A belt lipectomy is a type of surgery. It's done to remove the loose skin and fat around your waist or “belt line.”
It is no secret that the midsection is a difficult area to tighten and tone. Add dramatic weight loss, fluctuations in weight, or pregnancies to the mix and a trim waist may seem impossible to achieve. It’s understandable to be disappointed by what seems like a lack of progress – but whatever you do, don’t blame yourself! Stretched skin and muscle damage are often the result of weight gain or pregnancy. This isn’t always something that exercise and a healthy diet can repair on its own. Thankfully, there are a range of cosmetic procedures out there, such as a belt lipectomy, that can help you achieve the hourglass figure you desire.
Also known as a body lift, a belt lipectomy is a technique that is comparable to a tummy tuck. However, it is a more thorough procedure and involves a larger portion of the midsection. A belt lipectomy involves the surgical removal of extra skin and fat from the sides, back, and belly by your cosmetic surgeon. Your muscles are also reconstructed in this procedure.
Once the damaged and sagging skin is removed, your surgeon stretches the skin from above the incision to meet the skin at the top of the incision. This also tones and smooths the buttocks and thighs, as well as the midsection and back. In some cases, liposuction may also be included in the procedure to remove concerning areas of fat.
A tummy tuck can be performed in a variety of ways. For example, there are mini tummy tuck procedures, standard or traditional procedures, and even an extended procedure that seeks to minimize scar length while still removing the essential amount of skin and fat. There are also drain-free tummy tuck procedures available for those concerned with drain-related recovery.
Loose skin and muscles primarily below the navel are the focus of a mini tummy tuck. A full or “standard” tummy tuck focuses on the abdomen both above and below the navel. Patients with significant extra skin and who need extensive skin management may benefit from an extended tummy tuck, which includes an additional midline scar in addition to the low transverse scar.
In a belt lipectomy, a tummy tuck is merely a component of the procedure. In addition to the shaping and lifting of the abdomen, however, sagging outer hips and buttocks are also lifted in a lipectomy procedure. This requires an incision that goes around the back of the waistline and over the upper portion of the buttocks.
Buttock contouring operations are frequently used in conjunction with other procedures to increase projection and form, and the ultimate result can produce dramatic alterations in body shape and contour. Often, contouring procedures such as a Brazilian butt lift are used on the buttocks to provide an often dramatic change to their projection and curve.
Tummy tuck surgery is typically best for post-pregnancy or older patients who have increased looseness of the abdominal muscles or extra abdominal fat, but still have definition and tone in their thighs and buttocks.
Patients who have lost a significant amount of weight and have plenty of extra skin as a result may best achieve their goals with procedures such as a belt lipectomy. Consult with your plastic surgeon to determine which procedure may be best for you. Understanding the total recovery process, dangers, scar patterns, and surgical options are crucial to a successful outcome and a healthy patient-doctor relationship.
A lower body lift, or lipectomy, is not suitable for everyone. While the outcomes are transformative, there are a few important things to keep in mind. When determining if a belt lipectomy is right for you, ask yourself these questions:
If your answer to these three questions is “yes,” then belt lipectomy surgery may be a great option for your weight loss journey.
A belt lipectomy is a cosmetic treatment that takes a significant time to recuperate from, as the procedure is expensive and often involves various sections of the body. The surgery may take up to 5-8 hours to complete and some patients may require an overnight hospital stay. While the exact amount of recovery time differs from person to person, two to three weeks is generally the average amount of time for most patients to resume light activities. A full recovery may take closer to two months or more.