Body contouring
Circumferential Body Lift
Abdominoplasty and Body Lifts in Leesburg, VA
The circumferential body lift combines an abdominoplasty with a lower body lift to lift.
The main goals of the procedure are to tighten the sagging skin of the abdomen in the front as well as to tighten and lift the sagging skin of the buttock and lateral thighs of the back.
The most common patient is a patient who is either overweight or who has lost a tremendous amount of weight.
These patients will have sagging skin and fat that exists not only in the front of the abdomen, but extends around to the flanks, lower back, and buttocks.
About Circumferential Body Lift
The circumferential body lift is designed to circumferentially tighten the tissue of both the front and the back-side. The procedure ( also called a total body lift ) combines an abdominoplasty with a lower body lift.
Typically, a patient who loses a large amount of weight will develop loose sagging skin in the abdomen as well as the thighs and buttock. The circumferential lift uses a circumferential incision that extends completely around a patient. This incision allows the tissue of the abdomen to be pulled town while elevating the tissue of the buttocks and lateral thighs.
An abdominoplasty addresses just the abdomen. A lower body lift addresses the buttock and lateral thighs. A circumferential body lift combines the two procedures to address the sagging skin of the abdomen, buttocks and lateral thighs.
I limit all of my cosmetic procedures to approximately 6 hours for safety reasons. A circumferential body lift takes approximately 3 to 4 hours. This leaves about 2 to 3 hours for the addition of another procedure. Common additional procedures include a breast augmentation or lift, an arm lift, or labiaplasty.
All scars take approximately 12-18 months to fade to their optimal ability
- application of a protective surgical tape on your incision for the first 1-2 weeks after your procedure. The surgical tape protects the incision from the outside environment while also maintaining a lubricating environment for your scar.
- Apply a lubricating scar ointment ( we use biocorneum) for the next 1-3 months. Ideally the ointment contains vitamin E, silicates, sunblock, and a gentle steroid. Our preference is biocorneum because it contains all of these elements in an easy to use pump applicator.
- Apply a silicone sheet for the 1-3 after surgery. Many patients will just use the sheet at night and use the ointment during the day.
- Steroid injection into the scar if it remains raised after 6 months
- Profractional laser remodeling if it remains raised or conspicuous after 6 months.
- All patients will wear a compression garment for about 4 weeks.
- Final results should not be expected for at least 6 months to a year. Over that time, your tissue will change dramatically so you will have to be extremely patient; swelling will decrease dramatically
- Scars will not be at their best appearance for over a year
- Sutures if any are removed in 10 to 14 days
- Strenuous exercise should also be avoided for 4 weeks to help in the recovery process.
- Apply aquaphor ointment to exposed sutures and incisions should be applied twice a day until the sutures are removed
- Most patients will take 10-14 days off of work
- Pain can initially be moderate to severe
The most common and significant problems associated with a thigh lifts are widening and visibility of the scars, delayed wound healing or tissue necrosis, and some recurrence. This is because of the thin quality of the skin of the medial thigh as well as the constant pull of gravity on the scar.
Other complications are rare but can include:
Local bleeding or bruising
- Infection particularly from the absorbable sutures
- Loss of sensation although rare
- Widened or thickened scar
- Asymmetry (unevenness between two sides)
- Delayed wound healing with skin or tissue necrosis
- Extra skin at the ends of the incisions
- Under-correction
- Over-correction
Unsatisfactory results that may require additional procedures. Patients will generally be responsible for any associated facility fees.
Losing weight can almost immediately reduce your medical risk factors. Patients report that they immediately feel better.
The consequence, however, is an abrupt change in their physical appearance. In particular, the skin that was stretched by the weight gain has lost much of its elasticity and will not shrink down to properly envelope the body again. The skin of the breast, abdomen, arms, thighs, buttocks, and even face will sag.
Treatment of tremendous weight loss patients is directed at re-tailoring the skin to fit the new body frame.
Some potential procedures include:
- Breast lift, breast augmentation, breast reduction, or combination
- Abdominoplasty
- Total body lift (also known as a circumferential body lift)
- Thigh lift
- Arm lift
- Face and/or neck lift
Insurance will often pay for bariatric surgeries such as gastric bypass, gastric stapling, or gastric banding. This is because obesity is known to be responsible for highly expensive medical problems including diabetes, hypertension, congestive heart failure, and obesity-related infections.
On the other hand, medical insurance is very reluctant to pay for cosmetic procedures after tremendous weight loss; it is their stance that the excess skin that results after the fat is removed is not a “medical necessity” that they should be responsible for. This is not to say that they would refuse to do so. It always depends upon your policy.
Limitations to how many procedures you can have at the same time revolve completely around being able to perform the cosmetic surgeries safely. Factors that contribute to safety include the duration of the procedure and the potential for blood loss.
According to recommendations from the American Board of Plastic Surgeons, procedures should be limited to about 6 hours. The longer the procedure, the greater the degree of fluid shift, and the higher potential for blood pressure and clotting disorders.
In addition, surgical removal of tissue obviously increases blood loss. Blood loss in turn also increases the degree of fluid shifts and a higher potential for blood pressure problems during the surgery.
For safety reasons, cosmetic procedures for tremendous weight loss should be limited to about 6 hours and about 2-3 body areas (which is about how much can be completed in the 6 hour time frame).
It is very important to improve your health before any kind of surgery. It is even more relevant, however, when considering elective cosmetic surgery.
Some thoughts to consider:
Optimizing your weight loss:
Most patients will not complete and stabilize their weight loss for 6 months to a year after their weight loss surgery. You will want to be stable on your weight loss before undergoing a cosmetic reconstruction in order to optimize the amount of tissue that can be removed and tailored.
Optimize your nutrition:
Many patients will have problems with vitamin and nutrients absorption after weight loss surgery. You will also want to improve protein intake. Vitamins and and adequate protein are necessary to help you heal your incisions and fight infection after surgery. Some important labs to check include…
- Vitamin levels including B, C, and D
- Protein and albumin
- Iron
- Hemoglobin
Optimize your strength and endurance:
Patients will not be able to exercise for about 3-4 weeks after surgery. Optimizing strength and endurance will give you a cushion to tolerate the surgery.
While several vitamins, minerals and amino acids are used during healing, there are specific ones that are known to specifically support the normal response to healing, and to support the immune system’s response to infection.
Herbal supplements, in general, are to be avoided prior to surgery because they can cause bleeding or other operative complications. A few commonly taken herbal supplements to avoid are: Ginko Biloba, Garlic, Ginseng, Ginger, Dong Quai, Ephedra, Feverfew, St. John’s Wort, and/or Omega 3 fatty acids.
Vitamin E and surgery do not mix because Vitamin E is associated with increased bleeding, and this can lead to collection of blood (called a hematoma) which could result in serious complications. Most surgeons will instruct you to avoid Vitamin E before surgery, so it is important to check your dietary supplements/multivitamin carefully. After the surgery, your health care professional will likely indicate that Vitamin E is again acceptable.
- Surgery is not a one time deal.
- Delayed healing.
- Wound necrosis.
- Extra skin and dog ears.
Patients with:
- multiple medical problems,
- cardiac problems,
- a poor understanding of the risks involved,
- poor nutrition,
- or, continued obesity.
- Hematoma
- Seroma
- Blood loss
- Infection
- Nerve damage
- Blood clots
- Organ damage
- Scarring
- Dissatisfaction with appearance
- Anesthesia complications
The easiest way to reduce your weight before surgery is to engage in exercise such as walking, jogging or even cycling. You will also need to be willing to change your dietary habits to include fresh, whole foods and less processed foods and sugars. If you are not sure how to compile a healthy eating plan, your surgeon will either provide you with a basic plan or refer you to a dietician who will be able to assist you. Once you have followed the plan and engaged in exercise for a few weeks, your surgeon will reassess your current weight along with your surgery requirements and then operate accordingly.
If you have pre-existing health conditions, you will need to inform your plastic surgeon beforehand. Failure to do so could not only affect the outcome of your surgery; it could put your health at risk, especially if you suffer from bleeding or bruising disorders. It’s important to be wary of surgeons who claim to be able to perform ‘miracle’ surgery on you if you are heavily overweight, as there is no substitute for a healthy diet and exercise plan.
Obesity is an epidemic in the United States. It is fueled by the encouragement of overly processed carbohydrates by large companies (with government assistance) as well as taking in foods and drinks with high sugar content such as sodas, wine, and deserts regularly. The medical consequences of being overweight can be catastrophic, including: diabetes, high blood pressure, and a limited life expectancy.
About Circumferential Body Lift
The circumferential body lift is designed to circumferentially tighten the tissue of both the front and the back-side. The procedure ( also called a total body lift ) combines an abdominoplasty with a lower body lift.
Typically, a patient who loses a large amount of weight will develop loose sagging skin in the abdomen as well as the thighs and buttock. The circumferential lift uses a circumferential incision that extends completely around a patient. This incision allows the tissue of the abdomen to be pulled town while elevating the tissue of the buttocks and lateral thighs.
An abdominoplasty addresses just the abdomen. A lower body lift addresses the buttock and lateral thighs. A circumferential body lift combines the two procedures to address the sagging skin of the abdomen, buttocks and lateral thighs.
I limit all of my cosmetic procedures to approximately 6 hours for safety reasons. A circumferential body lift takes approximately 3 to 4 hours. This leaves about 2 to 3 hours for the addition of another procedure. Common additional procedures include a breast augmentation or lift, an arm lift, or labiaplasty.
All scars take approximately 12-18 months to fade to their optimal ability
- application of a protective surgical tape on your incision for the first 1-2 weeks after your procedure. The surgical tape protects the incision from the outside environment while also maintaining a lubricating environment for your scar.
- Apply a lubricating scar ointment ( we use biocorneum) for the next 1-3 months. Ideally the ointment contains vitamin E, silicates, sunblock, and a gentle steroid. Our preference is biocorneum because it contains all of these elements in an easy to use pump applicator.
- Apply a silicone sheet for the 1-3 after surgery. Many patients will just use the sheet at night and use the ointment during the day.
- Steroid injection into the scar if it remains raised after 6 months
- Profractional laser remodeling if it remains raised or conspicuous after 6 months.
- All patients will wear a compression garment for about 4 weeks.
- Final results should not be expected for at least 6 months to a year. Over that time, your tissue will change dramatically so you will have to be extremely patient; swelling will decrease dramatically
- Scars will not be at their best appearance for over a year
- Sutures if any are removed in 10 to 14 days
- Strenuous exercise should also be avoided for 4 weeks to help in the recovery process.
- Apply aquaphor ointment to exposed sutures and incisions should be applied twice a day until the sutures are removed
- Most patients will take 10-14 days off of work
- Pain can initially be moderate to severe
The most common and significant problems associated with a thigh lifts are widening and visibility of the scars, delayed wound healing or tissue necrosis, and some recurrence. This is because of the thin quality of the skin of the medial thigh as well as the constant pull of gravity on the scar.
Other complications are rare but can include:
Local bleeding or bruising
- Infection particularly from the absorbable sutures
- Loss of sensation although rare
- Widened or thickened scar
- Asymmetry (unevenness between two sides)
- Delayed wound healing with skin or tissue necrosis
- Extra skin at the ends of the incisions
- Under-correction
- Over-correction
Unsatisfactory results that may require additional procedures. Patients will generally be responsible for any associated facility fees.
Losing weight can almost immediately reduce your medical risk factors. Patients report that they immediately feel better.
The consequence, however, is an abrupt change in their physical appearance. In particular, the skin that was stretched by the weight gain has lost much of its elasticity and will not shrink down to properly envelope the body again. The skin of the breast, abdomen, arms, thighs, buttocks, and even face will sag.
Treatment of tremendous weight loss patients is directed at re-tailoring the skin to fit the new body frame.
Some potential procedures include:
- Breast lift, breast augmentation, breast reduction, or combination
- Abdominoplasty
- Total body lift (also known as a circumferential body lift)
- Thigh lift
- Arm lift
- Face and/or neck lift
Insurance will often pay for bariatric surgeries such as gastric bypass, gastric stapling, or gastric banding. This is because obesity is known to be responsible for highly expensive medical problems including diabetes, hypertension, congestive heart failure, and obesity-related infections.
On the other hand, medical insurance is very reluctant to pay for cosmetic procedures after tremendous weight loss; it is their stance that the excess skin that results after the fat is removed is not a “medical necessity” that they should be responsible for. This is not to say that they would refuse to do so. It always depends upon your policy.
Limitations to how many procedures you can have at the same time revolve completely around being able to perform the cosmetic surgeries safely. Factors that contribute to safety include the duration of the procedure and the potential for blood loss.
According to recommendations from the American Board of Plastic Surgeons, procedures should be limited to about 6 hours. The longer the procedure, the greater the degree of fluid shift, and the higher potential for blood pressure and clotting disorders.
In addition, surgical removal of tissue obviously increases blood loss. Blood loss in turn also increases the degree of fluid shifts and a higher potential for blood pressure problems during the surgery.
For safety reasons, cosmetic procedures for tremendous weight loss should be limited to about 6 hours and about 2-3 body areas (which is about how much can be completed in the 6 hour time frame).
It is very important to improve your health before any kind of surgery. It is even more relevant, however, when considering elective cosmetic surgery.
Some thoughts to consider:
Optimizing your weight loss:
Most patients will not complete and stabilize their weight loss for 6 months to a year after their weight loss surgery. You will want to be stable on your weight loss before undergoing a cosmetic reconstruction in order to optimize the amount of tissue that can be removed and tailored.
Optimize your nutrition:
Many patients will have problems with vitamin and nutrients absorption after weight loss surgery. You will also want to improve protein intake. Vitamins and and adequate protein are necessary to help you heal your incisions and fight infection after surgery. Some important labs to check include…
- Vitamin levels including B, C, and D
- Protein and albumin
- Iron
- Hemoglobin
Optimize your strength and endurance:
Patients will not be able to exercise for about 3-4 weeks after surgery. Optimizing strength and endurance will give you a cushion to tolerate the surgery.
While several vitamins, minerals and amino acids are used during healing, there are specific ones that are known to specifically support the normal response to healing, and to support the immune system’s response to infection.
Herbal supplements, in general, are to be avoided prior to surgery because they can cause bleeding or other operative complications. A few commonly taken herbal supplements to avoid are: Ginko Biloba, Garlic, Ginseng, Ginger, Dong Quai, Ephedra, Feverfew, St. John’s Wort, and/or Omega 3 fatty acids.
Vitamin E and surgery do not mix because Vitamin E is associated with increased bleeding, and this can lead to collection of blood (called a hematoma) which could result in serious complications. Most surgeons will instruct you to avoid Vitamin E before surgery, so it is important to check your dietary supplements/multivitamin carefully. After the surgery, your health care professional will likely indicate that Vitamin E is again acceptable.
- Surgery is not a one time deal.
- Delayed healing.
- Wound necrosis.
- Extra skin and dog ears.
Patients with:
- multiple medical problems,
- cardiac problems,
- a poor understanding of the risks involved,
- poor nutrition,
- or, continued obesity.
- Hematoma
- Seroma
- Blood loss
- Infection
- Nerve damage
- Blood clots
- Organ damage
- Scarring
- Dissatisfaction with appearance
- Anesthesia complications
The easiest way to reduce your weight before surgery is to engage in exercise such as walking, jogging or even cycling. You will also need to be willing to change your dietary habits to include fresh, whole foods and less processed foods and sugars. If you are not sure how to compile a healthy eating plan, your surgeon will either provide you with a basic plan or refer you to a dietician who will be able to assist you. Once you have followed the plan and engaged in exercise for a few weeks, your surgeon will reassess your current weight along with your surgery requirements and then operate accordingly.
If you have pre-existing health conditions, you will need to inform your plastic surgeon beforehand. Failure to do so could not only affect the outcome of your surgery; it could put your health at risk, especially if you suffer from bleeding or bruising disorders. It’s important to be wary of surgeons who claim to be able to perform ‘miracle’ surgery on you if you are heavily overweight, as there is no substitute for a healthy diet and exercise plan.
Obesity is an epidemic in the United States. It is fueled by the encouragement of overly processed carbohydrates by large companies (with government assistance) as well as taking in foods and drinks with high sugar content such as sodas, wine, and deserts regularly. The medical consequences of being overweight can be catastrophic, including: diabetes, high blood pressure, and a limited life expectancy.
Total or Circumferential Body Lift
Starts at $8000
- Price does not include facility fees
- Price listed is for one area and is dependant on size
- Procedure will take about 1-2 hours per area
- Your choice of local vs general anesthesia
- Most patients will want 3 to 7 days off work
- Multiple procedure are discounted
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Breast Augmentation and Tummy Tuck (abdominoplasty) Live Surgery by Dr. Chang
Surgical technique video showing how Dr. Chang do a mommy makeover. Video includes a breast augmentation, abdominoplasty, hernia repair, and how he uses a keller funnel to reduce the size of the breast scar. Learn more about tummy tuck procedures at Aesthetica Cosmetic Surgery & Laser Center.
Experts in Plastic Surgery
Other Popular Procedures
Breast Surgery
Cosmetic breast surgery includes breast augmentation, breast lift, breast reduction and breast reconstruction. Other common procedures include nipple and areola reduction.
Body Contouring
Body contouring procedures include abdominoplasty, lower body lift, circumferential body lift, as well as thigh and arm lifts. Some patients need it all especially after weight loss surgery.
Face Surgery
Face surgery includes facial rejuvenation procedures such as face, neck, and forehead lifts or simple nonsurgical procedures such as botox, cosmetic facial fillers, or laser skin treatments. Other procedures include nose jobs or ear reshaping.
Skin and Anti-aging
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Vaginal health includes treatments for vaginal dryness, laxity, and even urinary incontinence. Common procedures include labiaplasty surgery, as well as Diva Laser Tightening.
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Abdominoplasty in Northern Virginia
Dr. Phillip Chang is a leading plastic surgeon in Loudoun County who specializes in surgical and nonsurgical cosmetic procedures for the breast, body, face, and skin. He is board certified in plastic surgery by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is the founder of Aesthetica Cosmetic Surgery & Laser Center in Leesburg, VA. Dr. Chang is dedicated to providing high-quality service that concentrates on the unique needs and concerns of his patients. He believes combining attentive care and minimally invasive techniques is the best avenue for achieving beautiful, natural-looking results. Dr. Chang is thrilled to be serving the greater northwest area of Washington, D.C. with top cosmetic care that is dependable and trustworthy.
Interested in learning more about Dr. Chang? Click here.
We are based in Leesburg, VA. Located as part of the Lansdowne medical complex, you have access to our 24-7 state-of-the-art facility as well as access to Lansdowne hospital. We are based directly across the road from INOVA hospital. There is ample parking, elevators to bring you to our third floor offices, and welcoming staff to sign you in.
We are proud of our surgeries and cosmetic procedures and love that our patients are happy too. They like to shout it out on Google, Yell, Facebook, and right here on our website. Check out our reviews here.
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All potential patients receive either a phone, virtual, or in-consultation for free.
During the consultation we will discuss your treatment wishes and expectations. This is the time to ask us lots of questions to really understand what is involved, what the costs will be, and what is expected of you. This is also a great time to get to know Dr. Chang.
Aesthetica has received numerous awards from the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce, New Beauty, Best of Loudoun, Posh 7 Top Picks, and Dr. Chang is internationally known for his lectures and advances in precise surgical technique as demonstrated through his unique mini-facelift procedure.
We have three execeptionally talents cosmetic nurses:
- Melanie Schwarz, RN, BSN
- Katy Down, RN, BSN
- Angela Westbrook, RN, BSN
Common Mommy Makeover Procedures for the Breast
Common Mommy Makeover Procedures for the Body
Common Mommy Makeover Procedures for the Vagina
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