Body Lift in
Scottsdale, AZ

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Body lift surgery in Scottsdale, Phoenix & Paradise Valley, performed by board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Mark Gruszynski.

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Scottsdale Body Lift Specialist · Board Certified Plastic Surgeon · Thousands of Procedures · Scottsdale Body Lift Specialist · Board Certified Plastic Surgeon · Thousands of Procedures ·

Ready to Get Rid of Loose Skin?

Losing a large amount of weight is a major accomplishment, but the journey often does not end when the scale reaches your goal. Many people are left with extra skin that hangs from the stomach, hips, thighs, arms, or chest.

This skin can cause discomfort, chafing, and difficulty with hygiene. Some patients struggle to find clothes that fit and may feel discouraged that their body still doesn’t look the way they hoped after all their hard work.

Extra skin can also limit activity. Running, bending, or even walking can feel difficult when skin folds rub or pull. For some, rashes or infections develop under the folds, adding pain or irritation to the problem.

This surgery removes the extra skin, tightens the tissues underneath, and helps patients move more easily, feel lighter, and wear clothes with confidence.

What To Know About Body Lift in Scottsdale

A body lift is a plastic surgery solution that removes loose, sagging skin and reshapes the underlying tissues. The goal is to get rid of skin folds that cause pain or hygiene issues and restore comfort in daily life.

It is often chosen by people who have lost a significant amount of weight through lifestyle changes or bariatric surgery¹ and want to finish their transformation.

This surgery does more than change appearance. It can relieve physical discomfort, make exercise easier, and allow you to move through daily life without the constant reminder of extra skin.

Our Scottsdale plastic surgery experts will help you decide whether this procedure is the right choice for you.

Take the next step toward a more comfortable body contour.

Reach Out Today

Benefits of a Body Lift

A body lift helps men and women in Scottsdale and Phoenix improve comfort, mobility, and confidence to address concerns that diet and exercise alone cannot fix. Here are some benefits of having a body lift:

Removes Excess Skin: Eliminates large folds that hang from the stomach, back, or thighs that often lead to sores or skin irritation.
Supports Better Hygiene: Makes it easier to keep the skin clean and dry, reducing moisture buildup and recurrent fungal infections.
Improves Mobility: Relieves the pulling and heaviness from overhanging skin so physical activities feel easier and less painful.
Relieves Discomfort: Helps stop chafing, skin pinching, and back strain to make daily activities more comfortable.
Enhances Confidence: Allows clothing to fit smoothly and feel more comfortable during social interactions, and intimate settings.

Ideal Candidates
for a Body Lift

A body lift is designed for patients who want to remove excess skin and improve comfort after major weight loss.

Significant Loose Skin

Have large folds around the abdomen, thighs, flanks, or buttocks that do not respond to diet or exercise efforts.

Stable Weight

Your weight has remained consistent for several months following weight loss or bariatric surgery.

Healthy Enough for Surgery

Free from uncontrolled health conditions that could increase surgical risks or delay recovery, and cleared medically if needed.

Skin Irritation or Infections

Experience frequent rashes, sores, or moisture buildup beneath skin folds that cause discomfort or limit daily movement.

Commitment to Recovery

Willing to follow all pre- and post-operative instructions carefully and take enough time off for proper healing.

Choosing a body lift is a big decision that can dramatically improve comfort, mobility, and confidence.

Schedule your body lift consultation at our Scottsdale office today.

Let’s Make a Plan

Body Lift Consultation at Our Scottsdale Office

Whether you’re in Scottsdale or Phoenix, your consultation in our office is focused on your comfort.

Dr. Mark will spend some time talking about your goals, what bothers you most, and what you hope to achieve with surgery. He will examine the areas where you have extra skin to see how much can be safely removed.

You will learn about the different types of body lifts, what each surgery involves, and where scars will be placed. He will review your medical history, answer all your questions, and explain how to prepare.

By the end of the appointment, you will have a clear plan tailored to your needs and lifestyle.

How to Prepare for Your Body Lift

Preparing carefully before surgery supports safer healing and a smoother recovery. Here are the steps most patients follow:

Keep Skin Clean and Healthy

Gently wash and fully dry the stomach, hips, thighs, and back daily in the weeks before surgery.

Eat Protein-Rich Foods

Focus on lean protein, vegetables, and whole grains in the days leading up to surgery to support tissue repair.

Stop Nicotine Use

Quit smoking, vaping, and all nicotine products at least 4 weeks before and after surgery to support blood flow.

Prepare Your Home

Set up a recovery space with extra pillows, comfortable seating, and easy access to essentials before your procedure.

Avoid Skin Irritation

Skip tanning, waxing, or strong skincare products on treatment areas for at least two weeks to keep skin calm.

Arrange Help for Recovery

Have someone ready to assist with meals, housework, and basic needs during the first 7–10 days at home.

Medication Restrictions

Avoid blood-thinning medications, NSAIDs, and certain herbal supplements as instructed by Dr. Mark before surgery.

Follow Pre-Op Instructions

Complete required lab work, fast as directed before anesthesia, and confirm your transportation plan for surgery day.

Preparing early can make recovery much easier and more comfortable.

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What are the Steps Of A Body Lift?

A body lift is performed under general anesthesia and usually takes 4 to 8 hours. The surgery is carefully planned so that each step supports healing and gives a safe result. Here is what happens:

The day of your surgery begins with general anesthesia so you stay completely comfortable and pain-free. A board-certified anesthesiologist monitors your breathing, heart rate, and comfort from start to finish to keep you safe.

Before the first incision, Dr. Mark makes precise markings on the body to guide the procedure. The skin is cleaned and prepared in a sterile environment to reduce the risk of infection.

Carefully planned incisions are made along the marked lines. For a lower body lift, the incision usually runs like a belt around the waistline to allow full lifting of the lower trunk and thighs. For an upper body lift, incisions are placed along the arms, chest, or upper back, depending on where skin is removed.

The extra skin is gently separated from the tissue underneath and removed. If small pockets of fat remain, they may be trimmed to create a lighter, tighter result. This step immediately removes the folds that were causing rubbing or pain².

If needed, the deeper tissues are tightened to help support the new position of the skin. This step improves the strength of the result and reduces tension on the incisions as they heal.

The skin is brought together and closed in several layers. Closing in layers helps the incisions heal with less strain and creates a secure, strong closure. Small drains are placed under the skin to collect fluid during the first few days. This reduces swelling and helps prevent fluid pockets from forming. Sterile bandages are applied over the incisions to protect them.

Three Types of Body Lifts: Lower, Upper, and Total

Body lift surgery can focus on specific regions or address the entire midsection in a single procedure. Choosing the right approach depends on your anatomy, skin laxity, and overall goals.

Lower Body Lift

A lower body lift focuses on the stomach, lower back, butt area, and outer thighs. The incision usually goes around the waistline to allow the skin to be lifted all the way around. This is especially helpful for people who have a large overhang of skin in the lower belly or folds along the sides and back after weight loss.

Upper Body Lift

An upper body lift removes sagging skin from the chest, upper back, and arms. This may include an arm lift (brachioplasty) to remove hanging skin from the upper arms, as well as chest skin tightening for people with loose skin across the chest or sides². It is a good choice for patients who notice that their shirts and bras fit poorly due to extra skin on the upper body.

Total Body Lift

A total body lift combines both the lower and upper body lifts into one procedure. This approach is ideal for patients who have loose skin all over the torso after massive weight loss and want one surgery to address everything at once. While it is a longer procedure, it can save time overall by avoiding multiple recoveries and can provide a more complete improvement.

Not sure which option is right for you? Schedule your consultation with Dr. Mark in our Scottsdale practice to create your plan.

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Body Lift Recovery Timeline

Recovery after a body lift happens step by step. Each stage brings more comfort, less swelling, and greater freedom of movement.

Day 1

The first day of your surgery, your belly, back, and thighs will feel tight and heavy. You will wake up wearing a compression garment and will have drains in place to collect fluid.

Week 1

After one week, pain is more manageable, and you may be able to stand more upright. Drains may be removed if fluid levels are low enough. The garment is worn at all times except when bathing.

Week 2

Around the two-week mark, swelling and bruising begin to decrease noticeably. Stitches remain in place but should be healing well. Many patients are cleared to do light daily tasks.

Weeks 3–6

By weeks three to six, swelling has improved significantly. You may be cleared to return to desk work or other light activity. Walking becomes easier, and most patients report feeling less heavy and more mobile.

Month 3

After three months, the results are stable. Swelling is almost completely gone, scars begin to fade, and you can fully return to normal activities. You can finally see the full impact of their surgery.

Months 4-12

Healing continues for up to a year. Scars flatten and lighten, and the tissues settle into their final position. Patients often say this stage feels like a fresh start and feel proud of their accomplishment.

Dr. Mark’s Recovery Tips

Wear your compression garments as instructed
Keep your incisions clean and dry
Take short walks daily to support healing
Avoid lifting heavy objects until cleared
Sleep with pillows under your knees

Why Choose
Dr. Mark Gruszynski

Dr. Mark is a board-certified plastic surgeon with years of experience performing body lift surgeries for patients after major weight loss.

He trained at UCLA, where he learned advanced reconstructive techniques that allow him to safely remove large areas of skin while protecting surrounding tissues.

He takes time to plan each procedure carefully to make sure the surgery is tailored to your needs. Dr. Mark is recognized across Scottsdale and Phoenix for his clear explanations, gentle approach, and commitment to safety.

His goal is not just to remove extra skin but to help you feel lighter, healthier, and more comfortable in daily life.

Meet Our Body Lift Specialist

Frequently Asked
Questions About Body Lift

Sometimes insurance can help pay for a body lift if you have medical issues caused by extra skin. These include chronic rashes, infections, or pain that affect your health. If the reason is only appearance, insurance usually will not cover the cost. You can also review our plastic surgery payment solutions.

Recovery takes time because a body lift is a large surgery. Most patients can do light daily tasks after one to two weeks. Standing fully upright and feeling stronger happens around weeks three to four. Most of the swelling is gone by six weeks, and scars continue to heal over several months.

Yes. Drains are small tubes that remove fluid from under the skin. They help reduce swelling and prevent fluid buildup. Most drains are removed in the first one to two weeks once the output is low enough.

Yes. Since skin is removed, scars are part of the procedure. Our surgeon will place them where clothing can usually cover them. Over time, with proper care, scars fade and flatten, becoming less noticeable.

You will notice a change right after surgery since the extra skin is gone. Swelling and bruising take time to fade, so the final result becomes clear over several months. Most patients see their complete result at three to six months.

All surgeries have risks such as infection, bleeding, and slow wound healing. With a body lift, there is also a chance of fluid buildup, separation along the incision, or uneven healing. We will explain how to lower these risks and watch you closely during recovery.

The results last for many years as long as weight stays steady. Large weight changes or pregnancy can stretch the skin again. A healthy lifestyle helps keep the result looking the same over time.

Most patients take three to four weeks off work. If your job is physically demanding, you may need more time to avoid pulling on the incisions. Light desk work can often be done sooner if approved by our surgeon.

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References

Mayo Clinic Health System. (2014, April 16). Body contouring after bariatric surgery: Benefits go beyond appearance. https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/body-contouring-after-bariatric-surgery
Ulukaya, H. E., Ozturk, S., Sevim, K. Z., & Ekincikli, B. T. (2025). Integrated approach to upper body shaping: Long time results. Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 49(11), 3107–3120. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00266-025-04795-y