Thighplasty, gluteoplasty, and brachioplasty are plastic surgeries where the surgeon removes excess skin and local fat deposits and tightens the muscles of the patient’s arms or legs. These surgeries are typically performed after rapid weight loss or after the age of 50-60 in cases of significant sagging and looseness of the skin. Body lifting includes abdominoplasty, detailed information about which can be seen here. You can view our videos about body skin lifting here YouTube.
Brief information about the surgery
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Duration of operation: 3 – 4 hours
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Type of anesthesia: General anesthesia
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Hospitalization: 4-24 hours
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Return to normal life: After 7-14 days
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Clinic visits: 2-3 times
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Stitches removal: 14th day
Why do patients consider body lifting?
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Deep folds in the abdomen and thigh areas: Such folds typically form due to aging, where the skin becomes looser, sags, and wrinkles develop.
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Skin sagging after losing 40-60 kg: Although human skin is elastic, it does not always recover after significant weight loss. Patients who have undergone treatment and lost more than 40 kg often face the problem of skin laxity and the inability to return it to its original state.
Who is suitable for the surgery?
Body skin lifting (of arms or legs) is suitable for certain categories of people:
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Patients with excess skin after significant weight loss: People who have lost a significant amount of weight, especially after bariatric surgeries, often face the problem of sagging skin. Body skin lifting helps remove this excess skin, restoring a more firm and smooth body contour.
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Aging skin: As skin loses elasticity with age, it can sag. Lifting of the skin on the arms and legs can be an effective way to improve appearance and restore a more youthful contour to these areas.
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Patients with slight excess weight: Lifting can also be suitable for those with a small excess of skin in the arm or leg areas due to minor overweight or natural skin aging.
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People in good overall health: Suitable candidates for this procedure are those in good general health and who do not have medical contraindications to surgical intervention.
Why South Korea?
South Korea conducts the highest number of cosmetic procedures and surgeries in the world annually. Local doctors are considered the most educated and competitive globally, as only 0.01% of medical school graduates can become plastic surgeons in the country. The equipment and medical technology in Korea are comparable in quality to the USA and Germany, placing it in the top 3 countries for the best technical equipment in clinics.
All body lifting surgeries are conducted in accredited clinics authorized to work with international patients and equipped with anesthesiologists. All surgeons operating on our patients have 15 to 30 years of experience, specialize in soft tissue work, and do not operate on more than two patients per day. Fill out the QUESTIONNAIRE to help us calculate the cost of treatment, conduct a preliminary consultation, and prepare a travel plan to South Korea for the operation.
How to prepare for body lifting in South Korea
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Refrain from eating and drinking 10 hours before the procedure. Take a shower.
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Avoid taking Aspirin, Ibuprofen (including drugs like Advil or Motrin), and other medications that can increase the risk of heavy bleeding for 2 weeks before the surgery. Tylenol is prohibited only 3 days before the operation.
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Do not smoke, including hookah and electronic cigarettes. Smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and can slow down the tissue healing process. If you smoke, the doctor will recommend you quit smoking before the surgery. Some doctors refuse to operate on smoking patients due to a high risk of complications. It is unsafe to be around smoking family members and friends or in public places designated for smoking.
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Review your medical history. Be prepared to answer questions about current and past illnesses, as well as any surgeries you have undergone. Tell about any medications you are or have been taking recently. Please do not hide this information from the surgeon and coordinators.
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Visit the surgeon for an examination and show them photos of the desired result.
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If you had tests less than a month ago, you can bring them with you. Otherwise, we will do all the necessary tests in Korea.
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Ask someone to drive you to the clinic or help you after the surgery if you plan to come by car.
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Place items next to your bed that you may need during rest, such as lip balm, water, a chocolate bar, or a mobile phone.
How the surgery is performed
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Before the surgery, a consultation is conducted where the patient and the surgeon discuss the details of the operation. At the end of the consultation, the surgeon marks the body where incisions will be made.
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On the operating table, preparation begins – the patient’s arms and legs are strapped down to minimize the possibility of movement during the operation, a catheter and pressure measuring devices are installed.
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After disinfecting and treating the lifting area, anesthesia is administered, an oxygen mask is put on the face, and sleep ensues – body lifting is performed under general anesthesia.
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First, the surgeon removes excess fat using a cannula, then makes an incision and removes excess tissue, after which the skin is stitched with non-absorbable thread.
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The patient is awakened and escorted to the room.
What to expect after body lifting
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After the surgery, nurses wake you up and help you move to your room. Most patients do not remember this moment and feel like they woke up in a warm bed – such is the effect of anesthesia.
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In the first 10-20 minutes after waking up, you may feel chills, which quickly pass, a warm heating mattress lies on your bed to make this period more comfortable. There will be almost no pain, as it is dulled by the analgesic injections and medications used during the operation. But you may feel your body swelling – this is how the body begins to recover.
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You stay in the clinic for another 10-20 hours after the operation, with a catheter in your arm, receiving medications intravenously. After the IV is finished and the catheter is removed, the coordinator and nurses check your condition. If you do not have symptoms such as dizziness and nausea, you can prepare for discharge: get dressed, collect medications, and postoperative recommendations.
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For a few days after the operation, the operated area will swell, the skin under the medical bandages or compression garments will start to itch, and bruises may appear – all these are normal symptoms, you need to be patient and wait.
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You can return to everyday activities on the 4-5th day after the operation.
Book a consultation with the clinic coordinator or plastic surgeon today!
You can book a consultation by filling out the QUESTIONNAIRE or contacting us by phone at +82-10-4214-9603.
Rehabilitation process and procedures after body lifting
Immediately after the procedure: Pain sensations are almost absent in the first hours; you may only experience discomfort when moving and shifting your body. Stay in the ward and rest.
Day 1-2: The body begins to swell, and you may feel pain similar to muscle soreness. If you do not experience symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or dizziness, you are discharged from the clinic.
Days 3-7: Swelling begins to subside. They may move down the body, from the hips to the knees or calves, from the upper part of the arms to the elbows or even wrists. These areas may appear puffy and blue, all of which are a normal part of the regeneration process.
Days 7-14: Decrease in swelling, disappearance of possible hematomas, return to normal life. On the 14th day after the operation, the surgeon removes the stitches. Regular long walks are recommended for faster recovery. Do not forget to apply healing ointment to dissolve the stitches, which will soon make the fact of the operation unnoticeable.
Days 14-21: Most patients can perform everyday activities without discomfort. Continue to avoid intense workouts and physical exercises. Stitches begin to fade and can be easily hidden with makeup.
Days 21-30: Eyes are still swollen, especially in the mornings. Eyelids may seem different and asymmetrical every day, depending on which side your head shifted during sleep. This is normal and will soon pass.
Days 31-60: Residual swelling gradually subsides, symmetry is restored, and the eyelids take a permanent position and shape.
Days 60-90: You may swim in the sea and sunbathe, but try not to dive or rub your eyes to avoid injuring healing tissues. Always apply sunscreen.
1 year after the operation: Full completion of rehabilitation.
Frequently Asked Questions
From 2.5 to 4 hours.
- On the 14th day.
It's impossible to perform the operation without cuts on the skin. The surgeon tries to make them minimally noticeable, but they will never disappear completely.
- If you don't want your colleagues to know about your operation, we recommend taking a two-week vacation.
- The patient must be of legal age.
- The final result can be seen six months after the operation, but the body will look normal already on the 20-25th day after the operation.
- Yes, this option is available.
Yes, it can.
- Surgeons agree that any time of year is equally comfortable for patients. The most popular seasons for plastic surgeries are spring and autumn, so we recommend booking at least 1-2 months before the operation.
Before & After




















Step 1: Fill out the QUESTIONNAIRE
First and foremost, you need to fill out a form. This will help us and the surgeons better understand your expectations and review your medical history. In the form, be sure to provide your personal information, details about any previous surgeries, and your current health condition. Unfortunately, patients with HIV infection are not eligible for plastic surgeries in Korea.
Step 2: Attach photos
Attaching photos of the areas of your body or face that you would like to have corrected is a crucial step. This allows us to make a preliminary cost estimate and direct you to a specialist who can address your concerns.
Step 3: Submit and wait for confirmation
After submitting the form and photos, your application will be reviewed, and we will contact you to confirm details and schedule a consultation.
Step 4: Prepare for the consultation
Prepare a list of questions you would like to ask the coordinator and surgeon during the consultation. We recommend bringing a phone with notes or a notepad to help you stay organized and obtain all the information you need. Additionally, you can always ask any questions you have in a personal chat created for discussing the details of your trip.