The success and safety of the surgical procedure largely depends on your sincerity during the consultation. You will be asked about your health, desires and lifestyle.

• The reason why you want to undergo surgery, your expectations and the desired result;
• The surgical options available;
• Medical conditions, drug allergies and medical treatment;
• Current use of medication, vitamins, natural medicines, tobacco, alcohol and drugs;
• Previous surgeries.

• Assess your general health status and any pre-existing health conditions or risk factors;
• Examine and measure your body;
• Take photographs for medical records;
• Discuss your options and recommend the most suitable one;
• Discuss the possible results of the surgery and any potential risks or complications.

Before surgery, it may be necessary to:

• Take laboratory tests or medical evaluation,
• Take certain medications or adjust current medications,
• Quit smoking well in advance of surgery,
• Avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatories and natural medicines, as they can increase bleeding.

• What to do on the day of surgery (fasting time, medications, bath),
• Information on the type of anesthesia to be performed during the surgical procedure,
• Guidance on post-operative care.

The procedure must be carried out in a safe and comfortable place for the doctor and patient, in a surgical center authorized by the Health Surveillance, with equipment and trained staff for any complications.

The decision to undergo the surgical procedure is personal and it is you who must decide whether the benefits will achieve your goals and whether the risks and potential complications are acceptable. Your plastic surgeon and/or team will explain, in detail, the risks associated with the surgery.

You will be asked to sign the consent form to ensure that you fully understand the procedure you will undergo and any potential risks or complications.

• Unfavorable scars;
• Bleeding (bruise);
• Infection;
• Accumulation of fluid (seroma);
• Poor healing;
• Skin necrosis;
• Numbness or other changes in skin sensitivity;
• Anesthetic risks;
• Skin depigmentation and/or prolonged swelling;
• Adipose tissue necrosis (fat necrosis);
• Dehiscence (reopening of a previously opened wound);
• Asymmetry;
• Recurrent sagging of the skin;
• Pain, which may last;
• Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications;
• Persistent swelling in the legs;
• Possibility of a new surgical procedure (touch-up);
• Suture threads may spontaneously emerge from the skin, becoming visible or causing irritation that requires their removal.

Before deciding to undergo surgery, weight loss must be stabilized. Women considering future pregnancies should delay the procedure, as pregnancy may minimize the results.

• Individuals with significant soft tissue laxity in one or more areas of the body;
• Healthy individuals who do not have medical conditions that could impair healing or increase the risk of surgery;
• Non smokers;
• Individuals with a positive attitude and realistic expectations of the surgical result;
• Individuals committed to leading a healthy lifestyle, including proper nutrition and fitness.

It is important that you ask all your questions directly to the plastic surgeon about the procedure you will undergo. It is natural to feel a little anxiety, to have expectations about the result or pre-operative stress. Don't be shy about discussing these feelings with your plastic surgeon.

Surgical procedure

Step 1 – Anesthesia

Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedure. Options include intravenous sedation and general anesthesia. Your doctor will recommend the best option for you.

Step 2 – Incision

The incision length and pattern will depend on the amount and location of excess skin to be removed, as well as personal preference and the surgeon's judgment. A complete body lifttreats the buttocks, abdomen, waist, hips and thighs in one procedure. A circular incision around the body removes the apron of excess skin and fat and repositions and defines the tissues.

A combination of liposuction and surgical facelift may be necessary to obtain a better contour. Deep supportive sutures in the underlying tissues help form the newly shaped contours.

Step 3 – Closing the Incisions

Sutures and adhesives close skin incisions

Step 4 – Results

The results of a body lift are visible almost immediately. It may take up to 1-2 years for the final results to fully appear.

After the procedure is complete, mesh or bandages will be applied to the incisions. A drain may be temporarily placed under the skin to drain any excess blood and fluid that may accumulate.

How to care for the surgical wound and drains, medications to take orally to help reduce the potential for infection, specific care for the surgery site, your health status, and post-operative follow-up with your plastic surgeon.

• Where will I remain in recovery after the surgery ends?
• What medication will I be given or prescribed after surgery?
• Will dressings be necessary after surgery? When will they be removed?
• Will the stitches be removed? When?
• When will I be able to resume my normal activities and exercise?
• When will the return appointment be?

If you experience shortness of breath, chest pains, or an abnormal heartbeat, seek medical attention immediately. If any of these complications occur, you may need hospitalization and additional treatment. The practice of medicine and surgery is not an exact science. Although good results are expected, there is no guarantee. In some situations, it may not be possible to achieve the best results with a single surgical procedure, requiring a new surgery.

Following your doctor's recommendations is essential for the success of the surgery. It is important that surgical incisions are not subjected to excessive force, abrasion, or movement during the healing time.

The results of the body lift are visible almost immediately. However, it may take up to 1-2 years or more for the final results of the procedures to fully appear. Maintaining the result depends on your maintaining a stable weight and good shape, your skin type and hereditary characteristics. As the body ages, it is natural to lose some firmness over time.

Cost is always a consideration in elective surgery. A surgeon's fees may vary depending on their experience and the type of procedure performed.

• Surgeon's fees;
• Hospital or surgical center costs;
• Anesthetist's fees;
• Prescribed medications;
• Post-operative and mesh;
• Medical exams.

• Abdominoplasty: Surgical procedure to correct excess skin on the abdomen (apron).
• Circumferential incision: Surgical incision around the body to remove the “belt” of excess skin and fat and additional incisions.
• Circumferential thigh lift : Surgical procedure to correct sagging thigh.
• General anesthesia: Drugs and/or gases used during surgery to relieve pain and reduce consciousness.
• Hematoma: Accumulation of blood beneath the skin.
• Intravenous sedation: Sedatives given by injection into a vein to help you relax.
• Liposuction: Procedure that suctions fat from beneath the surface of the skin to reduce volume.
• Local anesthesia: Drug injected directly into the site of an incision during surgery to relieve pain.
• Lower body lift: Surgical procedure to correct sagging of the abdomen, buttocks, groin and outer thighs.
• Medial thigh lift: Surgical procedure to correct sagging of the inner thigh.
• Sutures: Stitches used by surgeons to hold skin and tissue together.

Use this list as a guide during your consultation:

• Are you a specialist by the Brazilian Society of Plastic Surgery?
• Have you been specifically trained in the field of Plastic Surgery?
• How many years of plastic surgery training have you had?
• Is the installation of the surgical center in your clinic authorized by the Health Surveillance?
• Am I a good candidate for this procedure?
• What is expected of me so that the best results are obtained?
• Where and how will the procedure be performed?
• Which surgical technique is recommended for me?
• How long can I expect to recover, and what kind of help will I need during my recovery?
• What are the risks and complications associated with my procedure?
• How are complications treated?
• What will my body look like over time? After pregnancy?
• What are my options if I am unhappy with the aesthetic result?