Significant weight loss, aging, and changes in skin elasticity can leave behind loose, hanging skin that doesn’t improve with diet or exercise alone. A body lift procedure is designed to reshape these areas by removing excess skin and improving body contours. Depending on where those concerns are located, your surgeon may recommend either an upper-body lift, a lower-body lift, or a customized combination of procedures.
At Krummen Plastic Surgery in Cincinnati, board-certified Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon Dr. Donna Krummen brings more than 20 years of experience to body contouring surgery. Recognized as one of Cincinnati’s Top Doctors since 2010, she develops individualized surgical plans that help patients achieve balanced, natural-looking results following weight loss or other body changes.
What Is a Body Lift Procedure?
A body lift is a body-contouring surgery that removes excess skin and reshapes the underlying tissues to create a firmer, smoother silhouette. Unlike liposuction, which removes unwanted fat, a body lift primarily addresses loose or stretched skin that remains after significant weight changes or natural aging.
Every procedure is customized to the patient’s anatomy and aesthetic goals. Some patients benefit from treating only one area of the body, while others combine multiple procedures to create more comprehensive contouring.
What Does an Upper Body Lift Surgery Include?
An upper body lift surgery focuses on the areas above the waist that commonly develop excess skin following weight loss. Treatment may include the upper back, bra line, sides of the chest, and underarms to create smoother contours.
Depending on each patient’s needs, Dr. Krummen may recommend combining an upper body lift with additional procedures such as a breast lift, breast reduction, breast augmentation, or chest contouring. Addressing these areas together often creates more harmonious proportions while allowing patients to complete their body contouring with a single recovery period when appropriate.
What Is Included in a Lower Body Lift?
A lower body lift addresses loose skin around the lower torso, buttocks, hips, and upper thighs. This procedure is frequently chosen by patients following major weight loss, when excess skin may affect both appearance and comfort.
By removing redundant skin and reshaping the surrounding tissues, a lower body lift can improve body contours while creating a smoother transition between the waist, hips, thighs, and buttocks.
Body Lift vs. Tummy Tuck: What’s the Difference?
Although these procedures are sometimes confused, a body lift vs. tummy tuck comparison reveals that they address different concerns.
A tummy tuck focuses primarily on the front of the abdomen. During the procedure, excess abdominal skin is removed, weakened abdominal muscles can be repaired, and the midsection is tightened.
A body lift treats a much larger area by extending around portions of the torso to improve loose skin affecting the abdomen, hips, buttocks, and thighs—or the upper back and chest in the case of an upper body lift. During your consultation, Dr. Krummen will recommend the procedure that best addresses your specific concerns and body contouring goals.
Which Procedure Is Right for You?
The best surgical plan depends on where excess skin is located, the quality of your skin, your overall health, and your desired outcome. Some patients achieve excellent results with a single body contouring procedure, while others benefit from combining surgeries in carefully planned stages.
An individualized consultation allows Dr. Krummen to evaluate your anatomy and recommend the safest, most effective approach for achieving balanced, natural-looking results.
Personalized Body Contouring in Cincinnati
Body contouring after weight loss requires thoughtful planning and experienced surgical judgment. Dr. Donna Krummen combines decades of expertise with a personalized approach to help patients achieve smoother body contours while prioritizing safety and long-term outcomes. If you’re considering an upper body lift surgery, a lower body lift, or wondering whether a body lift or tummy tuck is right for you, call (513) 985-0850 or contact Krummen Plastic Surgery to schedule your consultation in Cincinnati.
