If you lost a lot of weight after weight-loss surgery, this surgery may be an option for you.

You may not like how you look if you have extra folds of skin tissue.

These skin folds are not just unsightly, but they can also cause other problems.

These can include:

• Discomfort
• Swelling, rash, or ulcers between the skin folds in your groin. This can
• lead to an infection.
• Problems with hygiene
• Trouble walking
• Trouble urinating
• Trouble with sexual activity
• Poor self-esteem

During your first visit, your plastic surgeon will likely:

• Review your medical history. About current and past medical conditions. Talk about any medications you're taking or have taken recently.
• Do a physical exam. To determine your treatment options, we will examine the abdomen, flanks and back. Photos of your body will be taken for your medical record.
• Discuss your expectations. Explain why you want Belt Lipectomy and what you're hoping for in terms of appearance after the procedure. Make sure you understand the benefits and risks, including scarring.
• You have reached a stable weight. If you lose weight after your surgery, new pockets of sagging skin may form. If you gain a lot of weight after your surgery, it can harm your already weakened skin. This can cause more stretch marks and wide scars.
• Stop Smoking. If you smoke, you have to stop smoking for at least 2 weeks before surgery and during recovery.
• Avoid certain medications. Like aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements, which can increase bleeding.

Mostly belt lipectomy is a combination of three essential methods:

1. Extended tummy tuck
2. Lateral thigh/waist lift
3. Buttock Lift

The procedure is almost similar to extended abdominoplasty except the fact that the incisions are made just above the vertical space between the buttocks (above the upper area of gluteal cleft).

The incision runs all the way to the middle line of the back.

This procedure can also be done with the patient lying on the stomach and then he/she is turned onto the back.

Depending on the extent of surgery the whole procedure may take 4-6 hours.

Below are the steps:

• Anesthesia

For patient’s comfort general anesthesia is given in most of the cases.

• Incision

Circumferential incision is created that extends around patient’s torso.

The incision runs around the body to remove excess of fat and skin from abdomen, buttocks, thighs, waist and hip.

• Removal of excess skin, fat and repositioning

Through the incision excess of fat and skin is removed, repositioned and tissues are tightened. The patient is positioned on their side or the tummy.

The remaining skin in thighs and buttock is pulled up, and the underlying tissues and skin are suspended and tightened.

Once the sides and back are addressed, the patient is positioned on the back.

Now to treat there are two options.

One is to combine belt lipectomy with an abdominal contouring tummy tuck.

If you already had a tummy tuck or there is no need for abdominal contouring the other option is to conjugate lipectomy with an inner thigh lift.

We will discuss both these options with you before the surgery.

• Closing the incision

To control swelling your surgeon will close the incision over the drains in multiple layers.

Within the underlying tissues, deep support sutures are made to help in the formation of underlying contour.

The incision is closed with tapes, adhesives or sutures.

The patient is transferred to the recovery room after the surgery.

• On waking up, you will find that surgical drains are placed within the incisions to drain the excess of blood and fluid.
• Compression garments are placed at the time of surgery or afterwards to support the suspended tissues, reduce swelling and smoothen or flatten the skin.
• More likely you are to spend at least two days in the hospital. Once your condition is normal, you are sent home.
• There is a pain after the anesthesia wears off and so painkillers are given.
• Swelling and bruising remain for weeks to months.
• If you have steri-strips on your incisions, they can get wet in the shower. In next 7-14 days, they will peel off on their own. If they do not fall after 14 days, remove them gently.
• Until dressing is removed, it is advised to take a sponge bath. The dry dressing is applied if wounds are oozing and needs to be changed every day.
• The patient may return to light work in 2 weeks after the procedure. It may take 3-6 weeks for complete recovery.
• After six weeks, you will be able to return to more active physical activities.
• The scar is visible but fades away with time and is hidden in the bikini line.
• Results are immediate but are apparent only after the swelling subsides. Effects are long-lasting, but you need to maintain a stable and a healthy weight.

For fast recovery following precautions are to be taken after the surgery:

• Sleep using pillows to minimize pressure on the incisions, facilitate thinner scars and reduce the pain.
• Avoid strenuous activity and lifting heavy weight for one and a half months.
• Avoid sports contact during the recovery period.
• Do not wear tight clothing.
• Do not smoke for six weeks post-surgery.
• Drink plenty of water (At least 3 liters in a day). This will prevent constipation.
• Do not soak incision sites for two weeks post-surgery. Take pain medications and antibiotics as prescribed.
• Do not drive until your surgeon gives you a green signal.
• Take rest and nap throughout the day for the first few weeks. Do not exhaust yourself.
• Walk slowly for a few times in a day to prevent a blood clot.
• You will be on a liquid diet for the first day which is followed by light diet for a few more days. Resume slowly to your regular diet as instructed by your doctor.
• Avoid taking NSAIDs and thinning blood medicines.

If you gain weight after having a lower body lift, new pockets of loose and saggy skin will be formed.

Also gaining lots of weight after the surgery will harm your already weakened skin resulting in extensive scars and more stretch marks.

This is why it is always advised to gain a stable weight before the surgery.

No, if you want fuller buttocks along with the lower body lift, redundant fat and skin that is cut away from around the waist is used to enhance buttocks.

Also, fat grafting can be done.