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Body Lift (Belt Lipectomy)
Procedure Spotlight
- Helps contour and tighten loose skin and fat around the abdomen, flanks, back and buttocks.
- Removes excess skin and tissue resulting from significant weight loss.
- Improves body shape and symmetry, especially in the abdomen, flanks, and buttocks.
- Restores more comfortable and functional body contour making exercise and daily activity easier.
- This procedure is also known as 360 degree abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) or circumferential abdominoplasty.
Remember that body lift surgery is not a substitute for weight loss.
Technique
A body lift is a comprehensive procedure that reshapes the lower body by removing loose, stretched skin and tightening the underlying tissues. It is performed under general anaesthetic in an accredited hospital, with only highly trained specialist anaesthetists.
The operation involves a continuous incision that typically runs around the torso from front to back. The surgery starts with the patient lying on his/her tummy to remove the excess tissue on the back. He also uses the sagging fat of your buttock as a flap to augment the buttocks. This is like fat grafting (“Brazilian But lift”) without the risk or complication of the latter. Once the back is finished and closed you are turned to your back and an abdominoplasty is performed where Dr Safvat removes excess skin and fat and tightens the underlying muscles and tissues. This gives a more natural and smooth contoured shape. The exact pattern and extent of incisions are tailored to each patient’s body and the areas most affected by skin laxity.
A body lift addresses the abdomen, flanks, and buttocks (and to a lesser extent the upper thighs) in one procedure. In some cases, liposuction is performed at the same time to refine contours and remove stubborn fat deposits.
Dr Safvat uses meticulous techniques to minimise tension on the skin closure and improve scar quality. Drains and suction dressings are placed temporarily to reduce fluid build-up, and you are required to wear a surgical compression garment for around six weeks following surgery.
The procedure duration depends on each individual patient plan, but often it is around eight hours. Typically, hospital stay ranges from five to eight nights, depending on extent of the surgery and patient factors.
A body lift reshapes the abdomen, hips and thighs after major weight loss, with most patients staying five to eight nights in hospital and returning to light activity within a few weeks.
Procedure Snapshot
Anaesthetic Type:
General Anaesthetic
Length of Surgery:
7-8 hours
Stay in Hospital:
5-8 nights
Downtime:
4-6 weeks
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Recovery
A body lift is a major surgery, and recovery takes time and support. You will require assistance with daily tasks during the first few weeks after your discharge from hospital. Heavy lifting and strenuous activity must be avoided for at least six weeks. Short walks are encouraged soon after surgery to reduce the risk of complications.
After surgery, wearing a surgical garment is essential for six weeks to support healing and reduce swelling.
Dr Safvat advises patients to take at least four weeks off work (depending on the type of work you do). Swelling and bruising are expected, but will settle over time. Full healing and visible results may take several months as swelling subsides and skin settles.
Follow up appointments with Dr Safvat are scheduled regularly following surgery to ensure recovery is on track, to answer questions, and to provide ongoing support and care.
Final results can take up to a year, to appear. Healing varies for everyone, but following Dr Safvat’s aftercare instructions will help achieve the best outcome.
Preparation
Being in your best possible health before surgery is essential for both safety and results. Smoking and excess weight are known to increase the risk of complications following a Body Lift procedure, so Dr Safvat requires patients to stop smoking at least four weeks prior to surgery and to work towards a healthy, stable weight beforehand.
To support a smoother recovery, patients should also be as fit and well as possible going into surgery. Certain medications and supplements that may increase bleeding will need to be stopped before your operation, as advised by Dr Safvat.
Scars
Scarring is expected with any surgery, including Body Lift. Incisions are placed in areas that can be concealed under clothing wherever possible. Dr Safvat is very meticulous with his suturing and uses specialised techniques to suture the wounds which are designed to minimise scarring. Over time, with appropriate wound care and scar management, scars will fade and become less noticeable.
Dr Safvat will provide you with his specific protocol for scar management that will help you protect and care for your incisions in a way that will minimise scarring. Patients who have followed Dr Safvat’s protocol for scar management diligently, have been very pleased with their progress in reducing and fading of scars.
Dr Safvat will also include LED Light Therapy sessions (available in Miranda only) which will assist with wound healing, scarring and recovery.
Frequently asked questions
Body lift is a major surgery and it is important that patients are prepared for the recovery period. It is for those who have excess tissue at the front, the flank and back area. Dr Safvat will assess your overall health, the quality of your skin, the areas involved, and whether it is the right procedure for you. Realistic expectations on outcome are essential. Body Lift surgery is not a substitute for weight loss.
Liposuction is often used alongside body lift to sculpt areas that are not just loose skin but have fat deposits. However, other surgeries such as brachioplasty, thigh lift or breast reduction need to be staged after the body lift procedure to prioritise safety and healing as well as final results.
While all care and diligence is taken by Dr Safvat to minimise or avoid complications, any surgical procedure can be associated with some general complications and/or specific complications related to the surgery you are having. Choosing a Specialist Plastic Surgeon with experience and expertise such as Dr Safvat and having your procedure done in an accredited hospital minimises risks, as does using accredited Anaesthetists.
Some potential general surgical complications are:
- Infection that may require antibiotics (Dr Safvat prescribes all patients antibiotics after surgery to minimise this risk).
- Fluid build-up under the skin (seroma).
- Allergic reaction to dressings and other items used during the procedure.
- The formation of blood collection (haematoma) which could require additional surgery.
- Scars heal differently in different people. Some people are genetically prone to develop keloid scars. Hypertrophic scars develop when there is a complication in the healing process. Whilst not ideal, there is no threat to your health if you develop these.
- Anyone can have a heart attack or stroke from a clot. This risk is slightly increased with general anaesthetics.
Some potential complications specifically related to Body Lift surgery are:
- Visible and prominent scarring.
- Numbness around the incision site is very common, and in most cases improves with time.
- Areas of skin that may not heal and could require further surgery.
- A blood clot (deep vein thrombosis) in the leg or chest that could require further treatment. Dr Safvat will take all preventative measures to minimise this risk (including calf compressors, TED stockings and blood thinning injection).
Body lift surgery has a Medicare item number however specific criteria needs to be met such as massive weight loss (more than 5 BMI points), stable weight for six months and symptoms associated with the excess sagging tissue. Dr Safvat will discuss your eligibility during your consultation. If you are eligible for the item number it means that some rebates may be available from Medicare and your Private Health Insurer (dependent on level of cover) The Ethique Plastic Surgery team will provide detailed cost estimates including estimate of rebates after your consultation.
Dr Safvat does the Body Lift (Lipectomy) procedure in the Sydney region (Sutherland Shire and Inner West) as well as in the Southern Highlands, NSW. He only operates in fully accredited Private Hospitals, these being Kareena Private Hospital (Caringbah), Strathfield Private Hospital and Southern Highlands Private Hospital (Bowral).
Before and Afters
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Dr Safvat is a fully qualified Specialist Plastic Surgeon. Every patient is unique and results may vary. Any surgical procedure carries risks which need to be discussed with your doctor to ensure you are fully informed and realistic outcomes have been explained. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
These photos are of actual patients of Dr Safvat. Each has given consent for the photos to be used by Dr Safvat only.
DR ANDRE SAFVAT (MED1155201)
Registered Medical Practitioner, Specialist Plastic Surgeon (specialist registration in Surgery – Plastic surgery).
Dr André Safvat - Specialist Plastic Surgeon
Renowned for his dedication to his patients, his attention to detail and impeccable outcomes, Dr Safvat's unparalleled expertise is reflected in the quality, professionalism and dedication of every member of our team.
