Losing a significant amount of weight can be a tremendous achievement. All that sweat, hard work, and discipline finally pays off when you step on the scale and see the number you’ve been dreaming about for years. However, weight loss can sometimes come with unexpected results, such as loose or excess skin that gives an unflattering appearance and stubborn fat that is resistant to diet and exercise.
These leftover reminders can hinder the confidence you’ve worked hard to achieve. This can happen whether you’ve lost weight through traditional means or as a result of bariatric surgery. No need to worry, though. Body lift procedures are a very common procedure we perform at JanigaMDs to help you take those final few steps to the body you’ve always wanted after massive weight loss.
Technically, body lift surgery is a combination of several body contouring procedures performed on various areas of the body where excess fat and loose skin are present. The procedure is generally categorized as upper or lower body lift surgery, both of which can be performed separately or combined to address excess skin and fat on multiple areas of the body.
For an upper body lift procedure, patients undergo an arm lift (also known as brachioplasty) and breast contouring through a breast lift (mastopexy). These two procedures can eliminate the look of sagging skin on the arms and give the breasts a rounder, perkier, and more youthful appearance.
A lower body lift is sometimes referred to as a belt lipectomy. This combined surgical procedure can include a tummy tuck (also known as anabdominoplasty), a thigh lift or leg lift, and a buttock lift (gluteoplasty). These procedures are used to remove excess skin and fat, tighten the abdominal muscles, and give the lower body a more contoured appearance.
During your initial consultation with Dr. Timothy Janiga, he’ll go over your expectations in full detail and explain the procedure. He’ll also give you a realistic prediction of your personal outcome and share before-and-after pictures from previous body lift surgery patients. Many patients benefit from body lift surgeries after undergoing significant weight loss, including weight loss after pregnancy. However, the body lift is not a weight loss procedure, and patients must be at a stable weight before surgery. Good candidates are also non-smokers, in overall good health, and have realistic expectations about their procedure.
Dr. Janiga performs body lifts in his JCAHO-accredited outpatient surgery center under general anesthesia. During the procedure, excess skin and fat are removed with a combination of liposuction and skin excision or skin removal. The remaining tissues are reshaped, and the overlying skin is carefully pulled tightly in place to accentuate the new body contours. A horizontal incision is typically made in the lower abdomen, along with incisions in the specific areas being treated. In all, the procedure takes about four hours with another two to three hours of recovery time.
Dr. Timothy Janiga is a board-certified plastic surgeon with over two decades of experience and countless patient success stories. His calm, expert, and meticulous approach has transformed the lives of both cosmetic and reconstruction patients, helping them feel good in their bodies. Dr. Janiga is an expert in all aspects of plastic surgery and specializes in cosmetic facial surgery, body contouring, and breast surgery.
After body lift surgery, patients will spend 2-3 hours in a recovery room, where they will be carefully monitored as they come out of anesthesia. Patients should arrange to have a close friend or family member drive them home and assist with daily chores and errands during the first few days of recovery. Prescription pain medication and compression garments will be provided to ease discomfort, minimize swelling, and help the tissues heal in their newly contoured positions.
You can expect some swelling and bruising for two to three weeks after your body lift. Strenuous activities, including heavy lifting, must be avoided during this time, but most patients return to work within 1-2 weeks. Swelling will gradually continue to reduce, revealing the final results of your procedures within nine months. Once you’ve recovered, you will see an overall improvement in body shape and tone, including a tighter, slimmer, more contoured waist, abdomen, upper thigh, and buttocks.
I have had an amazing experience as a patient with Dr. Janiga and his staff. I have been lucky to also have the opportunity to work with him. He is a very skilled surgeon and his results are incredible. Their scheduler, receptionists, nurses, all their staff are very knowledgeable and helpful.
My family and I have seen Dr. Jennifer Janiga many times. She is knowledgeable, caring and honest. Dr. Tim Janiga has cared for me several times and I feel very confident in his skills. They both seem like they are genuinely interested in their patients. They are both very nice people and fine physicians.
Dr. Jennifer is an excellent physician. I could not have been more happy with my time with her. I’ve seen Dr. Jennifer twice — and in both occurrences she truly listened to my concerns. The treatment she provided was excellent and effective. As long as she is practicing in Reno, I will be her patient!
Choosing JanigaMDs for your body lift means choosing a practice rooted in surgical expertise, personalized care, and a long history of recognized excellence. JanigaMDs has garnered praise as a leading plastic surgery center in Northern Nevada, as the only office in the region that combines a board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Timothy Janiga, with a board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Jennifer Janiga, under one roof. This multidisciplinary approach allows for comprehensive planning tailored to your unique anatomy and goals, ensuring that a body lift is both aesthetically refined and medically sound.
Dr. Timothy Janiga has over two decades of experience in plastic and reconstructive surgery, including body contouring procedures like the upper and lower body lift. He trained at the prestigious University of Michigan and continues to serve as a Clinical Associate Professor of Surgery at the University of Nevada School of Medicine, blending academic rigor with real-world skill. Dr. Janiga’s commitment to outstanding outcomes has earned him multiple honors, including “Top Doctor in Nevada” awards, repeated recognition as one of the 10 Best Plastic Surgeons in Nevada for client satisfaction, NAOPS Top 10 Plastic Surgeon, and inclusion among America’s Most Honored Professionals – Top 5%. These accolades reflect not just technical proficiency but a passion for patient-centered care and commitment to creating great patient experiences.
From Dr. Janiga’s surgical expertise and patient-focused philosophy to the practice’s reputation for exceptional results, JanigaMDs stands out as a top choice for body lift procedures grounded in skill, integrity, and award-winning care.
For more information or to set up a consultation with Dr. Timothy Janiga for your body lift in our Reno plastic surgery offices, please send us an email or call 775-364-0224.
JanigaMDs is the only practice in Reno where patients can consult with both a board-certified dermatologist and a board-certified plastic surgeon in one visit.
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Founded in 2010, the team at JanigaMDs has been proven to provide the utmost care for all patients. With a 4.7 rating over almost 700 reviews, JanigaMDs is the premier aesthetic practice in Northern Nevada.
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