During a panniculectomy, the surgeon removes excess skin and fat of the pannus, the lower stomach area that hangs below the belt line, before pulling the remaining skin tight and suturing it together.

What Can I Expect During and After the Procedure?

Your physician will provide you with detailed information about your procedure, but in general:

• You will be under general anesthesia, so you won't feel pain during the surgery.
• The procedure takes one to two hours, and you will go home the same day.
• The surgeon will make a horizontal incision from hip to hip and possibly a vertical incision from the sternum to pubic area before removing fat and skin and suturing the remaining skin.
• During the first few days, you'll likely experience some pain, swelling and bruising. Your doctor will develop a care plan to get you through your recovery safely and comfortably.
• Initially, you will need to sponge bathe and wear a support garment; avoid strenuous activity for a few weeks; and take a couple of weeks off from work. Drainage tubes are frequently used and generally removed in one to two weeks. Scarring will fade over time.

In a traditional neck lift, the surgeon will tighten excess skin from the neck to diminish wrinkling and sagging. Some fat may be removed and underlying muscles and connective tissue will be tightened.

What Can I Expect During and After the Procedure?

Your physician will provide you with detailed information about your procedure, but in general:

• You will be under intravenous sedation or general anesthesia.
• The surgeon will make an incision in the hairline at the level of the side burn and then down and around the ear.
• Fat may be sculpted or redistributed from the jowls and neck, tissue underlying the neck skin will be repositioned, and the platysma muscle will be tightened.
• The surgeon will re-drape skin over the uplifted contours and trim away excess.
• A separate incision under the chin is often necessary for liposuction of this area and for repair of the muscle.
• A bandage around your face and neck will minimize swelling and bruising as well as a thin tube to drain any excess blood or fluid.
• You will be given specific instructions about how to care for the surgical site, medications to apply or take and when to follow up with your plastic surgeon.
• Keep your head elevated above your heart to minimize swelling.

In a brachioplasty, or arm lift, the surgeon will firm and reshape the upper arm from the elbow to the shoulder by removing sagging skin and fat.

What Can I Expect During and After the Procedure?

Your physician will provide you with detailed information about your procedure, but in general:

• The surgeon will make a small incision near the armpit and perform liposuction to remove excess fat. For a regular brachioplasty, the surgeon will make a longer incision that stretches from the elbow past the armpit, perform liposuction, and remove and tighten excess skin.
• You may receive local anesthesia and sedation or general anesthesia, and the procedure lasts one to three hours.
• You will have a drainage tube for each arm, removed in about a week.
• Some swelling is normal and will subside over a week or two, and pain is usually minimal. Ask your surgeon how long to refrain from exercise and if you'll need to wear a compression garment.

During a lower body or thigh lift, your surgeon can tighten loose sagging skin in the abdomen, buttocks, posterior thighs, hips, outer thighs and anterior thighs.

What Can I Expect During and After the Procedure?

Your physician will provide you with detailed information about your procedure, but in general:

• The surgeon will make incisions from the back around to the front of thighs to allow excess skin and fat tissue to be removed. The surgeon will use remaining tissue to stretch and smooth the lower body.
• This can be an outpatient procedure.
• You will need to wear a compression garment for a few weeks after the surgery, and your surgeon may recommend that you follow a special diet.
• You'll also need to take at least two weeks off of work, restrict normal activity for four to six weeks and avoid exercise for six to eight weeks.
• Scarring will be permanent but will fade over time.