Body Lift (Lower Body Lift, Thigh Lift and Brachioplasty)

A body lift is a series of surgical procedures to remove excess skin and reshape areas affected by major weight loss, ageing or reduced skin elasticity. Depending on the patient’s needs, treatment may include a lower body lift, brachioplasty (arm lift) and thigh lift.

These procedures may be performed together or staged. The aim is to enhance continuity from the abdomen, waist, buttocks, thighs and upper arms whilst maintaining natural proportion.

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Why Excess Skin May Remain After the Body Becomes Smaller

Substantial weight loss can reduce body volume, but the skin that has been previously stretched will not be able to contract fully. If you maintain a stable weight and exercise regularly you may still have loose tissue around the abdomen, waist, buttocks, thighs or upper arms.

The location and extent of skin redundancy varies between patients. Dr. Mishal Al Shammari evaluates the movement of the tissues, where the folds are seen, and how one region influences the contour of another before proposing a customized approach.

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Body Areas That May Be Included in the Surgical Plan

The combination is selected based on the localization of the excess skin and the relation between the treated areas. A body-contouring plan could include:

Laxity of the circumference of the abdomen and waist
Sagging in the buttocks and outer thighs
Sagging skin on the inner thighs

Arm tissue that hangs below the upper arm
Localised fat remaining next to loose skin
Uneven contours following major weight loss

Not all patients require all three procedures. Some may require just a lower body lift and others may require thigh or arm surgery as a separate stage.

Determining Which Areas Should Be Treated First

Planning is more than just looking at where the loose skin shows. The order of operations is influenced by weight stability, skin quality, previous operations, scar location, mobility, medical history and the quantity of tissue to be removed.

During consultations in Riyadh, Dr. Mishal Al Shammari discusses whether procedures can be safely combined, or if they should be separated into different stages for a more manageable recovery. Treatment priorities are based on clinical need, not the number of procedures requested.

Reshaping Separate Areas While Maintaining Overall Continuity

A lower body lift can address the abdomen, waist, outer thighs and buttocks by removing a circumferential band of excess tissue. The rest of the skin is tucked in for a smoother transition down the lower torso.

A thigh lift targets loose tissue through the inner or outer thighs, while brachioplasty removes excess skin from the upper arms. Liposuction can be combined in some areas to improve contour, but is not a substitute for surgical skin excision where laxity is significant.

How Incision Length Relates to the Degree of Correction

Scars are an integral part of body lift surgeries because surgical cuts are made to remove excess skin. How it fits in and how much time it takes depends on how much tissue needs to be corrected and which areas are to be treated.

Scars from a lower body lift may go around the waist, scars from a thigh lift may be in the groin or on the inner thigh and brachioplasty scars may extend from the underarm to the elbow. Most scars change over time but the ultimate appearance is dependent on healing and skin characteristics.

Managing Mobility While Several Areas Recover

The recovery will be dependent on the number and extent of procedures performed. Swelling, bruising, tightness, temporary numbness and decreased movement may occur and use of compression garments or temporary drains may be recommended where indicated.

Patients may require help with daily activities during the early stages of healing, as some lower body movements may be restricted, along with lifting and reaching. Dr. Mishal Al Shammari will see you for follow-up appointments to check the incisions, tissue position, swelling, and overall recovery.

Revealing Body Shape Beneath Excess Tissue

Body lift surgery is used to improve contour by removing skin that is unable to contract enough on its own. Results should be evaluated through smoother transitions, improved tissue support and better proportion between torso, thighs and arms.

The final result is a slow evolution with lessening of swelling and maturation of scars. Supporting the result can be helped by keeping a stable weight, following postoperative instructions and allowing enough time for recovery. Tissues will continue to be affected by age and future weight changes.

What our clients say

Read about the experiences of patients who received plastic and aesthetic treatments from Dr Mishal Al Shammari.

Honestly, I didn't follow my own advice and looked around. I saw my friend's amazing results with him, so I immediately went to him for a consultation. My arms were bothering me, and he did it for me. The result was perfect.

Maram 6 month ago