body lift - dr justin perron€¦ · why body lift? both pregnancy and significant weight loss are...

YOUR SOLUTION FOR REFRESHING AND RESHAPING AFTER

WEIGHT LOSS OR PREGNANCY

Body Lift

WHY BODY LIFT? 3

WHAT IS A BODY LIFT AND WHAT CAN IT DO FOR ME? 4

IS A BODY LIFT RIGHT FOR ME? 5

THE BODY LIFT PROCEDURE 6

Recovery

Revision

THE RISKS OF BODY LIFT SURGERY 7

DR JUSTIN PERRON 8

WHY BODY LIFT?

Both pregnancy and significant weight loss are transformative moments in life; if you’ve recently completed one of these journeys,

congratulations! Of course, both these journeys can sometimes carry a tinge of sadness at their completion. For new mothers, you might be experiencing disappointment that your body no

longer looks quite how it used to. For those who have lost a significant amount of weight, you may find your skin has not shrunk

comparatively to the rest of your body. Both of these scenarios can leave a dark cloud over a situation which is otherwise cause for

serious celebration.

Common narrative would have us believe that simply by eating “right” and exercising, you’ll be able to correct these situations. But in the case of loose skin left after pregnancy or weight loss,

unfortunately this is not the case. Don’t despair though; it doesn’t mean you’re stuck with that loose skin for life. Through body lift surgery, it is possible to remove this excess skin, reshape and re-

tone your abdomen and buttocks.

WHAT IS A BODY LIFT AND WHAT CAN IT DO FOR ME?

Body lift surgery is a procedure that combines an abdominoplasty, and a buttock lift. It addresses the redundant skin and fat around the lower abdomen and back after a large or massive weight loss. The procedure recontours the abdomen and the buttocks, and correcting the soft tissue ptosis of the lower body.

While a body lift is sometimes considered to be a cosmetic procedure, is can also be considered to be a reconstructive procedure which is necessary to correct abnormalities left after pregnancy or weight loss - including after bariatric surgery, a trauma, or certain diseases.

A body lift can also:

• Improve the function of the abdominal muscles

• Address weaknesses in the abdominal wall

• Repair a hernia or herniae

• Correct or relieve defects in the abdomen

• Alleviate rashes which can occur under abdominal wall folds

• Remove an ‘apron’ of fat which can cause difficulties walking and with hygiene

4 DR JUSTIN PERRON BODY LIFT YOUR SOLUTION FOR REFRESHING AND RESHAPING AFTER WEIGHT LOSS OR PREGNANCY

IS A BODY LIFT RIGHT FOR ME?

A body lift is not a one-size-fits-all procedure; it’s highly individualised and will be carefully planned by Dr Perron in conjunction with you to ensure the best possible outcome for your unique needs.

Prior to undergoing a body lift, it’s essential you are in good health and as fit as possible, as this will help you to recover more quickly, and ensure a good result. If you’re a smoker, it’s essential you quit prior to this surgery.

If you have plans to lose more weight, Dr Perron strongly advises that you get yourself to your ‘ideal’ weight prior to considering undergoing body lift surgery as this will have an impact on your results. Losing further weight post-operatively could leave you needing a subsequent surgery to further revise your abdomen or buttock.

It is also of utmost importance that you have realistic expectations for the results of your surgery. It is not a “silver bullet”, and it will not leave you “perfect”. You should be aware that, as a body lift is an invasive surgery, you will be left with some scarring. While Dr Perron strives to locate incisions in places where they will blend with your natural skin lines and creases, it is inevitable that you will be left with some scarring.

This procedure should be considered by people who:

• Have loose skin on their stomach after losing a large amount of weight, including following a bariatric surgery

• Have loose skin on their stomach or lower back/buttock after pregnancy

• Are physically fit and healthy, and are at a stable weight

• Are non-smokers, or have quit

• Have realistic expectation of the outcome of the surgery

It should be noted that this surgery will not be appropriate in the following circumstances:

• If you are unable to undergo anaesthetic

• If you are planning to get pregnant

• If you are planning to lose more weight

• If you are deemed to have too high a risk of complications from the surgery

• If you are prone to bleeding, or your healing ability is poor


THE BODY LIFT PROCEDURE

Body lift surgery generally takes several hours to complete, and is performed under a general anaesthetic.

During the procedure Dr Perron will remove the sagging skin and extra fat from the area, and can repair any muscles which have separated, restoring the shape of the abdomen and lower back/buttock. It is also possible for this procedure to be combined with liposuction to further enhance the results. The exact steps undertaken will be carefully planned by yourself and Dr Perron at your pre-surgery consultations to ensure you achieve the outcome you desire.

It may be necessary for you to stay in hospital for a few days following your surgery, allowing you time to recover. This will generally be between three and five days.

Drains will be fitted to the surgical area, and may need to remain in the wound site for a time, potentially even after you leave hospital. These will be removed by Dr Perron when appropriate.

It will be necessary for you to wear a post-operative compression garment for several weeks following your surgery. This helps to ensure the best outcome possible.

Recovery

The time it takes to recover from a body lift will vary from patient to patient, and is dependent on your unique circumstances. For most people this will be a few weeks, for others it may take longer. Dr Perron will advise you on when you are able to return to normal activities.

For the first couple of weeks it is essential that you limit exercise to walking or inclined walking only. In fact, walking and movement in the days following your procedure is encouraged as it can help to prevent the risk of DVT, blood clots, and lung complications like pneumonia.

You will gradually be able to introduce low-impact exercise as directed as your healing progresses, before progressing to normal activities once the site of the surgery has healed.

Dr Perron and his experienced team will provide you with highly detailed post-surgery care instructions, and will be with you for every step of your body lift surgery.

Revision

In some cases it may be necessary to perform revisionary surgery to further optimise your results, including scarring.


THE RISKS OF BODY LIFT SURGERY

Body lift surgery, like all surgeries, comes with certain risks. The most common complications associated with this procedure are infection, minor pain, minor bleeding, and wound healing issues.

It is also possible you may experience other side effects including:

• Asymmetry

• A circumferential scar that can be noticeable

• Fluid accumulation in the areas being treated

• Irregular appearing skin

• Scarring problems that may include a red or raised scar

• Persistent swelling

• Numbness around the areas being treated

• Recurrence of skin and fold redundancy

• The need for a blood transfusion

• Loss of blood supply to some areas of the fat and skin

In most cases, these kinds of post-operative complications are easily managed. Dr Perron is highly experienced in this procedure, and will be with you for every step of your journey to ensure the risks are minimised, and your outcome is the best it can be.


DR JUSTIN PERRON

Dr Justin Perron is a Canadian born, Australian-trained Plastic and Reconstructive and Cosmetic Surgeon. He studied Chemistry and Biochemistry in Canada at the University of Calgary before moving to Australia to pursue his medical training in 2000. After growing up in a medically oriented family - his father is also a Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon - Dr Perron decided to continue the tradition, and pursued a career in medicine. Dr Perron completed his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery at Flinders University in Adelaide, South Australia before moving to Queensland in 2003.

Dr Perron underwent many years of study and training before completing his Australian Fellowship in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery with The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS). He regularly presents at surgical conferences, and has published articles in a number of journals.

Dr Justin Perron has both public and private appointments. He currently works at the Mater Public and Private hospitals in South Brisbane, Queensland. He also consults at the Springfield Lakes Mater Hospital.

Dr Perron is a member of the following societies:

• Royal Australasian Society of Surgeons (RACS)

• Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)

• Australasian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS Aust.)

• American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS USA)

• Queensland Hand Surgery Society (QHSS)

To make an appointment with Dr Perron, visit drjustinperron.com.au/contact.html or contact us today on 07 3861 8800!


CONTACT US

07 3861 8800

drjustinperron.com.au

[email protected]

490 Boundary Street, Spring Hill, Brisbane

body lift - dr justin perron€¦ · why body lift? both pregnancy and significant weight loss are...

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