Body
BODY LIFT
BODY LIFT
A body lift improves the appearance of the lower abdomen from front to back. A body lift typically referred to as a "belt lipectomy" removes excess skin and fat from the front and back of the lower trunk. A body lift procedure aims to tighten the abdominal walls, eradicate pockets of stubborn fat and remove loose skin.
Procedure
Belt lipectomy or truncal body lift is the circumferential removal of loose hanging skin and fat from around the waist or "belt" line of an individual. It could be considered an extensive tummy tuck that continues around the sides to remove the loose "love handle" skin that travels onto the lower back. The advantage of this thorough removal of skin is that the looseness above the buttocks is removed, which has the effect of lifting the buttocks as well. Sometimes the fat in this area is used to augment the buttocks during belt lipectomy, restoring the flattened buttocks to a more youthful and projecting shape. The surgery typically begins with the patient in the prone position (belly down). It requires the body to be turned onto the back once the initial posterior buttocks and lower back surgery is completed so that surgery to the stomach or abdominal area “tummy tuck” can be performed which completes the “belt” lipectomy.
A body lift takes three and a half to five hours.
Typically general anaesthesia but spinal anaesthesia is also an option.
Because of the extensive nature of the procedure, an overnight stay is usually required.
Breakdown of the suture line above the buttocks can occur (because the patient tends to bend at the waist when performing normal hygiene which strains the suture closure pulling it apart). This usually leads to a wider scar in the posterior surgical area. Some numbness of the area above and sometimes below the incisions, residual looseness and irregularity of the skin, are all the usual common side effects of any surgical procedure.
Risks of surgery are the same as with conventional abdominoplasty.
Recovery is prolonged because of the requirement of avoiding bending at the waist for a month until adequate healing has occurred.
The results after a body lift are typically very gratifying.
WHEN YOU CHOOSE A DOCTOR WHO IS A MEMBER OF APRASSA, YOU CAN BE ASSURED THAT YOUR SURGEON IS QUALIFIED IN ALL ASPECTS OF COSMETIC AND RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY.
Find a Surgeon
The Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons of Southern Africa was formed in 1956. All our members are fully qualified Plastic surgeons that have been approved for APRASSA membership and will endeavour to provide you with excellent care throughout your plastic surgery journey.
