A belt lipectomy or circumferential abdominoplasty can be a solution to the excess skin after massive weight loss. If you have had weight loss surgery such as a gastric sleeve or lost a lot of weight through dieting, then a belt lipectomy – performed by Specialist Plastic Surgeon Dr Doyle – may help.
What is a belt lipectomy?
A belt lipectomy is a surgical procedure usually performed to remove excess skin and fat and shape the waistline, hips, buttocks, and thighs. Also known as the lower body lift, the procedure can firm the abdomen, waist, and hips to give your body a tighter result.
The excess skin can affect your body’s functionality and make you uncomfortable. A Belt lipectomy procedure is also commonly known as a circular abdominoplasty or a 360 abdominoplasty and is a cosmetic procedure that tightens the torso region.
Am I A Suitable Candidate for The Belt Lipectomy Procedure?
You may be a suitable candidate for a belt lipectomy procedure if:
- You have lost a significant amount of weight which has resulted in you having excess skin
- Your skin has lost elasticity and your abdominal wall has become lax.
- You are bothered by the discomfort of excess skin.
- You can accept a circumferential scar around your lower body. Please note, that this scar can generally be covered by underwear and swimwear.
- Your mobility is affected by loose skin.
- Excess skin has resulted in skin rashes, irritation, and infections.
- You are physically healthy and at a stable weight. If you are planning on losing more weight or are not at your goal weight, then you should wait and have the procedure when you are at your ideal weight
- You do not smoke or drink heavily
- You have realistic expectations and realistic surgery goals.
- You are undergoing a belt lipectomy for yourself and not for any other reason.
What Are The Benefits of a Belt Lipectomy Procedure?
Belt lipectomy has several benefits ranging from improved mobility and functionality to comfortability. There are many more benefits to the procedure that have been listed below.
Fewer Infections
Excess skin and tissue around the waist can hinder mobility and prevent you from performing everyday tasks. An important side effect of excess skin is chafing which can result in skin irritation and rashes which can be quite painful.
Another important side effect is infections. Loose skin means that there will be skin folds and crevices which make for the perfect home for microorganisms. This can result in painful infections that may need immediate treatment.
These side effects may be eradicated by undergoing a belt lipectomy procedure. Generally, after the procedure and recovery period, you can go about your daily business without having to worry about chafing, rashes, and infections.
Reduced Flanks (love handles)
Excess skin after a significant amount of weight loss can hang loosely around your hips and thighs, making it look like you haven’t lost the accurate amount of weight. This skin can increase the size of the flanks (love handles) and loose buttocks.
A belt lipectomy procedure can tighten your skin, shape your lower body, and create a firmer result.
To find out more about the benefits or to see circumferential body lifts before and after photos, book your initial consultation with Dr Doyle.
What’s Involved in a Belt Lipectomy Procedure?
A belt lipectomy is an extensive surgical procedure that can take anywhere between two to five hours, depending on the amount of skin removed and if any associated procedures are being performed at the same time. The procedure is performed under general anaesthesia.
Just before your surgery, Dr Doyle will mark out the position of the incisions circumferentially around your body. Where possible, the position of the scars will be placed in such a way as to have the scars hidden beneath clothing. Generally, the surgery begins on your back and you will be lying face down on the table. A significant amount of skin and fat will be removed, and the underlying tissues will be tightened.
Once the back surgery is complete, you will then be turned over and the excess skin and fat over your abdomen (apron) will be removed. Tightening of the underlying tissues and muscles will be done as required. At this point, Dr Doyle may also perform an inner thigh lift if required. You can discuss any other procedures you would prefer to have done when you first visit your surgeon for your initial consultation. This will help the surgery team plan accordingly to achieve your surgery goals.
After excess skin has been removed and your circumferential incision has been sutured, the surgery procedure is complete. Surgical drains will be placed to prevent the accumulation of fluid in your abdominal cavity and prevent overall swelling. A pain pump (a small pump that pumps pain relief medication under the skin for 3 days) is inserted to minimise your post-operative pain.
Recovery from a belt lipectomy procedure
Belt Lipectomy procedure is a long procedure and can be quite tiring for your body. Most patients would spend at least one night in the hospital following the surgery. It is possible to go home the same day as the surgery, but this is uncommon. Depending on your specific situation, Dr Doyle will recommend the best option for you.
The recovery phase can last for up to six weeks and is marked by swelling, bruising, pain, and mild discomfort. These can be treated with pain management medication that Dr Doyle will prescribe for you. You may also receive a prescription for antibiotics that you should take to prevent any infections, as they can complicate the wound healing process.
Since your abdominal, flank and back tissues have been tightened, you may walk slightly bent over but it is a normal part of the recovery process. It will resolve on its own and you will generally be walking normally approximately five days after the surgery.
You should refrain from doing any strenuous physical activity that can put pressure on your incisions as this can result in wound separation, and improper healing of the incision, which in turn, can result in an less than preferred, thicker scar.
You should abstain from drinking or smoking during the recovery period as that can result in infections, poor wound healing and other complications that will compromise the results of the surgery. This abstinence is especially important while you are taking pain management medications and antibiotics.
Although the recovery period is only six weeks long, the final results of the procedure may not be fully visible for several months after that. The post-operative recovery can be faster, by wearing compression garments that hold the body in place and minimise swelling, fluid and blood accumulation. You should wear these compression garments for at least two months after surgery to fully benefit from the results of the procedure.
Why Choose Dr Mark Doyle?
Dr Mark Doyle is a specialist plastic surgeon with over thirty years of experience and has performed many procedures for patients with significant weight loss including abdominoplasty and upper and lower body lift surgeries, belt lipectomy surgeries, breast lifts and breast implants, inner thigh and upper arm lifts.
Book a consultation with him today to find out more about belt lipectomy surgery on the Gold Coast.
How Much Does Belt Lipectomy Surgery Cost in Australia?
Belt lipectomy or circumferential abdominoplasty is a highly personalised surgical procedure that differs from patient to patient due to the surgery goals of the patient and the amount of excess skin present. Those patients with major weight loss will need longer procedures to remove their excess skin. This is why the cost of a belt lipectomy procedure also differs from case to case.
The cost of the lower body lift or belt lipectomy in Australia may also be affected if any other procedures are going to be performed at the same time, like a thigh lift or liposuction. This will be discussed with you prior to your surgery.
The cost of the belt lipectomy procedure in Australia includes the surgeon’s fees, anaesthetic fees, and hospital fees. Hospital fees will vary depending on how many nights you stay in hospital. You can access our list of pricing resources to find out more about the cost of belt lipectomy surgery:
You can expect the cost of belt lipectomy to be higher than the average cost for Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) surgery – as outlined in our plastic surgery pricing guide.
You need to keep in mind that you will need to pay for the procedure at least two weeks prior to the surgery. Before that, you will also need to pay a surgical booking fee to book the date of your surgery. Some, but not all patients, will have some of their costs covered by Medicare and their health Insurance. This is decided on an individual basis and will be discussed with you at your consultation.
How Do I Book My Surgery?
Belt lipectomy procedure is an extensive surgical procedure that can remove loose skin and excess fat from your lower body.
To get started, book a consultation with Dr Doyle at Gold Coast Plastic Surgery.
Risks and Complications of the Belt Lipectomy Procedure
Belt lipectomy or lower body lift is a surgical procedure, and just like any other surgical procedure, it has certain risks and complications associated with it. You should be aware of them and discuss them in detail so you can make an informed decision about the procedure.
The risks and complications of the belt lipectomy can include:
- Allergies or a reaction to the anaesthesia
- Bleeding
- Hematoma or collection of blood under the skin
- Collection of fluid or seroma in the body
- Infection
- Poor wound healing particularly with smokers
- Numbness of the skin or changes in sensation of the skin
- Asymmetry
- Wound separation
- Discolouration of the skin
- Excessive skin loss
- Recurrent loss of elasticity, needing revision surgery
- Persistent pain
- Swelling in the legs
These risks and side effects can generally be minimised by following the precautions and aftercare instructions provided to you by your surgeon.
Belt Lipectomy Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a mini tummy tuck, a tummy tuck, and a belt lipectomy procedure?
A mini tummy tuck focuses on removing excess skin and excess fat from the abdominal region right below the navel. A full tummy tuck (Abdominoplasty) reduces the abdominal region by removing the excess skin from the entire abdominal region.
A belt lipectomy on the other hand may remove excess skin from the waistline, hips, flanks, and buttocks. It is a circumferential abdominoplasty procedure that can improve the functionality of the lower body.
Further Medical Reading
Book a Consultation
To find out more about the belt lipectomy procedure, or to get started, book a detailed consultation with Dr Mark Doyle, a specialist plastic and cosmetic surgeon.
About Dr Mark Doyle FRACS (Plas) – Queensland Plastic Surgeon
Servicing patients in Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Cairns and New South Wales NSW – Northern Rivers, Byron Bay, Ballina, Lismore and more.
Dr Mark Doyle is a fully qualified Specialist Plastic Surgeon with over 30 years of experience performing breast, body, face and nose surgery. He has completed all required training and only carries out approved surgical practices. There are NO undertrained doctors or cosmetic doctors acting as surgeons at Gold Coast Plastic Surgery.
