360 Lipo vs Body Lift - Which is right for me? Jacksonville, Florida

At Cosmetic Surgery Affiliates in Jacksonville, Florida we specialize in treating patients who want to shrink their midsection. Our patients will often ask what the difference is between lipo 360 and a body lift surgery.

Lipo 360 is when we perform liposuction all the way around the entire core. We perform liposuction  on the abdomen, flanks, love handles, and back. We contour the body as we suck the fat out.

Liposuction removes excess fat by sucking it out. It is one of the most popular body contouring procedures. We perform liposuction as an outpatient surgery, meaning the patient can go home the same day. After liposuction, the skin then contracts.

What we have to determine is how much the skin will contract. If there is a significant amount of sagging skin, the skin may still be loose after surgery. This is similar to when a woman has a baby. Depending on the size of the baby and the size of the woman is, the skin may or may not contract. 

Also once the skin is stretched past the point of no return, it loses its elasticity. When the skin no longer has its elasticity, we must perform additional plastic surgery to remove the loosen sagging skin.

We perform body lift surgeries on these patients who have often lost large amounts of weight. This group of patients may have achieved their weight loss in a variety of ways. Some have had bariatric surgery. Some have lost significant amounts of weight from diet and exercise and healthy lifestyle.

Regardless on how the patient lost the unwanted fat, they all have excess skin, loose skin, and sagging skin. With a body lift  surgery, we remove the skin and fat all the way around the patient. A body lift surgery is really three surgeries in one: a tummy tuck, a butt lift, and a lateral thigh lift. 

During this cosmetic procedure, we tighten the abdominal muscles. We tighten the muscles by using either sutures or mesh to reinforce the abdominal wall and contour it like a corset. We then remove the excess skin all the way around the body like a belt. In fact, some doctors call this surgery a beltectomy.

If a patient has excess fat as well as excess skin, we can perform liposuction during the surgery. Essentially you can have lipo 360 as a part of a body lift surgery. At Cosmetic Surgery Affiliates Jax, we routinely include the liposuction as part of the surgery.

Our surgeons also perform body lifts as outpatient surgeries. This surgery takes approximately two and a half hours to perform. We currently perform our surgeries at River City Surgery Center, which is conveniently located next door to our clinic.

Recovery is different for lipo 360 versus a body lift. With lipo 360, the recovery is typically easier as there are no incisions. However, immediately after surgery, the results are not as impressive due to swelling. It takes time for the swelling to go down and skin contract. 

Alternatively, after a body lift, the results are dramatic. Swelling is still present, but the skin has been removed and the body is very tight. However, with excising the skin and suturing circumferentially, healing takes longer.  

I ask that patients take it easy the first week to avoid and increases in blood pressure. I want to minimize any risk of bleeding and potential for hematomas. Weeks two through four, I encourage my patients to listen to their bodies and ease back into more activity. On average it takes approximately four weeks to achieve forty percent of your wound strength. 

I generally tell my patients that the final results for both lipo 360 and body lift surgery are approximately three to six months. Most of the swelling goes down around one month, but it takes time for the skin to contract and the incision to smooth. Each day and each week is better and better; but plan three to six months for a final result.

The ultimate goal with either lipo 360 or a body lift surgery is give the best body contour for each individual. Safety is always the number one priority; however, patient satisfaction is a close second.Dr. Courtney Caplin and Dr. Erik Nuveen have written numerous journal articles on the safety of outpatient body lift surgeries, and have presented at conferences internationally.

in order to keep our patients safe, we require that our patients avoid nicotine both before and after surgery to maximize healing and blood perfusion.  Additionally, proper nutrition is important in the peri-operative process.

 If you are unsure if lipo 360 versus a body lift is right for you, please schedule a consultation at Cosmetic Surgery Affiliates in Jacksonville, Florida. During a consultation, you will have the opportunity to your goals. Next our team will review your medical history, and then perform a brief exam.  By the end of the consultation, we will determine a customized treatment plan for your needs and provide you with all pricing and scheduling information.