A Body Lift, sometimes called a Belt Lipectomy, is a body sculpting procedure for people who have lost a significant amount of weight through dieting or weight loss surgery, such as gastric bypass.

When you lose a great deal of weight, your skin may not have the elasticity to conform to your new size and shape. No amount of dieting or exercise will address these issues. During a Body Lift surgery in Richmond, Dr. Steven Montante removes this excess skin and remaining excess pockets of fat to create a smoother, trimmer contour.

Some patients who get a Body Lift also have an Arm Lift to recontour the upper arms.

What Can a Body Lift Do for You?

A body lift can reverse or improve the following:

  • Skin and tissue that hang over the belt line
  • Rolls of skin and tissue in the lower back and hips
  • Drooping buttocks
  • Saddlebags at the upper thighs
  • Excessive fullness of soft tissue in the pubic area

Dr. Montante will spend time with you during your initial consultation to hear your concerns and goals, as well as answer your questions. He will review your medical history, followed by an examination of your body in order to recommend a surgical plan tailored specifically for you.

This surgery is not recommended for those who wish to lose additional weight, which could result in more loose skin and tissue. If you have certain medical conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, you may be asked to obtain clearance from your physician before surgery.

Dr. Montante will advise you of all preparations to take prior to your operation. If you are a smoker, for example, you will need to stop for a period of time before surgery. This reduces your risk of complications.

What Should You Expect from a Body Lift?

A Body Lift is extensive surgery in Richmond that is performed using general anesthesia and requires a hospital stay, usually for 1-3 nights. During that time, you will receive fluids, pain medication, and nausea medication (if necessary) via IV.

A series of incisions are made circumferentially around the hips, pubic area, and buttocks. After the anesthesia has taken effect, the surgery begins while you are on your back. You must be turned on your side and your stomach for subsequent portions of the surgery.

During the procedures, Dr. Montante will take special precautions to keep your body warm with heating pads and to prevent blood clots from forming in your legs. He will also give you anti-coagulant therapy after your surgery to prevent blood clots in the legs.

Drainage tubes will be placed in some of the incisions to collect post-surgical fluids. We will instruct you how to care for them after you go home, and they will be removed in our office in about a week.

Recovering from a Body Lift in Richmond

You will need help at home after you have been released from the hospital, but you should be able to get up and walk within a few days, perhaps with assistance and with a slight bend at your waist until you heal further.

Sutures will be removed within 7-10 days. Most patients return to work in about 2 weeks and resume strenuous exercise in about a month.

Expect to feel some moderate post-operative discomfort, but this can be managed with pain medication. Moderate swelling and bruising are also to be expected. Bruising should subside within 2 weeks, while the swelling will gradually go away over a period of months. Some patients also experience some numbness around the incisions for a few months.

We will provide a gel for treating your scars, which will fade and flatten gradually for 12-18 months. Dr. Montante will monitor your progress carefully in follow-up appointments.

If you have had weight loss surgery or lost a significant amount of weight, a Body Lift might be the final step to achieve the new body you desire. Call us today to schedule a consultation and find out more about Body Lift surgery in Richmond.