Body Lift

The body lift (or lower body lift) procedure is designed to lift and shape the midsection by removing localized fat, trimming away excess skin, lifting and tightening lax muscles in the abdomen, waist, flanks, thighs, and buttocks. ⁽¹⁾ This treatment is often sought out to address the changes that occur after significant weight loss or aging. For many, this procedure can help reclaim confidence after undergoing significant weight loss.

Dr. Elie Levine and Dr. Jody Levine of Plastic Surgery & Dermatology of NYC are among New York’s leading cosmetic experts, offering patients solutions in weight loss, dermatology, plastic surgery, and more to help them achieve their aesthetic goals. Our practice has helped countless patients achieve improvements in their confidence and appearance with an emphasis on attentive, personalized care, expertise, and safety. If you are interested in exploring how you can benefit from a body lift, we encourage you to schedule a consultation today. Submit our online contact form to reach us, or call our New York office directly at (212) 988-1800.

For any international or out-of-town patients traveling to our practice, we are happy to help you get here and help you make lodging arrangements.

Before and After Photos

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About Body Lifts

A body lift is a comprehensive procedure aimed at defining the contours of the mid and lower body. ⁽¹⁾ It is designed primarily for individuals who have undergone significant weight loss, whether that be through diet and exercise, a GLP-1 medication regimen, or bariatric surgery, or those who experience sagging skin due to aging. The procedure can target multiple areas of the body, including the abdomen, thighs, flanks, waist, and buttocks. It can also be combined in a staged fashion with other procedures, such as liposuction, arm lift, thigh lift, breast lift, breast augmentation, breast reduction, or a fat transfer. The procedure addresses unwanted changes with skin tightening and strategic excision. ⁽²⁾

As weight loss becomes more achievable with the use of GLP-1 medications like semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Zepbound, Mounjaro), our practice is seeing an increase in the number of body lifts and similar procedures.

For many people, losing a significant amount of weight is not only an extraordinary accomplishment but also an important step towards a healthier lifestyle. But despite all the hard work that goes into achieving weight loss goals, many people are left with excess skin and muscle laxity that prevents them from achieving their ideal body shape. Unfortunately, exercising and dieting are typically not sufficient to repair overstretched muscles or tighten excess skin. Body lift/lower body lift surgery can help create the beautiful and natural contours you deserve after substantial weight loss.

Significant weight loss often leaves many with excess skin and even rashes, leading to discomfort and self-consciousness. Aging can also contribute to a loss of elasticity and firmness in the skin, resulting in excess skin that can detract from one’s appearance. A body lift addresses these issues through effective body contouring and skin-tightening techniques.

Benefits

Body lifts offer patients an effective way to rejuvenate their bodies, accentuate their natural contours, and heighten their confidence with the body they have been working toward. Under the expert care of Dr. Elie Levine and Dr. Jody Levine, our patients achieve results through:

Candidates

People with excess skin, muscle laxity, and localized fat deposits in the abdominal region, the thighs, and the buttocks may be good candidates for a body lift. Oftentimes, people who have lost a significant amount of weight, whether through diet and exercise alone or in combination with bariatric weight-loss surgery or GLP-1 medications, can benefit from a body lift procedure to remove excess skin and improve body contours. Body lifts are ideally performed after you have achieved your weight loss goals and reached a stable weight. If you are continuing to lose weight, you should wait before having a body lift. ⁽²⁾

Personal Consultation

Because body lifts are complex and multifaceted procedures, you should choose a surgeon with both technical and aesthetic expertise. Incision placement is paramount, as is a sense of natural balance and proportion. Dr. Elie Levine combines the most advanced surgical techniques with the eye of an artist to help patients complete their body transformation.

To achieve great results, it is important to choose someone who has experience in reconstruction but who is also aesthetically trained. Dr. Elie Levine’s extensive training in these areas ensures exceptional attention to detail. This is shown in his meticulous methods that minimize visible scarring, allowing patients to wear even the most revealing clothing or bathing suits with confidence.

During your initial consultation, Dr. Elie Levine will examine your abdomen, thighs, and buttocks to determine the amount of excess skin and muscle laxity present. He will also address your medical history and discuss other factors that may affect your results, such as previous surgeries and a history of weight fluctuations. He will thoroughly discuss your goals and expectations, including possible risks and the best way to prepare for your surgery. Dr. Elie Levine will also let you know what to expect before, during, and after your procedure and will answer any questions that you may have. Dr. Elie Levine will also help you explore your insurance coverage options during this appointment.

Schedule your consultation today by submitting our online contact form. If you have any questions, please call our office at (212) 988-1800.

Preparation

Your body lift journey starts the moment you walk through the office doors. In preparation for your treatment, you will receive preparation instructions to follow before undergoing treatment. Patients should avoid alcohol, nicotine (if applicable), and any kind of blood-thinning medication or supplement. Please arrange transportation home from your procedure. Finally, take the necessary time away from work and other responsibilities.

Procedure

Body lifts are typically performed with the patient under general anesthesia. Body lift procedures remove excess skin and tighten muscles while lifting and reshaping areas including the abdomen, waist, thighs, and buttocks. ⁽²⁾ Body lift surgery typically includes three main components: a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), lateral thigh lift, and buttock lift, with or without augmentation. ⁽³⁾ Liposuction may be used in targeted areas to remove stubborn fat deposits. Depending on your goals, the buttocks may be augmented by using your own fat.

Recovery

Every surgery is different, and you will receive detailed post-operative instructions for your specific needs. In general, you can expect to experience swelling and bruising in the lower body for several weeks after surgery. Most patients report moderate pain after the surgery, and Dr. Elie Levine will ensure that you are provided with prescribed medications to enhance your comfort after the long-lasting anesthesia wears off. We recommend keeping physical activity to a minimum for a few weeks and focusing on resting until Dr. Elie Levine lets you know it is safe and acceptable to do so. We are dedicated to providing ongoing care to ensure a fast, safe, and smooth recovery. Dr. Elie Levine will see you for post-operative visits, and our staff stands ready to answer any questions you may have about your recovery, as well as your overall health and well-being.

Most patients will require at least two weeks of recovery downtime, during which they should limit their activities significantly. Those with more physically demanding jobs may require longer recovery periods, and patients who are traveling from outside of New York City for their procedure should plan to stay in town until Dr. Elie Levine clears them for travel.

Results

The results of a body lift can be transformative. After complete healing, many patients enjoy tighter, smoother skin, reduced sagging, and improved body proportions overall. Dr. Elie Levine’s refined techniques help patients look spectacular both in and out of clothing. Because of Dr. Elie Levine’s meticulous incision methods, any scarring patients see is minor, and they will fade significantly as you heal. The enhanced aesthetics achieved with this procedure not only improve physical appearance but also lead to increased self-esteem and confidence.

Corresponding Procedures

In addition to the procedures that are typically included in a body lift treatment plan, Dr. Elie Levine and Dr. Jody Levine also offer procedures that address different areas and less involved procedures that can provide optimal results.

BodyTite

One of the most innovative treatment technologies offered at Plastic Surgery & Dermatology of NYC is BodyTite. BodyTite combines liposuction with radiofrequency (RF) skin tightening. As fat is removed from the body, BodyTite emits RF energy to the surrounding tissues. Your tissues absorb this as heat, which then stimulates the production of collagen and elastin to tighten the skin. This procedure can effectively sculpt the body by removing fat without leaving loose pockets of deflated skin.

Arm Lift

Also known as a brachioplasty, an arm lift is a body sculpting and rejuvenation technique that helps patients create smooth, toned arms. Like elsewhere on the body, the arms — particularly the upper arms — can carry weight and become ptotic after aging or weight loss. In an arm lift, Dr. Elie Levine will make an incision, remove excess skin, and tighten the underlying muscles to create attractive, youthful-looking arms that you are proud to show off.

Fat Transfer

Fat transfers, also known as fat grafting, are innovative rejuvenation techniques that use your own body fat as a filler medium. These techniques are becoming increasingly popular because autologous fat poses little to no risk of rejection or allergic reaction, is readily available, and allows patients to contour one part of the body while increasing the fullness of another. In these procedures, Dr. Elie Levine will use liposuction to remove fat from a donor area and process it to prepare it for injection. Dr. Elie Levine will then carefully inject fat microdroplets to the targeted areas. By injecting microdroplets, he enhances his injection precision; allowing him to carefully place the desired amount of fat without overfilling or disrupting surrounding tissues. This technique can be used to enhance numerous body areas, including the face, breasts, and body, and it is the main technique used in Brazilian Butt Lifts.

Breast Procedures

Many women will receive a breast lift (mastopexy) alongside their body lift. A breast lift removes excess skin from sagging breasts to turn drooping, ptotic breasts into youthful-looking and perkier breasts. Dr. Elie Levine also specializes in an innovative scarless breast lift procedure. For patients who want to add volume to their breasts after weight loss or in addition to their breast lift, Dr. Elie Levine can recommend breast augmentation. Breast augmentation enhances the volume of the breasts using either implants or fat grafting. If a patient wishes to reduce the size of their breasts, Dr. Elie Levine can incorporate a breast reduction into their body lift procedure plan. This can offer impressive results, as reducing the size of the breasts alongside a body lift can create a more proportionate appearance. Dr. Elie Levine can also address breast asymmetry, revise past breast procedures, reconstruct breasts after a mastectomy or injury, and correct inverted nipples.

Skin Tightening

Dr. Elie Levine and Dr. Jody Levine offer revolutionary skin-tightening treatments that use energy to raise the levels of collagen production in the skin. For patients who may be looking for an alternative to more involved surgical procedures, these less invasive skin tightening procedures offer stunning, impactful results with minimal downtime. One of the most effective of these is Quantum RF. This treatment uses radiofrequency (RF) energy emitted through a handheld device to gently heat the skin and stimulate collagen production, which then helps the skin repair itself to a tight, hydrated, healthy state.

Skincare Treatments

Because our practice also specializes in dermatology, patients can receive skincare treatments to help them heal and help scars fade quickly. Unlike other practices, we include these unique pre- and post-surgery skincare packages as part of your surgical plan. Our pre-surgery facials and microdermabrasion treatments help prepare your skin for surgery and ensure the best recuperation. Post-operative packages include lymphatic massage with our skilled medical aesthetician to enhance circulation, support healing, improve immune function, and leave the skin looking radiant and healthy.

Cost of Body Lifts in New York City

The cost of your body lift will depend on the scale of the procedure, your personal goals, any other treatments you include, and a few other factors. After you meet with Dr. Elie Levine, you will receive a price quote. Our practice also offers financing options to help patients access their treatments, and some patients may be eligible for insurance coverage depending on their provider and policy.

Schedule your consultation today to begin your journey toward a body that makes you feel confident. If you have any questions or prefer to schedule over the phone, please call our office directly at (212) 988-1800.

FAQ

References

1. Bertheuil N, Chaput B, Bergeat D, Morvan C, Mocquard C, Watier E. The Lipo-Body Lift. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery – Global Open. 2019;7(2):e2156. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/gox.0000000000002156
2. Yanis Berkane, Saget F, Lupon E, et al. Abdominoplasty and lower body lift surgery improves the quality of life after massive weight loss: a prospective multicenter study. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 2023;Publish Ahead of Print. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/prs.0000000000010683
3. Musmarra I, Aguilar P, Struk S, Couteau C, Tresallet C, Quilichini J. Vrtical body lift: surgical technique and comparison with the inferior body lift technique. Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. 2023;Publish Ahead of Print. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/prs.0000000000010291