Body Lift Surgery
Thu 12th Jun 2025
What Is Lower Body Lift Surgery?
Lower Body Lift Surgery (Also Known as Belt Lipectomy) is a procedure that addresses excess fat and skin in the lower abdomen, upper outer thighs, hips and buttocks to improve the appearance of these body parts.The procedure is a 2-in-1 procedure that combines a Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) and a Buttock Lift to achieve a tighter midsection, lifted buttocks and lifted pubic region.
The procedure suits individuals with sagging skin in the lower abdominal, thigh or buttock regions due to significant weight loss, pregnancy or ageing.
What Other Names Are Used To Describe This Surgery?
A Lower Body Lift is an operation that often goes by other names. These include:
- Belt Lipectomy
- 360 Tummy Tuck
- Total Body Lift
- Lower Truncoplasty
- Body Lift
All these operations essentially refer to the same thing—a circumferential scar used to perform a Tummy Tuck combined with a Buttock Lift (and Outer Thigh Lift).
What Areas Are Treated in Body Lift Surgery?
Body Lift Surgery addresses the abdominal area (extending around the sides into the lower back), the pubic area, the thighs (upper outer region) and the upper buttocks.
What Is the Difference Between Body Contouring Surgery and Body Lift Surgery?
While Body Lift Surgery focuses on the lower abdomen, buttocks and outer thighs, Body Contouring surgery refers to multiple possible surgical procedures designed to address every area of the body that can be affected by excess skin issues. Lower Body Lift Surgery is one of several procedures that comprise Body Contouring Surgery. Dr Eddy Dona developed a system that categorises the key surgical procedures in Body Contouring Surgery, and he refers to this as the 7 B’s of Body Contouring Surgery.
Body Lift Surgery After Weight Loss
After weight loss, whether through lifestyle changes or surgical intervention, excess skin can become an issue. The skin has previously stretched to accommodate the additional fatty tissue gained, but has passed its elastic limit and cannot return to normal.
The excess skin can create significant health and lifestyle concerns, particularly regarding skin hygiene, and chronic rashes and infections may ensue. It also causes difficulty in walking and exercising and affects posture.
Excess skin is also an issue because it’s aesthetically displeasing and compromises body image. It’s challenging for individuals to find appropriately sized and functional clothing, which can make day-to-day activities cumbersome. Eventually, it may even feel like no transformation ever occurred since they had the same issues when they were overweight.
The good news is that Body Lift Surgery can alleviate these problems. The areas modified during this procedure (lower abdomen, thighs and buttocks) are often the most affected in these instances, making Lower Body Lift Surgery a key component of Body Contouring Surgery after massive weight loss.
Your Body Lift Surgery Consultation With Dr Dona
Your Initial Consultation with Dr Dona will give you an insight into what your body will look like after surgery. First, Dr Dona will assess your overall health, including any existing medical conditions, current medications, previous surgeries, and lifestyle factors such as smoking and alcohol consumption. These factors play a significant role in the success of the surgery and the overall recovery. He’ll also need to know how stable your weight has been because weight fluctuations can disrupt the results of Body Lift Surgery.
During your consultation, you can ask questions and raise any concerns. You’ll be well-informed about what to expect before, during and after the surgery. You’ll also get instructions on lifestyle modifications and diet before and after the surgery. You can book a consultation now.
Ideal Candidate for Body Lift Surgery in Sydney
Body Lift Surgery may not be suitable for everyone, so Dr Dona always conducts an initial assessment for each individual considering the procedure.
In general, the ideal candidate for Body Lift Surgery in Sydney is someone who:
- Has significant sagging skin in one or multiple body areas
- Has no medical conditions or isn’t taking any medications (such as blood thinners) that can increase risk and impair healing
- Has realistic expectations of the results
- Does not smoke or consume nicotine.
- Has maintained a stable weight for at least six months.
If you satisfy all these criteria, you have a great chance of a successful outcome after Body Lift Surgery. However, this is not to say that complications cannot still develop. That’s why you should discuss all outcomes with Dr Dona before surgery.
How Is Body Lift Surgery Performed?
Your surgery will be performed under general anaesthesia (this means that you will be put to sleep), and you will need to stay in hospital for at least two days after surgery.
Body Lift Surgery involves a circumferential incision within your belt line, placed such that it can be easily hidden within regular pants and underwear. This allows for a full Tummy Tuck, an Outer Thigh Lift and Buttock Lift. After removing excess skin and fat, Dr Dona will tighten the deep tissue using sutures to support the new, contoured shape of the body. The entire procedure typically takes between four and six hours.
Recovery After Body Lift Surgery
When you wake up from surgery, you will notice that the head of your bed is elevated. All your wounds are covered using waterproof dressings, and four plastic tubes (two on either side) are adjacent to your wounds to drain fluid from the surgical site. You’ll have at least one drip in place to give your intravenous fluids, pain medication and antibiotics. You’ll also have a catheter in your bladder so you don’t have to move around to pee. After surgery, you’ll feel pain, numbness and tightness in the surgical areas, but these will gradually resolve as you heal.
Two days after surgery, we will remove all tubes, drains, drips, and catheters, and you can start to move around freely. However, a nurse or physiotherapist will assist you in getting out of bed the day after surgery, allowing you to start moving. When leaving the clinic, you’ll receive pain medications, antibiotics, and instructions that you must follow to ensure optimal recovery.
You will receive detailed written pre- and post-operative instructions before your surgery, which you should always reference during your surgical journey.
All patients will be scheduled to return to our clinic at least three times per week for the first three weeks so that we can keep a careful eye on you during your early, crucial healing phase. Part of this follow-up includes multiple LED light therapy sessions, PRP treatments and a variety of other treatment modalities to give you the best chance of achieving optimal results.
You’ll wear a compression garment to reduce swelling for at least six weeks after surgery. Recovery is a gradual process, and you’ll generally be able to do most activities six weeks after surgery. Dr Dona will answer all your questions about your recovery before your surgery, including sleeping, driving, sex, exercise, swimming, etc. However, the general rule is to go at your own pace. Total recovery from the surgery is usually not until six months after surgery, although your scars will take a year or longer to mature.
Risks and Potential Complications
Every surgery carries risks, whether from anaesthesia or the surgical procedure itself. Although experienced plastic surgeons like Dr Dona have advanced techniques that minimise risks and potential complications to the least extent possible, it’s never a hundred per cent guarantee.
Common complications from any surgery include bleeding, wound infection, allergic reactions, blood clots, anaesthetic issues and pain. Specific complications from Body Lift Surgery include:
- Asymmetry – Differences between the right and left sides or skin unevenness.
- Abnormal Scarring – Some people will end up having keloids or hypertrophic scars, which are thick, red, itchy, and raised scars at the sites of incision.
- Swelling – This is quite normal, and compression garments are used to help reduce swelling.
- Numbness – Loss of sensation around the operated areas is normal and usually resolves in a few weeks after surgery.
- Seromas – This is an abnormal accumulation of tissue fluid in the surgical site. We may need to drain this with a needle if it happens.
- Repeat Surgery – Some people may require additional surgery to refine the initial procedure results.
Never hesitate to contact Dr Dona if you experience symptoms like fever, worsening pain, redness, swelling, difficulty breathing, bleeding or pus draining from the surgical site.
How Much Does Body Lift Surgery Cost?
The best way to know the exact cost of your surgery is to book a consultation with Dr Dona now. Body Lift Surgery costs are not fixed because the procedure is tailored to the individual’s needs. It covers operating theatre costs (including general anaesthesia), the procedure and the post-operative stay. Your quote will include the total out–of–pocket cost, with no hidden expenses, taking into consideration your Private Health Insurance status and eligibility for the Medicare rebate.
Does Medicare Cover Body Lift Surgery?
Yes, Medicare rebates are often available for people who need Body Lift Surgery and can significantly reduce out–of–pocket costs. If you’re eligible for the Medicare rebate and have the appropriate level of Private Health Insurance, you should be able to cover all your hospital fees.
Does Private Health Insurance Cover Body Lift Surgery?
Whether your Private Health Insurance will contribute to your Body Lift Surgery depends on your health insurance provider and the level of private health cover you have. You can only know for sure when you book a consultation with Dr Dona. If you are not eligible for the Medicare rebate towards Body Lift Surgery, then your Private Health Insurance provider will not contribute to your total surgery costs.
