Body Lift in Atlanta

Yes; at Artisan Plastic Surgery, we perform the body lift in Atlanta at Northside Hospital, after which you will be admitted to a 23-hour hospital stay.

There are a few things to keep in mind when planning to receive a body lift in Atlanta from Artisan Plastic Surgery:

• Because we use general anesthesia during a body lift, you must refrain from eating anything after midnight the night before.
• You are required to stop using any blood-thinning drugs like NSAIDs or supplements at least two weeks before your surgery.
• Find someone to give you a ride home after your surgery.
• You’ll probably need help the first night after your surgery.

We advise the following post-operative instructions following your body lift in Atlanta:

• Minimal activity is recommended for the first week after surgery. Limit stairs to one time up and one time down per day for the first 72 hours. You may return to non-strenuous work approximately 2 weeks after surgery.
• No sports or gym activity for 6 weeks, unless otherwise directed by the medical team. Depending on the patient, it may be anywhere from 8 weeks to 6 months before you may be cleared for direct core work (i.e. sit ups, crunches, etc.)
• Drains are required for this procedure. You may have your drains anywhere between 2 to 6 weeks. The average amount of time the majority of patients have drains for approximately 3 to 4 weeks. We never take both drains out at the same time.
• You must be on your prescribed antibiotic the entire time you have drains. You will need to see us weekly the entire time you have drains. You must bring your drain log to each appointment; this helps us determine when your drains may safely be removed. You will be instructed by hospital staff upon discharge how to care for your drains. No intercourse while you have drains.
• When lying down in bed, position yourself on your back, elevated with your head above your heart for 1 week. This helps with swelling and reduces tension on the incision.
• When getting out of bed do not sit up in a crunch like motion, roll to your side and use your arms to push yourself up.
• Wearing compression decreases your risk of developing a collection of fluid to your abdomen. Leave the abdominal binder on 24/7, aside from showers. You are given an abdominal binder from the hospital.
• After both drains are discontinued you may switch to a compression garment of your choice (Spanx, Faja, Shaper Mint, etc…). Compression is recommended for 6 weeks or for 2 weeks after your last drain was discontinued, whichever comes last.
• It is very important for you to stand up and walk every hour during awake hours. You must move your body and encourage circulation to avoid a blood clot.
• If you experience increased swelling to an extremity, redness to an extremity, pain or tenderness to an extremity, shortness of breath, or pain with breathing, seek medical attention immediately.
• No hot or cold compresses on your abdomen or incisions. There will be temporary numbness to your abdomen, we want to avoid burns to your skin.
• All your sutures are dissolvable and do not require removal.
• No alcohol for 1 week post-op, or for as long as you are on pain medication or muscle relaxers.
• Unless otherwise noted by our medical staff and assuming no complications your post-operative appointments are as follows.
• Weekly with medical staff until drains are discontinued.
• After drains are discontinued, we stretch your appointments out to approximately every 2 weeks depending on what week your final drain is discontinued, usually 6 to 8 weeks. You will typically have a final follow-up appointment with the doctor at the 3 month mark.
• We use the Exparel nerve block which lasts for 4 days. This significantly reduces post-operative discomfort. After this time, any remaining discomfort can be relieved by the pain medications provided.
• Moderate swelling and bruising around and below the abdomen is normal. The majority of swelling will be resolved around 6 to 8 weeks, but can take 6 months to a year to completely resolve.
• Some blood or drainage on the dressings is to be expected.

Call the office (404-851-1998) if you experience:

• Severe pain not responding to pain medications.
• Excessive swelling or swelling that is significantly greater on one side than the other.
• Bright red spot(s) on the bandage that continues to enlarge.
• Incisions that appear to be opening.
• Incisions that appear very red or hot to the touch.
• Fever and/or chills.
• Darkness or discoloration of the skin or incisions.
• Calf pain or swelling in one leg. This can be a sign of a blood clot requiring immediate attention.

While you will notice transformative results immediately following your body lift in Atlanta, it typically takes about 3 to 4 weeks to fully recover. During this time, swelling will gradually subside and your new contours will continue to become more defined.