Every New Year, millions of people resolve to lose weight.  Some are successful, some are not.  Even the most successful dieter has problems getting rid of as much fat as they would like.  Some areas of their body do not respond to diet and exercise the way they would like them to. It comes as no surprise then, that some of the most common cosmetic plastic surgery procedures such as Liposuction, Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty), Arm Lift and Body Lift involve a reshaping of the body through removal of excess fat deposits. Arms, abdomen, hips, thighs and knees respond very well to treatment.  Dr. Swift also provides Labia Reduction Surgery, or Labiaplasty. If you're considering this type of procedure, read more about some of the services we provide at our Manhattan, New York City office.

Arm Lift (Brachioplasty)

After substantial weight loss, weight gain or simply from the effects of aging, skin on the upper arms can become inelastic, loose and flabby. Arm lifts, also known as brachioplasty, remove that excess skin and fat. Patients who have significant amounts of fat may want to consider combining the procedure with liposuction.

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Body Lift (Belt Lipectomy)

Also called circumferential torsoplasty or panniculectomy, the body lift is performed to remove excess skin and sometimes also fat from the torso and upper legs (affecting the abdomen, back, buttocks, hips and thighs). It is a complicated procedure that can take three to seven hours under general anesthesia and involves a difficult recovery period of four to six weeks.

Candidates for body lifts typically either cannot lose significant amounts of weight, or already suffer from loose (inelastic) skin on many or most areas of the body as a result of age, childbearing or extreme weight loss due to diet, exercise or bariatric surgery. Because of this, the procedure is often combined with others such as breastlifts, facelifts and armlifts to retain a proper body proportion.

During the procedure, skin is lifted from underlying tissue, muscles are tightened and stitched and fat is removed where necessary, and the skin is sutured closed. The navel is often removed and replaced in its new position. Surgical tubes may be needed for a few days to drain any fluid, and patients may need to wear compression garments for a few weeks to facilitate faster healing.

After surgery, patients are encouraged to walk as soon as they are able, although strenuous activities must be limited for about a month. Results are visible immediately but improvement may continue for some time.

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