About the procedure
After major weight loss through gastric sleeve surgery or dieting, significant excess skin remains on the abdomen, waist, back and buttocks. A body lift (belt lipectomy) addresses these areas with a single circumferential incision; the abdomen is flattened and the buttocks and outer thighs are lifted.
It is planned once weight has been stable for at least 6 months. Arm, thigh and breast lifts are scheduled in separate sessions.
In patients who have had a gastric sleeve or bypass, preoperative blood values (particularly protein, iron, B12, and vitamin D) are checked; because deficiencies directly affect wound healing, surgery is not undertaken until they are corrected. Because the operation is long, clot prevention, maintenance of body temperature, and management of blood loss are planned in advance with the anesthesia team. If needed, the circumferential procedure is divided into two stages.
- ✓A single plan around the entire trunk
- ✓Buttock-lifting effect
- ✓A safe course through a staged program
Suitability
Who is it suitable for?
May be suitable
- ✓Those who have lost a large amount of weight through a gastric sleeve, bypass, or dieting and whose weight has been stable for at least 6 months.
- ✓Those with difficulty dressing, maintaining hygiene, and moving because of circumferential skin sagging in the abdomen, waist, back, and buttocks.
- ✓Non-smokers with a BMI close to target and corrected nutritional values.
- ✓Those who accept the long recovery period and a staged program.
Should be postponed or is not suitable
- —Those still losing weight, or for whom 12–18 months have not passed since bariatric surgery.
- —Patients whose protein, iron, or vitamin deficiencies have not been corrected.
- —Those with uncontrolled diabetes, heart or lung disease, or a history of clots for whom a prevention plan cannot be made.
- —Those who continue to smoke; the risk of tissue loss across the wide area of lifted skin rises markedly.
The final decision on suitability is made after a physician examination and tests.
Process
How does it proceed, step by step?
- 01
Initial consultation
The distribution of sagging and the patient's priorities are determined; a staged program for the trunk, arms, thighs, and breasts is drawn up.
- 02
Preparation
Comprehensive blood tests, nutritional values, and, if needed, internal medicine and cardiology clearance are obtained; smoking is stopped at least 4 weeks beforehand.
- 03
Surgery
Under general anesthesia, a tummy tuck, waist and back skin excision, and buttock lift are done in a single session through an incision encircling the trunk; the position is changed during surgery.
- 04
Hospital
You stay 2–3 nights; clot prevention continues with blood thinner injections, compression devices, and early walking.
- 05
Check-up
Drains are usually removed on days 5–7; points of tension along the incision are assessed.
- 06
Return and follow-up
Clearance to fly is given on days 12–14; a second session for the limb lifts is planned at least 3 months later.
Recovery
Recovery timeline
Day 1
You lie slightly bent forward with the knees bent; assisted walking begins the same day.
Days 3–5
Pain is under control and walks become more frequent. Because of the incision across the back and buttocks, sitting is limited to soft surfaces.
Weeks 1–2
Drains are removed and showering is cleared. The garment is worn all day, and heavy lifting is prohibited.
Weeks 3–4
Upright posture and daily movements become comfortable; you can return to desk work.
Weeks 6–8
Exercise and weight training begin with the physician's approval; an assessment for the second stage is made.
Year 1
The circumferential scar fades; swelling fully subsides, and once all stages are complete, the overall result settles.
Timeframes are averages; they vary by person and by the scope of the procedure.
Results
Before / After
Before and after examples of Body Lift are shared during the consultation.
We show our patients' photos only within the scope of their written consent and in one-on-one consultations; we respect the wishes of patients who prefer not to be published on the open internet. Let us send you results from cases similar to yours together with the physician's assessment.
Let us be open
Risks and points to consider
Every medical procedure carries risks. The points below are the main known issues for this procedure; a risk assessment specific to you is made during the consultation.
- Wound separation and tissue loss; because the incision is long and under tension, the risk in this surgery is higher than in other lifts, and it increases with smoking and nutritional deficiency.
- Seroma; it is common because of the wide area of lifted skin, and may require prolonged drains or repeated drainage.
- Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism; because of the long operating time, this is the most closely monitored risk.
- The need for a blood transfusion because of blood loss; the risk is reduced by correcting anemia before surgery.
- The possibility of a corrective surgery because of scar widening, asymmetry, and residual laxity.