Ask Dr. Pane: Have I Destroyed My Body Lift Results?

The human body is an incredible biological machine. It can grow, heal itself, adapt to its environment and even create new life. But this adaptability and capability to change is not always desirable, as with the topic of this week’s Ask Dr. Pane segment. Our viewer asks, “I had a 360 body lift done about two years ago. Since then, I’ve gained 18 pounds. Have I destroyed my body lift results, and what can I do to correct this?” Here’s what Dr. Thomas A. Pane, Chief Medical Officer and founder of Atlantic Coast Aesthetics, had to say!

A 360 body lift is done by performing a tummy tuck and then continuing the incision around the patient’s back to remove the excess skin and produce a tighter, smoother appearance. Dr. Pane says this sort of body lift is not one he generally does for two reasons. First, they are simply overdone by many cosmetic surgeons. Second, they are usually overkill, with results that don’t justify the additional healing time. Generally, the skin in the back area tends to be tighter and have less laxity than that of the abdominal area, so a tummy tuck will typically produce the same results. In some people with a lot of weight loss, for example after bariatric surgery to correct morbid obesity, a 360 body lift may be necessary for optimal results.

Having said that, Dr. Pane observes that weight gain under 20 pounds really isn’t that much on the macro scale for a person of average to above-average height and weight. If the patient experienced extreme amounts of weight gain or went through pregnancy after such a procedure, that could be a different scenario. Factors such as the extent of the original procedure, the patient’s starting, peak and current weight and the current looseness of the skin would have to be taken into consideration to determine whether revision procedures might be appropriate and the results the patient can expect to obtain.

 Dr. Pane notes small weight fluctuations are not uncommon, and even larger gains or losses such as patients experience during pregnancy and childbirth will likely have no lasting visible effect on the area, within certain parameters. Typically, by losing the weight through diet and exercise, you will find the results of the original procedure should not be affected at all. However, if there is skin laxity or unusual looseness in the area, a minor revision procedure may be a solution to restore the texture, firmness and appearance of the skin.

In this instance, the patient did not send photographs for evaluation or much in the way of medical history, so it’s very difficult to properly evaluate their before/after/current status. However, the clearest photographs and the most detailed medical history are still no substitute for an in-person clinical examination. With COVID-19 still a very real threat, we are doing everything we can to minimize in-person contact in the interests of everyone’s health and safety, but modern technology has not yet reached the point where virtual examination and consultation can take the place of one-on-one interaction. Thus, patients should always remember photographs and medical history can only take them so far when it comes to making informed decisions about their medical care.

If you have a question about any aspect of cosmetic surgery, Dr. Pane and the staff of Atlantic Coast Aesthetics are always happy to “talk shop” with prospective patients. Simply follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn; call us at (561) 422-4116; or email us through our Contact page. Your question might even be selected as the focus of an upcoming Ask Dr. Pane segment, allowing us to inform and educate others who share your concerns, questions and interests while giving you the factual information you need to make the right choices about your cosmetic surgery journey. Remember, at ACA we believe the only bad question is the one you DON’T ask!