Overview

Men and women who have lost a considerable amount of weight lose elasticity in their skin, and can’t conform their skin to their reduced size. This leaves wrinkling and loose skin on the body, which is sometimes hard to hide. Dr. Decherd and Dr. Isakson perform upper and lower body lifts in the San Antonio area to remove saggy skin and contour the body. This procedure can correct hanging rolls, sagging skin, drooping, deflated breasts, excess fat pockets, and abdomen bulges. The best candidates for a body lift are patients who can’t lose hanging skin and pockets of tissue with diet and exercise alone.

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What To Expect

During the initial consultation, the surgeon will assess your arms, breasts, upper back, abdomen, and torso to discuss the body contouring techniques that will be used to create a tailored upper body lift that meets your aesthetic goals. Before surgery, the surgeon will refer to this plan and work one-on-one with the patient to mark the areas of the body that will be surgically corrected. This procedure will differ from patient to patient and will occur in stages during one setting. Liposuction is almost always used to remove excess pockets of fat and tissue. An upper body lift may include a combination of an arm lift, a breast lift, and liposuction on the upper back.

During a lower body lift, an incision is made horizontally across the lower abdomen, circling the body. Through these incisions, excess fat pockets will be removed using liposuction and the underlying tissue and muscle will be pulled tight. An experienced surgeon will make every attempt to trim away as much loose skin as possible while protecting the incision area to minimize scarring.

After the Surgery

The recovery following an upper body lift can be lengthy due to the nature of the surgery.  It is common for most patients to spend a couple of nights in the hospital. Multiple drains may be used to help drain excess fluid and blood. Patients may need to take a week or two off from work as they recuperate. By 6 weeks after the operation, most patients begin to look and feel normal. At this time, exercise can gradually be resumed. Patients who adhere to consistent exercise and a healthy diet will be able to maintain results from the surgery for a long time.

All lower-body lift surgeries are performed under general anesthesia in an accredited surgical facility. The duration of the surgery depends on how many procedures are performed and to what extent. It is common for surgery of this nature to take 3-4 hours or longer. The recovery can also be quite trying. Most patients will be required to spend a couple of nights in the hospital. It could take 2 weeks or longer before work and normal activities can resume. A lower body lift can create a natural shape and a leaner, more toned figure. Patients who adhere to a healthy lifestyle can enjoy their surgical results for years.

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Board Certified, MD

Dr. Decherd

Dr. Decherd is a fourth-generation doctor who chose plastic surgery because he enjoys helping people look and feel their best.

Meet Dr. Decherd

04 – Meet The Doctors

Meet Your Experienced surgeons

Michael E. Decherd, MD, and Matthew H. Isakson, MD, our board-certified plastic surgeons at San Antonio Plastic Surgery Institute, prioritize your comfort and safety throughout your surgical journey. Their extensive training and experience promote personalized attention and the highest standard of care possible.

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Board Certified, MD

Dr. Isakson

Dr. Isakson is a board-certified plastic surgeon with specialized fellowship training and extensive experience in aesthetic surgery.

Meet Dr. Isakson

Upper Body Lift FAQs

Both of these surgeries are fairly extensive. Because an upper body lift and a lower body lift are such huge surgical undertakings, most surgeons will opt to separate the procedures into two separate surgeries. This is to minimize as many risks as possible and to allow proper and healthy healing. On average, the recovery for each is about 6 weeks.

The location of the scars varies by patient. We make every effort to place the incisions in areas that can be covered with clothing and hidden as much as possible.  For example, incisions on the breast usually run from the nipple down to the fold, and then under the breast where the natural fold exists.  Incisions on the arm are made from the underarm to the elbow.  It is placed on the inner side of the upper arm. On the upper back and torso, the incisions are made so that the scarring will not reach the midline.

For massive weight loss patients, insurance may cover a part of the surgery. This is usually the case of a medical problem, or infection exists because of the loose and hanging skin. However, in most cases, insurance will not cover cosmetic surgery. Your benefits will be discussed during your meeting with one of our billing and insurance coordinators.

Yes. Patients who have sagging and loose skin following a massive weight loss will see a dramatic difference in their shape and physique.  Many patients say that they feel like they have a brand new body following this procedure and that they can’t wait to wear form-fitting clothes. This surgery allows them to feel confident in their own skin.

Before & Afters

View Stunning transformations

Be inspired by the remarkable transformations in our before and after gallery, where artistry and surgical experience converge. Each result is a testament to our commitment to natural-looking enhancements and personalized care. Your transformation awaits – schedule your consultation today.
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BODY LIFT RESULTS
BODY LIFT RESULTS

Lower Body Lift FAQ’s

While this procedure produces great results, scarring is inevitable. However, every effort is made to create clean incisions and leave a thin scar line. These incisions are also created low to follow the natural bikini line and keep them hidden if a bathing suit is worn. The scars will continue to heal and fade over time. Most patients feel their sleeker, tighter body outweighs the scarring.

Because of the extent of this procedure, patients may feel discomfort during the recovery process. For this reason, patients are required to stay in the hospital for a couple of days to be monitored and will be prescribed pain medication to help minimize pain and discomfort.

Yes, insurance may cover some portion of a body lift procedure.  For massive weight loss patients, there may be chronic skin infections or other issues caused by obesity. This varies by patient condition, insurance policy, and procedure. Patient benefits will be discussed during the pre-op meeting with one of our billing and insurance coordinators.

Individuals contemplating a lower body lift will need to be at or near their goal weight. If they anticipate losing a significant amount of weight, this needs to happen first. Once the weight has been lost, a physical will be required to ensure the body has stabilized enough to endure surgery.

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Dr. Michael E. Decherd and Dr. Matthew Isakson are San Antonio, TX lower body lift surgeons helping to transform the bodies of men and women following weight loss. While losing weight is an exciting event for many patients, it can also create new challenges as the body adjusts to the smaller size. Individuals struggling with loose and excess skin may consider a lower body lift to improve their contour and shape. Sometimes referred to as a body lift 360, this surgery removes excess skin from the lower abdomen, hips, lower back, and buttocks. The lower body is then pulled up, and the underlying tissue is tightened to create a smooth and toned effect, essentially redefining the lower body.