A body lift, sometimes called a belt lipectomy, is a thorough surgery that addresses excess, drooping skin around your lower torso. It treats the abdomen, waist, hips, flanks, lower back, buttocks, and outer thighs all at once. This full-body approach is best for people who have lost a lot of weight and have loose skin all the way around their midsection, causing discomfort and hiding their healthy, fit body.
Dr. Beth Collins at The Collins Center has spent years perfecting this complex surgery, completing advanced training in body reconstruction after bariatric surgery. She focuses on patient safety and uses proven techniques to minimize complications while delivering impressive results that help patients feel comfortable in their new bodies.
Before / After Gallery
Body lift surgery creates dramatic changes in plastic surgery, removing excess skin around the abdomen to create a smoother, tighter look from all sides. These results improve not just how you look, but also how you feel physically, move, and enjoy life – research shows this often happens after body contouring. Each surgery is tailored to your body, how much weight you’ve lost, and what you want to achieve.
Treatable Areas
- Entire abdominal region (front and sides)
- Waistline and love handles (flanks)
- Lower back and posterior waist
- Buttocks (lifting and reshaping)
- Outer thighs and hip region
- Mons pubis (pubic area)
- Weakened abdominal wall muscles
How Body Lift Works
The procedure involves a single incision around the waist, resembling a belt, to address the lower torso. The surgeon removes excess skin and fat accumulated after weight loss, while simultaneously tightening the remaining skin to create a more defined, youthful appearance.
The operation begins with marking guidelines to ensure precise tissue removal. The 4 to 6-hour process, performed under general anesthesia, involves working around the lower body, starting with the back and buttocks, followed by the abdomen. Weakened abdominal muscles are repaired and strengthened, leading to a firmer core and flatter stomach. The buttocks naturally lift as tissue is pulled upward, enhancing their shape without implants. Liposuction may be used to remove stubborn fat and refine body contours.
Temporary drains are placed to manage fluid buildup. The incisions are carefully closed, minimizing tension and promoting healing. Patients typically wear compression garments for several weeks to support the new physique and reduce swelling. Most patients spend one night in the hospital for monitoring and pain management before returning home to continue recovery.
Whether you need surgical precision, metabolic wellness, or non-surgical refinement, we look at the big picture. Let’s design a unified treatment plan that addresses your health and beauty under one roof.
Results You’ll Love
- Complete elimination of hanging skin around your entire lower torso
- A dramatically slimmer, more defined waistline visible from all angles
- Lifted, reshaped buttocks with improved projection
- Smoother, tighter contours throughout your abdomen, back, and hips
- Relief from chronic skin irritation, rashes, and hygiene difficulties
- Significantly improved mobility and ease during physical activities
- Better-proportioned silhouette that reflects your actual body size
- Profound improvements in self-confidence and emotional wellbeing
Are You a Candidate for Body Lift?
- You’ve lost 50 to 100+ pounds through bariatric surgery or lifestyle changes
- You have circumferential excess skin extending around your entire lower body
- Your weight has remained stable for at least 6 to 12 months
- You experience physical discomfort, skin chafing, or mobility limitations from excess tissue
- You’re in good overall health with well-managed chronic conditions
- You don’t smoke or will commit to complete smoking cessation
- You can arrange assistance at home during your initial recovery weeks
- You understand that visible scarring is necessary to achieve comprehensive improvement
Why Choose The Collins Center
- Specialized post-bariatric surgery fellowship – Dr. Collins pursued intensive additional training focused exclusively on body contouring after massive weight loss, acquiring advanced skills that few surgeons possess
- Prestigious dual board certifications – Certified by both the American Board of Surgery and American Board of Plastic Surgery following rigorous training at Emory University’s elite program
- Extensive surgical practice spanning over 25 years – Nearly two decades of dedicated focus on plastic surgery has given Dr. Collins exceptional technical proficiency and refined aesthetic sensibility
- Research-backed treatment protocols – Every surgical recommendation is grounded in peer-reviewed medical literature and proven best practices, ensuring optimal safety and outcomes
- Genuine personal understanding – Dr. Collins’ personal experience with surgical recovery and body transformation enables authentic empathy for the physical and emotional aspects of your journey
FAQs about Body Lift
How long does body lift surgery take?
Body lift procedures typically require 4 to 6 hours in the operating room, depending on the extent of tissue removal and whether additional procedures are being performed simultaneously. The surgery is performed under general anesthesia in a hospital setting.
Will I need to stay in the hospital overnight?
Yes, most body lift patients remain hospitalized for 1 to 3 nights following surgery for close monitoring, IV pain management, and assistance with initial mobilization. This supervised recovery period significantly enhances your safety and comfort during the critical first days after this extensive procedure.
How long is recovery from a body lift?
Initial recovery requires approximately 2 to 4 weeks away from work, though physically demanding jobs may necessitate longer time off. You’ll need help at home during the first week and must limit physical activities for the full 6 weeks following surgery. Complete healing with final results visible takes approximately 6 to 12 months as residual swelling gradually resolves.
Will I have surgical drains after body lift surgery?
Yes, temporary surgical drains are routinely placed during body lift procedures to prevent fluid accumulation beneath your healing tissues. These drains typically remain in place for 1 to 2 weeks and are removed once drainage diminishes to minimal levels. While somewhat inconvenient, drains significantly reduce complication risks and promote optimal healing.
What will my scars look like?
Body lift creates a circumferential scar that wraps completely around your waistline, positioned to be concealed by most underwear and swimwear. While this is an extensive scar, it’s strategically placed and will gradually fade from red to pale over 12 to 24 months with proper scar management. Most patients find this trade-off very worthwhile given the dramatic improvement in their body contours.
Can I combine body lift with other procedures?
Body lift can sometimes be combined with procedures addressing the upper body, arms, or inner thighs to achieve more comprehensive transformation. However, safety considerations limit how much can be performed simultaneously. Dr. Collins carefully evaluates your overall health, the extent of surgery needed, and established safety parameters to determine whether combining procedures or staging them separately is most appropriate for your situation.
How much weight will I lose from body lift surgery?
While body lift removes tissue (typically 5 to 10 pounds), this is not a weight loss procedure—it’s a body reshaping procedure. The goal is eliminating excess skin and creating better contours, not reducing your weight on the scale. You should be at or very near your goal weight before undergoing body lift surgery for optimal results.
Schedule your consultation with Dr. Collins and discover how body lift surgery can help you finally reveal the fit, proportionate body your weight loss achievement truly deserves.
