Whether you would like to tighten up after losing a lot of weight, a body lift ("belt lipectomy" or "lower body lift") is an excellent way to contour the abdomen, thighs, and buttocks.

The body lift, also known as a belt lipectomy or lower body lift, improves the appearance of the abdomen, thighs, and buttocks.

The operation is performed typically to remove excess skin and fat following a large amount of weight loss. It can also be performed to fight the effects of getting older and having children, including excess skin, cellulite, and sagging fatty tissue. Some patients also select body lift surgeries to improve the results of gastric bypass, panniculectomy, or liposuction.

The best candidate for a body lift has had stable weight for as early as three months, but often six months to a year, and should be participating in a healthy exercise and dietary program. Candidates who have had gastric bypass, Lap-Band, or other gastric restrictive procedures should wait until at least one year after weight loss surgery so that the common health problems associated with obesity have had time to improve. Patients in this category often require plastic surgery on several areas of the body, including the stomach, thighs, flank, breast, arms, and face.

Women who plan to have children may be advised to postpone treatment until after childbearing. Normal-weight women in their 30s and 40s may opt for body lift surgery to remove remaining skin and tissue after reducing excessive post-pregnancy weight.

The operation is typically performed in a hospital. Time spent in surgery ranges from 4-7 hours and is usually performed under general anaesthesia, while you are asleep.

Although the steps of the body lift procedure differ depending on the needs of the patient, doctors often perform surgery on the stomach first, removing excess skin from the belly button to the pubic area, then tightening the abdominal wall muscle. This is the area that is most often loosened by excessive weight loss.

To treat the abdomen, a horizontal incision is made along the pubic area. Excess skin and usually fat is then removed from the pubic bone to the belly button after all the tissues have been lifted from the underlying muscles, to the level of the rib cage.

Often, the abdominal wall muscles are then tightened. The remaining skin and fat is pulled down from above the belly button area, where it is sutured in position at the pubic area. Usually the belly button is repositioned into its proper position. The procedure is repeated in the buttocks and thigh areas, making the incisions as inconspicuous as possible.

In cases that require the removal of fat, liposuction is performed prior to removing excess skin.

Body lift is a major surgical procedure and requires significant recovery time. Most patients remain in the hospital for one to three nights. Pain and discomfort are first managed with intravenous or intramuscular medications, and later with oral pain medication. A specific dietary plan may be encouraged.

Drainage tubes are inserted, which will require personal home care for up to two weeks. The doctor may provide you with a medical compression garment to wear at all times except while bathing, which you should keep wearing until your doctor lets you know it is no longer needed. Dressings are generally removed two days after surgery and showering is allowed at that time.

Restrictions on your activities could include no exercise and no lifting of five pounds or more. Walking is encouraged after surgery; however, further exercise is not recommended until sufficient healing has occurred. Most people require four to six weeks' recovery before returning to normal activities, and generally from six to eight weeks before exercising. There cannot be any pressure placed on the treated area. Approximately 75 percent of the swelling dissipates at six weeks and 90 percent at three months.

The term the "complete body lift" exists in the market. However, a body lift usually involves contouring of the abdomen, thighs, and buttocks. Certain patients following a body lift may go on to have procedures to address other areas of the body. Additional procedures may include, but not be limited to breast lift or mastoplexy, arm lift or brachioplasty, and inner thigh lift or medial thighplasty. However, having additional procedures after a body lift should not be confused with the term "complete body lift" which suggests having multiple types of procedures performed at the same time. Some doctors do perform more than one procedure at the same time. However, there are higher risks associated with performing multiple simultaneous procedures. Patients are encouraged to fully understand the risks associated with performing more than one procedure at a time.

Two common follow-up procedures are the arm lift and the inner thigh lift:

• Arm Lift (brachioplasty). An arm lift (brachioplasty) usually involves an incision along two areas: the armpit and the inside surface of the arm from the elbow to the armpit, in an inconspicuous location. Excess fat is removed through liposuction. The excessive skin is trimmed away, pulled together and sutured in place. Drainage tubes may be inserted that will require personal home care for up to one week. Dressings will be applied to the incision areas. A compression garment may be required for several weeks after surgery.

• Inner Thigh Lift (medial thighplasty). In most cases, excess fat and hanging skin is removed from the upper, inner thigh through an incision placed at the junction of the thigh with the groin. However, for individuals with more severe thigh contour problems, an incision may also be necessary which extends from the groin area along the inside of the thigh down to the knee. Excess fat is removed through liposuction. The excessive skin is trimmed away, pulled together, and sutured in place. Drainage tubes may be inserted that will require personal home care for up to two weeks. Dressings will be applied to the incision areas. A compression garment may be required for several weeks after surgery.

In every medical procedure there is a possibility of complications, which can cause a longer recovery period. The most common body lift complications include seromas (fluid accumulating under the skin) and small skin separations. Your surgeon will help to resolve these issues. Some patients experience reduced sensation in the treated area, which can be permanent. Infection, bleeding, and blood clots are much less common. The abdominal scars will appear to worsen during the first weeks or months, and may take up to 18 months before they flatten and lighten in colour. The scars never completely disappear, but can be hidden by clothing. Ask your doctor to explain the risks and treatments for complications.