Body Lift after massive weight loss in Beverly Hills & Los Angeles

Massive weight loss of more than 50 lbs carries many unwanted consequences. In Beverly Hills and Los Angeles many who have lost weight are undergoing tummy tuck or Abdominoplasty in order to regain their normal figure.
The incidence of body contouring procedures such as tummy tuck, body lift, arm lift/brachioplasty, and thigh lift are rapidly rising as more and more people are losing their unwanted weight with diet, exercise, and Bariatric surgery (gastric bypass, lap band).
Obesity not only causes accumulation of fat in the subcutaneous tissue around the torso, but also intra-abdominally. This gut fat pushes out against the abdominal wall and makes it stretch. Therefore, after weight loss a person is not only left with loose and hanging abdominal skin, but also with a weakened and protruding abdominal wall. Unfortunately, exercise cannot adequately strengthen the abdominal wall and people and left with a hanging belly.
Abdominoplasty or Tummy tuck after weight loss enables men and women of Beverly Hills and Los Angeles to restore their body to its normal shape and form. Beverly Hills abdominoplasty or tummy tuck accomplishes several goals:
1. Removal of excess hanging abdominal skin.
2. Removal of all or most of lower abdominal stretch marks.
3. Tightening the abdominal wall and restoring its original integrity, firmness, and function.
A High Tension Abdominoplasty as developed by Dr. Younai, also helps to pull up the loss skin of the upper thighs and buttocks, while liposuctioning excess flank fat in order to create a more hour-glass waist. The result is not only a tight and smooth abdomen but also a curvaceous body.
While some men and women with massive weight loss after gastric bypass or lap band surgery only need a tummy tuck, the majority would need a different type of body contouring procedure which address the excess skin folds around the torso, chest, and thighs.
Panniculectomy, which only removes the abdominal pannus, is best for those that haven’t lost all their excess fat and still have a heavy and large tummy fold. For those who are close to their ideal body weight or Body Mass Index, and only have excess torso skin a body lift is more appropriate. In Beverly Hills a body lift, belt lipectomy, Circumferential Torsoplasty, or lower body lift, basically removes the excess mid-torso skin. During a body lift a plastic surgeon lifts the buttocks in the back, pulls up and smoothens the loose outer thigh skin, as well as removes the hanging abdominal skin and tightens the abdominal wall. Because of its complexity a body lift is best performed by a board certified plastic surgeon that specializes in post-bariatric body contouring surgery.

Abdominoplasty Revision in Beverly Hills & Los Angeles

Why people might not be happy with their tummy tuck in Beverly Hills?

A person might be disappointed with the results of their tummy tuck or abdominoplasty in Beverly Hills due to asymmetry, highly visible surgical scar or their location, unacceptable visible deformities, bunching and rippling. The skin near or at the incisions may heal poorly, wounds may disrupt, and sensation can be altered in the areas of surgery or adjacent to it.

Tummy Tuck Complications or Unsatisfactory Results in Beverly Hills
ÿ Tummy tuck scars can sometimes be revised or at least relocated to a less visible location. It is not uncommon to find patients who have had their tummy tuck incision placed too high, just under their belly button. These women are often unable to hide these scars under a bikini. This scar can often be lowered to where it can be hidden under a bikini.
ÿ Another common complaint is the appearance and the size of belly buttons or the umbilicus after an abdominoplasty in Beverly Hills. The belly button scar and shape can be optimized with minor revision tummy tuck surgery.
ÿ Unwanted bulging and protrusion of the abdomen after a tummy tuck can be caused by several things. First, it is not common for some women to gain weight after a tummy tuck which can cause accumulation of fat in certain areas of the abdomen and flanks. Second, tightening of the abdominal wall muscles can become undone with either heavy lifting, or weight gain. There are even times when the Beverly Hills plastic surgeon might not have performed a complete tightening of the abdominal Rectus Muscles along its entire length. This can also be revised similar to repair of a ventral hernia or incisional hernia.
ÿ Smoking or use of Nicotine products can be detrimental to the results of a tummy tuck. Nicotine causes severe chocking of the small and delicate blood vessels that supply blood to the umbilicus and the other areas of the abdominal skin. Therefore, smoking can cause death of the umbilicus or the abdominal wall skin and opening or dehiscence of the incision line. If this happens, a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon can possibly revise your abdominoplasty and repair or reconstruct these wounds.


Having said this, it may not be possible to fully correct, revise, or improve upon the result of your tummy tuck. Following the instructions of your Board Certified Plastic Surgeon before and after surgery can minimize your chance of developing complications or unsatisfactory results.

weight loss by liposuction in Beverly Hills

Liposuction has become a new method of weight loss for men and women in Beverly Hills and Los Angeles who are overweight or obese. While bariatric surgery has revolutionized surgical weight management throughout California and the US; people are realizing its risks, complications, and long term side-effects on body shape. Heavy and large people who reach a frustrating plateau after diet and exercise, find large-volume-liposuction an alternative to gastric bypass surgery. They have seen their overweight friends who have had weight loss surgery not only lose excess body fat, but to also to uncontrollably lose body mass in the areas that they wanted to keep! For example, after lap band surgery, women often find their breasts shrink away and sag. Rapid and massive total body weight loss results in sagging skin that draped off arms, abdomen, buttocks, and thighs. Obese men and women of Los Angeles and Beverly Hills who were once happy to have lost much weight with gastric bypass are now facing another dilemma- how not to look disgusting when they take off their clothes?
Large Volume Liposuction can drastically reduce dress size by removing unwanted fat from selected body areas, instead of the whole body as experienced with bariatric surgery. Meanwhile, this method of liposuction keeps full other body areas such as the buttocks, breasts, and the face. Among overweight people in Los Angeles, there are many that have changed their lifestyle and eating habits in a way not to gain any further weight. Despite their sacrifice they become frustrated with their inability to lose weight in right areas of their body. For example, they wished that they could reduce their thigh size to the portion of their upper body. Some want to only lose weight in their gut without getting thinner legs. These people find large volume liposuction as an effective alternative to Bariatric surgery.
Large volume liposuction was born out of the desire of plus size women to look curvy and sexy, without having to become too thin. Large volume liposuction accomplishes more than weight loss; it provides heavy set men and women with the shape and figure that they always wanted. This is accomplished safely when liposuction is performed by a board certified plastic surgeon who has the depth of knowledge, experience, and support structure to conduct large volume liposuction.

Buttock Augmentation in Beverly Hills- Men

Buttock Augmentation in Beverly Hills has become a hot topic not only for women but also for men. Why Los Angeles men are seeking buttock enlargement or Brazilian butt lift? The answer is simple! In the era of sexual revolution and gender equality men have just as much of a right as women do to look their best! Just like the Calvin Klein models, California men want to look good and attractive in jeans. Professional men don’t want to dress like their grandfathers, but more so like Italian models. In pursuit of achieving a model-like body Beverly Hills men workout, exercise, eat healthy, and take their vitamin. Despite this, some find that they are missing buttock fullness. It bothers them that their pants look empty and wrinkled. Buttock augmentation allows men to have shape, fullness, and oomph!

Brazilian buttock augmentation in Beverly Hills is performed by injecting a person’s own body fat into their buttock or Gluteal muscle. Beverly Hills cosmetic surgeon liposuctions the abdomen, flanks, and other areas around the buttock in order to shape it and to harvest fat for fat grafting into the buttocks.

Body Lift or Thigh Lift after Gastric Bypass in Beverly Hills

What is a Thigh Lift?
After weight loss, men and women can get sagging and rippling of their thighs that can extend from the upper thighs to the knees. Often, women complain that they are unable to wear swimsuits and that the loose skin rubs together between their thighs. Also the wrinkled loose skin around the knees keeps many women from being able to wear skirts.

While the sagging of the outer thighs and the buttocks can usually be addressed with a Body Lift procedure that of the inner thighs cannot. A Thigh Lift is a procedure which lifts and tightens the loose skin of thighs -- mostly that of the inner thighs.


What is a Traditional Thigh Lift?

Two different types of thigh lifts can be performed depending on the extent of skin laxity. If the skin laxity and rippling is mostly limited to the upper inner thighs, and skin excess does not extend to the entire circumference of the thigh, a Traditional Thigh Lift can be performed. In this procedure the surgical scar is located in the groin crease extending to the buttock crease. This scar is very well hidden.


What is an Extended Thigh Lift?

Often, people who were once extremely obese are now left with extensive laxity of the entire thigh all the way to the knees. In these cases, an Extended Thigh Lift is performed. In addition to the scar of the groin crease, there is also a long vertical scar that extends along the inner thigh height. This vertical scar enables the surgeon to remove the lax excessive skin of the entire thigh.


Can Thigh Lifts be Combined with Liposuction?

Yes. Both Traditional Thigh Lift and Extended Thigh Lift can often be combined with limited Liposuction in order to better contour the legs and to reduce the size of the “saddle bags”.

Beverly Hills Tummy Tuck- High Tension Abdominoplasty

There are several types of Abdominoplasty or Tummy Tuck procedures in Beverly Hills. These differ depending on the extent of the abdominal wall tightening and removal of loose skin and stretch marks.

Doctor Sean Younai who is a Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon often performs “High-Tension Tummy Tuck or Abdominoplasty.” It is unique in that it not only tightens the abdominal wall but also pulls up and tightens the thighs and the buttocks. By repairing the loosened abdominal muscles, this also narrows the waistline. It removes a majority of the stretch marks by removing the loose skin below the “umbilicus,” or navel. Finally, it re-creates the belly button by removing the stretched out skin around it, making it look deeper and tighter.

How is this accomplished? The first step is an incision that extends from hip to hip along lower pubic area. A skilled surgeon makes this incision so that the resulting scar will be hidden under a bikini or by undergarments. The loose abdominal skin is lifted off the abdominal wall and the separated loosened “rectus” muscles (those used in doing sit-ups) are tightened with sutures. This achieves the effect that an old-fashioned girdle would.

In people with excessive fat in the hips and flanks, these areas are suctioned in order to shape the waist and to form the buttocks and flanks. The umbilicus (“belly button”) is disconnected from the abdominal skin, and after removing the loose skin along with its stretch marks, it is reattached to the abdomen. Drains are inserted to remove excess fluid as it accumulates.

The final result is a tummy that is tight and flat, a waist that is narrow and curvy, thighs and buttocks that are firmer, a belly button that is sexy, and an abdomen that is firm and youthful.

Recovery from Tummy Tuck in Beverly Hills

How painful is tummy tuck or body lift?
A standard Tummy Tuck or Abdominoplasty feels, more or less, like a C-Section. It is more painful than Liposuction, Breast Augmentation, Tubal Ligation, Rhinoplasty, Breast Biopsy, and less painful than Hysterectomy, shoulder surgery, or back surgery.

When Can I Lift My Children Again?
You should not do any heavy lifting for about eight weeks from the date of your surgery. You should be prepared to have spouses, or other loved ones, lift your children so that you don’t risk ripping your stitches. After the first week you may hold your young baby in your lap, but do not lift them up unless they weigh less than a gallon of milk

When Can I Exercise Again?
You may start some light walking as early as 10-14 days after your plastic surgery. As you feel more comfortable you can increase your activities, but you cannot lift anything heavier than a gallon of milk for the first two months. Heavy lifting can cause your internal stitches to rip apart, resulting in a hernia that will require corrective surgery. Jogging is usually acceptable after three to four weeks, as long as you are wearing your girdle. You can do arm and leg weight training in three to four weeks as long as you don’t feel that you are straining your abdominal and back muscles.

When can I go back to work?
This depends on the normal level of activity that is expected of you at work. There is a difference in timing for those who have desk jobs, versus those who are required to stand, walk, bend, push, and pull constantly throughout their workday. Most people return to non-strenuous jobs within 10-14 days after a tummy tuck. If your job is very strenuous, you might have to take more time off, but usually no more than four to six weeks. For those who are having Body Lift and Thigh Lift procedures, it usually it takes longer to go back to work depending on their age, stamina, extent of surgery and job requirements.

When Can I Resume Sexual Relations?
It depends on what you are planning to do! More or less, follow the same restrictions as for exercising. You cannot strain your abdominal, thighs, and back muscles greatly for the first six to eight weeks. Having said this, it is very helpful for your body, soul and psyche to have intimate relationship early on. This will also be beneficial for your significant other. They are most likely as scared as you are; and are afraid to do anything that might hurt you. Don’t be afraid. Proceed as is comfortable for both of you.

What Kind of Emotions I Might Anticipate Following My Tummy Tuck?
Before surgery most patients are very happy, excited, and looking forward to undergoing their body transformation. Afterwards, they often have mixed feelings. Some of this is caused by the period of disability. Sometimes, people have not yet adjusted to their new body and look. Depending on the person as well as their surroundings, people respond differently to this change. Although most people feel cheerful and are happy with their new body, few do feel regret or have a difficult time psychologically adjusting to it. This can affect their social or marital relations. If you are having these very normal feelings, be sure and discuss them with your family doctor or plastic surgeon.

Tummy Tuck- Potential Risks & Complications

What Are the Potential Risks, Complications, and Shortfalls of Tummy Tuck Surgery?

Scars- The trade off for your flatter and tighter abdomen will be surgical scars that are permanent. While no surgeon, however skilled, can perform surgery without scars, scars do usually fade with time, taking up to 18 months. Some people are genetically predisposed to bad scarring, or even formation of keloids or hypertrophic scars. While it is generally perceived that only dark-skinned people develop Keloids, the fact is that light-skinned people and people from all ethnic backgrounds can develop Keloids, hypertrophic, or “bad scars”. Dr. Younai, and/or his staff review the place of Tummy Tuck or Body Lift scars with every patient prior to surgery, in order to place them in a location that can be better hidden by bathing suits or underwear.

Bleeding- It is possible, though uncommon, to experience some bleeding during or after surgery. Should excessive bleeding occur, it might require a blood transfusion, or even emergency surgery. But most commonly, localized small amounts of blood collected under the skin (hematoma) can be easily treated through aspiration or the placement of a drain. Dr. Younai, like majority of other plastic surgeons, routinely uses drains that help remove any excess fluid or blood collection.

To reduce the chance and risk of bleeding with surgery, you must not take any blood thinners, such as aspirin, anti-inflammatory, or vitamin E for 10 days prior and after your surgery.

Infection- There is a very small chance of developing infection after any surgery. You will be given antibiotics during your surgery and be given a prescription for antibiotics to take after your surgery, in order to reduce the risk of infection.


“When I awoke in the Recovery Room, I refused to eat or drink anything. Since I didn’t have anything in my stomach, I couldn’t take a pain pill. I regretted this an hour later when my husband was driving us home on the freeway and the pain hit me hard.”
Nancy, age 40
Pain- While people have varying thresholds for pain, it is an expected result from any surgery. This can be addressed through a prescribed medication from your cosmetic surgeon. Nevertheless, you should be aware that although pain medications do help reduce the degree of pain and make it more tolerable, there is no pain medication that will completely eliminate pain.

Nausea. Anesthetics, narcotics, and antibiotics do cause nausea. You will be prescribed an anti-nausea medication, both just-before, during, and after your surgery. Taking your medications with food helps to reduce the incidence and degree of post-operative nausea.



Persistent Swelling & Bruising. It is normal for skin of the abdomen, navel, genitalia, buttocks, and thighs to become inflamed, swollen, and bruised following the surgery, and to remain so for some weeks. In rare cases, this can persist for many months or can even be permanent if patient has poor circulation. To minimize swelling and bruising after surgery patients are required to wear a support garment 24 hours a day for three weeks, and then only during the daytime for the following three weeks. Massaging these areas as much as three to four times a day is also very helpful. It is normally expected for the skin to become dry and itchy after surgery. Massaging with heavy lotion and skin moisturizer is essential. You do not need expensive creams to do so – Vaseline, Vitamin E, or any kind of greasy lotion will do. It’s the grease that does the trick! It is good, when possible, to have your spouse or significant other to perform the massage. This helps to accustom a couple to your new look, and to reduce any trepidation that you may both be feeling.

Change in Skin Sensation- The area of abdomen, pubic area, flanks, and parts of the thighs do become numb, after this surgery. This usually resolves gradually over three to eight months, but you can have residual permanent loss of sensation or even hyper-sensitivity in some areas.
Itching, tenderness, or exaggerated responses to hot or cold temperatures may occur after Tummy Tuck, Body Lift, or Thigh Lift, but is usually short-lived and can be alleviated by moisturizing, medication, and massage.
Sutures- Most surgical techniques use deep sutures, which might spontaneously poke through the skin, become visible, or produce irritation that might require removal.

Skin Contour Irregularities- Contour and shape irregularities and depressions may occur after a tummy tuck, body lift, or thigh lift. Residual skin irregularities at the ends of the incision or “dog ears” are always possible as is skin pleating when there is excessive redundant skin. These do usually improve with massage over time, but may require surgical correction.

Fat Necrosis- As your tissues heal after surgery, sometime, some of the deeper skin fat might die. Usually, this is of no consequence, but sometimes it might produce areas of firmness or contour irregularities.

Pubic Distortion- One of the benefits of Tummy tuck and Body Lift is the lifting and flattening of the protruding and sagging pubic skin. Rarely, women develop distortion of their labia and pubic area. Usually, this corrects itself, but sometimes corrective surgery is required.

Asymmetry- Most patients have differences between the right and left sides of their body before any surgery is performed, and surgery might not be able to correct that. Therefore, even after a Tummy Tuck or Body Lift, there may not be perfect symmetry in the body’s appearance. Factors such as skin tone, fatty deposits, skeletal prominence, and muscle tone may contribute to normal asymmetry in body features.

Wound Separation & Delayed Healing- Wound disruption or delayed wound healing is possible. Some areas of the surgical incision in the flank, back, or buttock may not heal normally and may take weeks to heal. Some areas of the skin may even die. This may require frequent dressing changes or surgery to remove the non-healed tissue and to close the wounds secondarily. Smokers and those with diabetes, multiple medical problems, and severe obesity have a greater risk of skin loss and wound healing complications.

Seroma- Fluid accumulations frequently occur between the skin and the abdominal wall, legs, flanks, back, or buttocks. Dr. Younai, as well as, many other plastic surgeons routinely use drains in these areas in order to remove excess fluid. If you develop seroma, it can easily be drained in the doctor’s office.

Umbilicus- Malposition, scarring, unacceptable appearance or loss of the umbilicus or belly button may occur.

Allergic Reactions- In rare cases, local allergies to tape, suture material and glue, blood products, topical preparations or injected agents have been reported. Serious systemic reactions including shock (anaphylaxis) may occur from drugs used during surgery and prescription medications. Allergic reactions may require additional treatments.

“Blood Clots” (Deep Venous Thrombosis, Cardiac & Pulmonary Complications). Lengthy procedures may be associated with the formation of, or increase in, blood clots in the veins in the legs while you are immobilized, with the risk that they will travel to other parts of your body, including your lungs. Pulmonary embolism can be life threatening or fatal in some circumstances. You can reduce this risk by moving as soon as possible following your surgery. It is important to discuss with your surgeon any past history of blood clots, swollen legs or the use of estrogen or birth control pills that may contribute to this condition. After surgery, if you experience shortness of breath, chest pain, or an irregular heartbeat, notify your doctor and seek medical attention immediately. Treatment of this complication may require hospitalization and additional treatments.

Damage to Deeper Structures- As with any surgery there is a rare potential for injury to deeper structures including, nerves, blood vessels, muscles, and lungs (pneumothorax). Treatment may require further surgery and hospitalization.

Shock- In rare circumstances, your surgical procedure can cause severe trauma, particularly when multiple or extensive procedures are performed. Although serious complications are infrequent, infections or excessive fluid loss can lead to severe illness and even death. If surgical shock occurs, hospitalization and additional treatments would be necessary.

Unsatisfactory Result
Although good aesthetic results are expected, there is no guarantee or warranty expressed or implied that these results may be obtained. A person might be disappointed with the results of their surgery, due to asymmetry, unsatisfactory or highly visible surgical scar location, unacceptable visible deformities, bunching and rippling. The skin near the suture lines or at the ends of the incisions (dog ears), may experience poor healing, wound disruption, and loss of sensation. It may not be possible to correct or improve the effects of surgical scars. Additional surgery may be required to improve results.

Difference between a Tummy Tuck & Body Lift in Beverly Hills & Los Angeles

Tummy Tuck only corrects the looseness and redundancy of the abdomen. Body Lift combines a Tummy Tuck with the lifting and tightening of the redundant back skin folds, the sagging buttocks and the outer thighs.
Therefore, a Body Lift is a more extensive procedure, with the goal of lifting and tightening the entire lower body. Most people with loose abdominal skin or even with some sagging of the buttocks can be treated with an extended Tummy Tuck or a High Tension Tummy Tuck. For those who, as a result of massive weight loss, develop an abundance of lower body skin excess with sagging of the buttocks and outer thighs are better served with a Body Lift.


Is the Incision for a Body Lift Larger than for Abdominoplasty?

The incision of a body lift extends farther than the incision for Abdominoplasty – past the hips to the back, like a belt. Because of this some people call a Body Lift a “Belt Lipectomy.” A Belt Lipectomy, however, does not lift the buttock and only removes excess skin folds.

Answers to every questions you have about Tummy Tuck in Beverly Hills

Do I have to lose weight before undergoing a Tummy Tuck?

It is wise to have reached an ideal body weight before undergoing a Tummy Tuck. However, we do not live in an “ideal” world. Therefore, you can have your remaining excess abdominal and body fat removed either before, or during, a Tummy Tuck, with Liposuction – provided that you plan to maintain your weight and stay healthy.


Can a smoker undergo Tummy Tuck or Body Lift surgery?

NO. Patients who are currently smoking, use tobacco products, or nicotine products (patch, gum, or nasal spray) are at a greater risk for significant surgical complications. These complications include skin death, delayed healing, and additional scarring. Individuals exposed to second-hand smoking are also at potential risk for similar complications attributable to nicotine exposure. In addition, smoking can have a negative effect on anesthesia and post-anesthesia recovery, with increased coughing and possibly bleeding. Therefore, you need to refrain from smoking at least several weeks before and after your surgery.


Can I Undergo a Tummy Tuck If I Have Diabetes, or Other Chronic Conditions?

Men and women who have chronic health conditions, such as thyroid disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and arthritis can still undergo Abdominoplasty – provided that their conditions have been successfully optimized by their physician. Even as a commonly performed cosmetic procedure, a Tummy Tuck is still major surgery, and must be treated as such in all cases. A responsible plastic surgeon will perform blood tests, and take a comprehensive medical history to assure that all risks of surgery are minimized.


Can I Become Pregnant Again Following a Tummy Tuck?

In most cases, women considering a Tummy Tuck should not be planning additional pregnancies. Although it is possible to have more children following a Tummy Tuck, another pregnancy could impact your Tummy Tuck outcome, and lead to the need to have your abdomen “re-tightened.” Therefore, a responsible cosmetic surgeon will advise you that it is preferable to be satisfied with the size of your family before undergoing a Tummy Tuck.


Does a Tummy Tuck Get Rid of Stretch Marks?

There are no creams, or laser treatments that can erase stretch marks. However, because an Abdominoplasty removes most of the stretched out skin below the level of the navel, it does get rid of most of your stretch marks -- at least those on the abdomen.