Belt Lipectomy
Belt Lipectomy (Body Lift/ Extended Tummy Tuck) is also referred to as an operation designed to remove the excess skin fat and tissue around the hips and waistline in the belt distribution caused in part by poor tissue elasticity. The width of the “belt” of tissue to be removed is dependent on the amount of extra skin and fat you have.
Following removal of the tissue in this “belt” distribution, upper skin and tissue are pulled down and lower skin and tissue are pulled up giving you a much tighter and more youthful-looking body.
Surgical Procedure
The surgery typically begins with the patient in the prone position (belly down) and requires the body be turned onto the back once the initial posterior buttocks and lower back area surgery is completed. This is so that the stomach or abdominal area “tummy tuck” can be performed which completes the “belt” lipectomy.
Hospital Admission
5-7 days
Operation
6-8 hours

Anaesthetic
General Anaesthesia

 

Pre Operative Care
To ensure your safety, there is an extensive workup prior to this surgery to rule out any potentially preventable problems you undergo this surgery. A detailed history and physical is performed, this includes vital signs, food and drug allergies, supplement intake, and current medication (prescription and over the counter). We also check for any major medical problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease.
Post Operative Care
After your Belt Lipectomy procedure is completed, a dressing with bandages and binder will be in place around your abdomen and waistline to provide additional support and minimize the movement and the resultant discomfort. A small, thin tube may be temporarily placed under the skin to drain any excess blood or fluid that may collect.
Recovery is prolonged because of the requirement of avoiding bending at the waist for a month until adequate healing has occurred. It is important that the surgical incisions are not subjected to excessive force, abrasion, or motion during the time of healing You will experience some pain associated with the surgery which is usually controlled well with pain medications.
Upon discharge, you will have prescriptions for pain medication that you will take as needed, and antibiotics that you will need to take for several days to decrease the chances of infection. You should be able to resume your regular activities in about 2 weeks, although you should abstain from heavy lifting and strenuous exercise for several months.
It may take 6 months to a year for you to get completely used to your tighter stomach and body and upon completion of the healing process maintaining proper diet and exercise routine should assure a long-lasting result.
You will need to sit or walk bending slightly bending over for about a week after your surgery and your abdomen and other surgery sites may remain swollen for a month or more after your surgery. You will need to wear the support garments as instructed by your surgeon.
Risks and Complications
The breakdown of the suture line above the buttocks may happen because of a patient’s tendency to bend at the waist when performing normal hygiene which strains the suture closure pulling it apart. This usually leads to a wider scar in the posterior surgical area.
Other complications may include numbness of the area above and sometimes below the incisions, residual looseness and irregularity of the skin. You should contact your agent/ treating surgeon post-surgery or in your recovery if you have the following:
  • You have a fever.
  • Your wounds are swollen, red, or have pus coming from them.
  • You have bruises that are getting larger.
  • You have pain that does not go away, even with medicine to decrease it.
  • Your stitches come apart.
  • You have chest pain or trouble breathing that is getting worse over time.
  • You have questions or concerns about your belt lipectomy, medicine, or care.
Seek care immediately if :
  • • Your leg is swollen or painful.
  • • You have bleeding that does not stop.
  • • You have trouble breathing.
  • • You suddenly feel lightheaded and have trouble breathing.
  • • You have new and sudden chest pain. You may have more pain when you take deep breaths or cough. You may cough up blood.
  • • Your leg feels warm, tender, and painful. It may look swollen and red.
Results
The results of a Belt Lipectomy are visible almost immediately however, it may take as much as 1-2 years for the final results to fully develop. Scars will remain, but the overall results are long-lasting provided that you maintain a stable weight and general fitness and most of your initial improvement should be relatively permanent.