may attain from your body lift. Keep in mind that different patients have unique needs, and individual results may vary from one person to another.

Types of Body Lift

Dr. Balinger has a number of body lift methods that he can use to suit the patient’s requirements and goals of the surgery.

Upper body lift

This type of body lift focuses on contouring the upper top half of the body. The plastic surgeon may work on your arms, fat rolls, or breasts to achieve an enhanced appearance. The precise problem areas that are addressed can vary from one person to the other. For women, an upper body lift usually includes surgery to improve the appearance of sagging breasts.

Mid body lift

While working out can help get rid of fat tissue, it usually does not eliminate loose skin that is left behind after fat is gone. For people who lack good skin elasticity, there is no other option for addressing this excess skin. A mid body lift will be needed to contour areas around the abdomen and lower back. Mid lift body lifts may be performed along with a lower body lift to address multiple aesthetic issues.

Lower body lift

This is also referred to as a circumferential lift. It focuses on lower body areas such as the hips, thighs, and buttocks. While popular with patients, a lower body lift is also one of the most expensive of the three types of body lift. In addition to getting rid of loose skin, this surgery also lifts the bttocks to result in a proportionate and attractive lower body appearance.
Dr. Christopher Balinger is uniquely positioned to recommend the best body lift procedure method for you. The surgeon will be happy to discuss the suitability of each approach during your consultation visit at his Houston plastic surgery office.

Prepare for Your Surgery

Once Dr. Balinger creates a customized treatment plan for you, the surgeon will let you know how to prepare for the surgery. You will be asked to stop taking some medication and herbal supplements that can increase your risk of bleeding. Smoking is also forbidden in the weeks before the surgery because it can increase the risk of complications and impair healing. The surgeon will let you know what to do on the night before the surgery, and what supplies you need to have in place for a smooth recovery.

Your Surgical Experience

Body lift surgery is usually an outpatient procedure that is performed at Dr. Balinger’s in-office operating room or an accredited surgical facility. This surgery is usually performed in three steps.

1
Administer Anesthesia
The surgeon’s anesthesiologist will administer either general anesthesia or intravenous sedation in order to ensure your comfort and safety throughout the treatment. Feel free to discuss the choice of anesthesia with the surgeon during one of your pre-op consultation visits.

2

Create Incision
Depending on the type of body lift being performed, the surgeon will create an incision at the appropriate area and use it to remove loose skin.
3
Close Incision
Once all the desired contouring has been completed, the surgeon will close the incision using tapes, sutures, clips, or adhesives. The treatment area will then be bandaged to protect it.
The duration of surgery can vary from 2 hours all the way to 8 hours depending on the specifics of the procedure. Immediately after the surgery, you will be placed in an observation room where Dr. Balinger’s team monitors your vitals before you are allowed to go home for recovery. Some patients may be asked to stay for a night or two before they are discharged from the facility.

Recovery After your Body Lift Surgery

How long it takes to recover after body contouring varies from one person to the other based on the type of surgery and the patient’s unique healing ability. Dr. Balinger will ask that you move around as soon as you are able to in order to promote proper blood flow. Many patients experience bruising, swelling, and pain in the first few weeks. You will be given pain medication to help alleviate discomfort, as well as antibiotics to prevent infections. You can expect to resume normal activities after about 4-6 weeks. However, heavy lifting and strenuous exercise are prohibited until you get the go-ahead from the surgeon. Make sure to follow the surgeon’s post-op instructions in order to ensure a speedy recovery. Dr. Balinger’s office is available to answer your questions and provide the support you need throughout the recovery duration.

Plan your Procedure in Houston Texas

The cost of body contouring surgery can vary dramatically based on the extensiveness of the procedure. Most of Dr. Balinger’s body lift patients can however expect to pay as low as $8,500 for this treatment. Health insurers typically do not cover the cost of body lift surgery because it is considered to be an elective cosmetic procedure. During your consultation visit with Dr. Balinger, the surgeon will provide a cost estimate based on a personalized treatment plan developed for you. The surgeon offers financing options for his patients in Houston, Conroe, and surrounding TX areas.

Meet the Surgeon

Christopher Balinger, MD, brings keen professionalism to the operating table. With each patient, the surgeon creates a highly customized plan to achieve the desired procedure outcome while working to eliminate or minimize the risk of scarring and other side effects. Dr. Balinger is uniquely skilled to perform body lift procedures and a host of other cosmetic surgeries. He works with a team of highly qualified support staff who are committed to the safety and well being of their patients. If you are looking for the best plastic surgeon in Houston for body lift HTX, get in touch with Dr. Balinger’s office today.

$
Average Cost
$8,500 and up
$
Procedure Time
2 – 8 Hours
$
Recovery Time
4 – 6 Weeks
$
Insurance
Not Covered
If you have excess skin and fat over a large portion of your upper and lower body, you may be a good candidate for a body and thigh lift. Dr. Balinger offers a body and thigh lift for men and women in Houston, Conroe, and the surrounding areas of Texas.
Frequently Asked Questions

What is a body and thigh lift?

A body and thigh lift is a plastic surgery that is recommended for men and women who have extra fat and loose skin over most of the upper or lower body, including the thighs. The procedure is most often recommended for men and women who have lost a significant amount of weight.

How much does body and thigh lift cost?

The average cost of a body and thigh lift is $8,000 to $15,000. Your cost is based upon the surgical plan that is developed during your personal consultation. We offer free initial consultations at our offices in Houston and Conroe, as well as financing options for our patients.

What are the benefits of a body and thigh lift?

The primary benefit of a body and thigh lift is to restore a toned appearance to the upper or lower body. A thigh lift may also be recommended for women who want to have a thigh gap, but have excess fat on their inner thighs.

Do you know how to get a thigh gap?

Dr. Balinger cautions women who consider plastic surgery to achieve a thigh gap. The space between your thighs is not necessarily an indication of how fit you are, as hip size and other anatomical aspects determine the size of your thigh gap more than any other factor. If you have extra fat on your inner or outer thighs, a thigh lift can help.

How is an upper and lower body lift performed?

An upper and lower body lift requires extensive incisions that are needed to pull the skin taut over the body and remove any excess. Dr. Balinger may use liposuction to remove smaller pockets of fat.

How are inner and outer thigh lifts performed?

Dr. Balinger uses innovative techniques for inner and outer thigh lifts, and the placement of the incision varies based on patient needs. Once the incisions are made, he pulls the tissue taunt over the thighs and trims away any excess. Liposuction may be used if you have pockets of fat on your inner or outer thighs.

What is recovery like after a body and thigh lift?

Recovery from a body and thigh lift can be extensive, and some patients are required to stay overnight in the hospital for monitoring. During the consultation, Dr. Balinger explains what to expect after your body and thigh lift, including recovery and aftercare. Please arrange to have a friend or family member stay with you for the first one to two weeks.

How long will body and thigh lift results last?

Managing your weight is paramount to the results of your body and thigh lift. We recommend that you spend at least one year following a healthy regimen of nutrition and exercise before you have a body and thigh lift. Continuing with this type of lifestyle may help the results of your body and thigh lift last for many years. Aging, pregnancy, and weight fluctuations will likely have adverse effects on the results of your body and thigh lift.
Dr. Christopher Balinger offers body and thigh lifts for men and women in Houston, Conroe, and the nearby communities in Texas. Contact us today to schedule a free body and thigh lift consultation at our office in Houston or our office in Conroe.