Losing large amounts of weight can be an empowering experience for many – and it deserves to be shown off. However, drastic weight changes can, unfortunately, leave behind excess skin. Body lift surgery is a transformative surgery, designed to achieve a more youthful and toned appearance, addressing not only the removal of excess skin and fat but also the potential tightening of underlying muscles for improved core strength.
What is body lift surgery?
Body lift surgery, also known as a belt lipectomy or circumferential body lift, is a comprehensive cosmetic surgical procedure designed to address sagging or excess skin and fat around the midsection of the body. This extensive procedure provides a more youthful and toned appearance by contouring the abdomen, hips and lower back.
During a body lift surgery, your surgeon will make a circumferential incision around the lower abdomen towards the back. The excess skin and fat are then removed, allowing for the reshaping and tightening of the treated areas. In some cases, the underlying abdominal muscles can also be tightened to enhance your core strength and improve the appearance of your waistline.
Body lift surgery is a common procedure amongst those who have undergone significant weight loss and are left with loose or hanging skin. It’s a transformative procedure that can greatly improve both your body contours and self-confidence.
What are the benefits of body lift surgery?
✔ Boost your self-confidence: enjoy a contoured and tightened lower body appearance
✔ A natural-looking, more defined silhouette: part of our ethos
✔ VIP care: we look after you with five-star consultancy and aftercare
✔ A bespoke service: we understand that everyone has different needs
✔ Peace of mind: your surgeon is the best in their field
✔ Combine treatments: access to our whole team for your convenience
✔ Comprehensive, transparent information: using your Karidis Clinic Patient Journey app
How is a body lift different from abdominoplasty?
An abdominoplasty, often referred to as a tummy tuck, is a frequently performed surgery to reduce surplus fat and skin. Unlike a body lift, it helps restore weakened abdominal muscles, which you may not have been able to achieve through diet and exercise alone. For women who’ve experienced excess or sagging abdominal skin from pregnancy, a tummy tuck is also very beneficial.
During an abdominoplasty, your surgeon will create horizontal incisions on the abdominal area, lifting the excess skin. Once the skin has been lifted, the underlying abdominal muscles are repaired. Depending on how much skin you have, a second incision may be necessary around the naval.
A body lift, on the other hand, is a more extensive procedure for those with significant weight loss or excess skin and fat around the entire midsection. It addresses not only the abdomen but also the hips and lower back. A circumferential incision is made around the lower abdomen and extended to the back, allowing for the removal of excess skin and fat from these areas. In some cases, the underlying muscles are tightened as well.
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FAQs for body lift surgery
Individuals who experience excess skin around their abdomen, hips and lower back after substantial weight loss may qualify as suitable candidates for a body lift. This could be a result of bariatric surgery, gastric sleeve, childbirth or disciplined dieting. Additionally, to minimise the risk of complications, ideal candidates are close to their target body weight and maintain a BMI below 25. Good overall health without significant medical conditions is also essential. Finally, all potential patients must have a thorough comprehension of the procedure and recovery process, as body lift surgery is a substantial undertaking.
Body lift surgery is very safe when it’s performed by a skilled and experienced plastic surgeon in an accredited surgical facility. Like any surgical procedure, it carries some inherent risks, such as infection, bleeding and anaesthesia-related complications. However, individuals should speak to our qualified surgeons about their medical history prior to their surgery and carefully follow all pre and post-operative instructions to ensure a safe and successful outcome.
Body lift surgery involves extensive surgical incisions for the removal of loose skin and fat. While all incisions leave scars initially, these typically become flatter and less noticeable over time. Our surgeons will also strategically place these incisions within natural skin folds to minimise their visibility. We may also recommend creams for your scars to help improve their appearance.
The body lift procedure is a comprehensive surgical intervention designed to address excess skin and fat around the abdomen, hips and lower back. Under general anaesthesia, a circumferential incision is made, encircling the lower abdomen and extending to the back. Excess skin and fat are then meticulously removed, allowing for contouring and reshaping of the treated areas. In some cases, underlying abdominal muscles are tightened and repaired, and liposuction can also be used. After these adjustments, the incisions are carefully closed with deep sutures to hold your new shape. That said, the procedure is highly individualised to meet each patient’s unique needs and goals.
The duration of a body lift procedure varies based on the specific type of surgery, the extent of tissue removal and whether you require liposuction. Typically, a body lift ranges from three to five hours. However, in certain situations, it may be advisable to divide the procedure into multiple sessions to enhance safety. At Karidis, we try to avoid prolonged procedure times, as these are linked to an elevated risk of complications, making staged surgeries a potential alternative to mitigate such risks.
Yes, a body lift can often be combined with other cosmetic procedures to achieve more comprehensive aesthetic enhancements. The procedures that complement this surgery best include a breast augmentation or reduction, liposuction, arm lift and thigh lift. However, the decision to combine procedures should be made in consultation with one of our consultant plastic surgeons. They will assess your overall health, surgical goals and recovery considerations to determine the most suitable approach for safe and effective results.
