Body Lift Surgery
After massive weight loss it is inevitable that skin will begin to sag, the reasons for which are numerous. These include simple aging, as well as pregnancy, weight loss, and genetic tendencies. There are many procedures, the purpose of whom is to remove excess skin from a specific area of the body. The body lift, however, enables large amounts of excess skin to be removed circumferentially from around the body. There are several aspects of the body lift procedure which include the lift of the lower body, the upper body, the breast, and the arm.
Who is a Good Candidate for Surgery?
The surgery has become increasingly common, particularly in patients who have experienced a large amount of weight loss as a result of a gastric bypass, which has itself increased in popularity. During the gastric bypass procedure, the stomach is either stapled or banded. This creates a small pouch in the stomach which prevents a person from consuming large amounts of food. The result is typically significant, rapid weight loss. Because those who receive the gastric bypass surgery are usually quite overweight, the loss of weight will often leave large amounts of excess skin in the area. The body lift is able to remove this excess skin thereby producing a trimmer, tighter appearance.
The lift of the lower body is perhaps one of the most popular parts of the body lift. This procedure combines the abdominoplasty procedure with both a thigh as well as buttock lift. The procedure lifts and tightens the skin of the lower body while removing any excess fat. The procedure also tightens the wall of the stomach and resuspends the Superficial Fascia Suspension System (SFS), which is responsible for elevating the tissues of the body, providing a more youthful appearance to the patient’s figure. The end result of the procedure is a tighter appearance in the buttocks, the abdomen, the lower back, the hips, and the thighs.
Since the procedure consists of so many different aspects, the operation is conducted in three separate stages. During stage one and two of the body lift, the patient will be required to lie on his or her side. While the patient is in this position, excess skin and fat can be removed from the hips, buttocks, back and thighs. The abdominoplasty or “tummy tuck” is then performed during the final stage. The performing surgeon takes special care to make the incisions in areas that can be easily concealed by underwear and swim suits. However, it is important for patients to be aware that scarring is inevitable after the body lift procedure. Because of the extent of the procedure, the patients are always placed under general anaesthesia and, depending on the extent of skin and fat to be removed, the operation can take between three to seven hours to complete. After the surgery, the surgeon will use dissolving sutures that are buried beneath the skin to close the incisions. This provides a number of benefits including no visible stitch marks as well as allowing the patient to heal without having to return to have the sutures removed.
Body Lift Surgery Recovery
Because of the vast area that is affected by the surgery, it is required that patients remain in the hospital under observation for between two to four days after the completion of the procedure. Day-to-day activities can typically be resumed within four to six weeks. As mentioned before, the scars can typically be easily concealed under undergarments. However, it is typical for scars to be red and raised directly following the procedure but they will usually fade greatly between six to twelve months after the surgery.
It is important for individuals to be aware that the body lift should not be misconstrued as a weight loss tactic. The goal of the procedure is to elevate the tissues not to remove large amounts of fat. Patients should also keep in mind that weight loss after the procedure will add to loose skin and so weight should be stabilized prior to the operation. After weight loss, it typically takes between six and eighteen months for the appearance of the skin and tissue to stabilize. Therefore, surgeons will often discourage the procedure from being performed until after this time has elapsed.
It is important that all patients, before the surgery, have realistic goals and accurate knowledge of what to expect as a result of the procedure. Individuals need to be in generally good health and cannot suffer from health problems such as difficulties in healing or conditions which would contribute to excessive post operative bleeding or bruising. Also, as mentioned previously, patients who have a high body mass index (BMI) or a body fat percentage over a certain level should most certainly consider weight loss options before deciding to receive the surgery. One of the ways in which surgeons test whether or not a patient is a good candidate is to have them lie on their back. If the stomach protrudes past the rib cage, weight loss prior to the procedure will most likely be recommended.
Side Affects and Complications
As with any procedure, there are a risk of side effects and complications. The most common side effects after a body lift procedure are the separation of the skin due to tight suturing, the loss of sensation in the areas where incisions were made, and seroma or the build up of fluid in the areas in and around the wounds. Fortunately, these can all be treated by the surgeon following the operation. Some other complications, although much more rare, are infection in the areas of operation as well as hematoma or pooling of the blood. This typically is able to be resolved without treatment although it may become necessary for the area to be drained. Also, some individuals have difficulty healing in a timely manner. This occurs especially seen in smokers and can be mitigated by the ceasing of smoking both before and after the operation.
Our Practices
Mr Fourie practices at Nuffield Health Hospital, Leeds, conveniently situated in the city centre near Leeds General Infirmary and at Barnsley Medical Consulting Rooms in central Barnsley.
Cosmetic Surgery Procedures
Mr LeRoux Fourie offers a wide range of cosmetic surgery and non surgical treatments and below is a brief outline of each
Inverted Nipple Correction
Many women find their nipples to be a great cause of embarrassment as they do not project past the breast and remain inverted. Mr Fourie is able to correct this problem using a quick and reliable treatment that can be done in as little as thirty minutes
Prominent Ear Correction
Although having prominent ears typically causes no physical discomfort as such they can sometimes lead to a lack of self-confidence and be on the receiving end of cruel jokes. Sometimes just one ear is the problem but usually both will be pinned back. It is also possible to perform other types of ear surgery to the lobes depending on the complexity of the case.
Male Breast Reduction
Gynecomastia is the medical term for male breasts and can be a very humiliating condition for men and can make them very self-conscious. Because of this, some individuals decide to undergo a male breast reduction procedure in order to remove the excess tissue and, occasionally, even skin from the area of the breasts.
Liposuction / Liposculpture / Body-Jet Lipo
You can now experience the latest advancements in cosmetic surgery with the revolutionary Body-Jet Water-jet assisted liposuction procedure. The gentle water jet washes away the fat without damaging the underlying structures such as the blood vessels and nerves which means less recovery time and bruising.
Non Surgical Treatments
Antiwrinkle Injections
It is inevitable that as we age lines and wrinkles will become visible and to some this is of concern. Lines around our eyes can develop as can lines on the forehead. The prescription injection treatment we all know as BOTOX® is now formally approved for cosmetic use and is called a new name which is VISTABEL®. VISTABEL® is a treatment that is used to relax the frown lines that can trouble our forehead as well as crows feet which can develop around the eyes.
Excessive Sweating
Our body uses sweating to help control body temperature and is normal human function however some people suffer from excessive sweating which can lead to severe embarrassment and anxiety. Following a consultation if your suitable we can provide a treatment that will prevent your excessive sweating that involves BOTOX® being injection into your arm pit.
DermaRoller
Genuine Dermaroller™ Therapy™ can offer a significant improvement in appearance for those who suffer from acne scars, sun damaged skin, fine lines and wrinkles and stretch marks. The DermaRoller procedure stimulates your skin to help with the regeneration and repair of itself and is a natural and safe way to create smoother, brighter and healthy skin.
Fillers
Dermal fillers can be used for many different non surgical enhancements and anti ageing treatments. They can be used for lip enhancement to create subtly increase the volume of the lips, smoothing lines around the lips, nose and cheeks as well as many other areas of the face and body to improve the appearance of the skin.
Mole Removal
It is very common for moles, lesions or cysts and can appear in many different places on the face and body. Sometimes they can be in a prominent position which can cause frustration or self awareness. Mr Fourie is able to assist in many different types of these problems and would be happy to perform many of these in the minor theatre or treatment room if he is able.
Mr Fourie
About Mr Le Roux Fourie
Mr Le Roux Fourie is a Cosmetic and Reconstructive Plastic Surgeon based in West Yorkshire. Mr Fourie was born and raised in South Africa and underwent his medical and post graduate training in South Africa, obtaining his basic Medical Degree in 1979. Thereafter he served as a Medical Officer in the South African Defence Force Medical Corp, before starting training as a registrar in Plastic Surgery at the University of Stellenbosch in CapeTown. He qualified as a Plastic Surgeon in 1987 and was appointed a Consultant Plastic Surgeon at Number One Military Hospital in Pretoria, where he served as full-time Consultant for three years reaching the rank of a Lieutenant Colonel.
In 1991 and 1992 he was in full-time Cosmetic Surgery Practice in Pretoria.
In 1993 Mr Fourie joined the Department of Plastic Surgery and Burns at Pinderfields General Hospital as the second consultant to be appointed after the tragic murder of the two previous Plastic Surgeons. He helped establish the current Department of Plastic Surgery from two members to the current seven consultants. During his time in Pinderfields General Hospital he established a Breast Reconstructive Surgery Service, which works mostly with the Breast Surgeons in dealing with primary breast reconstructions and delayed breast reconstructions after breast cancer.
Mr Fourie has been in part-time Private Cosmetic Surgery Practice in Methley Park Hospital, Nr Leeds since 1993.
Since April 2008 Mr Fourie has been in full-time Private Cosmetic Surgery Practice in Methley Park Hospital.
Special Interests
Mr Fourie is an experienced Breast Surgeon dealing with congenital breast problems, acquired breast problems such as breast reconstructions after cancer surgery (both immediate and delayed) and cosmetic breast surgery.
He has published articles regarding nipple areola reconstruction and has developed a tattooing technique which is now used by Cosmetic Tattooists in the UK.
He has been involved with the Allergan Implant Corporation in a ten year follow-up study of the long term effects of silicone breast implants which was published in the International Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
Mr Fourie further specialises in Facial Aesthetic Surgery and is one of the first surgeons to use the MACS (Minimum Access Cranial Suspension) face lift technique in the UK in October 2002. His long term results using the MACS face lift were presented at the Summer Meeting of the British Association of Plastic Surgeons in Dublin in 2005.
Publications and Presentations
Mr Fourie was awarded the BAPRAS prize for the best clinical paper read at the British Association of Plastic and Reconstructive Anaesthetic Surgeons Summer Meeting in Windsor in 2005.
He was awarded the BAAPS prize for the best paper read at the 2007 Conference in London. The Hackett Prize for the best paper at the BAAPS Conference 2007 was awarded to Mr Fourie.
Mr Fourie has lectured on nipple areola reconstruction and tattooing techniques, the treatment of pressure sores, wound infections and wound problems, facial aesthetic surgery and body contour surgery.
Mr Fourie has appeared in the Discovery Channels series on cosmetic surgery. He also featured on BBC's Inside Out in October 2007.
Mr Fourie has published papers in International Peer Review Journals on topics such as Breast Reconstruction, Breast Implants, Cosmetic Breast Surgery, Nipple Reconstruction and Facial Plastic Surgery
Charity Work
Mr Fourie does voluntary charity work in Africa as part of the Facing Africa Team involved in the treatment of noma (www.facingafrica.org). This is based at Yakatit 12 Hospital in Addis Abbaba, Ethiopia where reconstructions are done on patients suffering from Noma
Qualifications
MBCHB.
FCS (SA) PLAST
FRCS
BAPRAS (British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons)
BAAPS (British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons)
BAHNO (British Association of Head and Neck Oncologists)
GMC Specialist Register - Registered as a Specialist Plastic Surgeon on GMC full registration. The GMC registration is 3633562.
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