Belt Lipectomy | Plastic Surgery | Harley Clinic

For people who want to achieve a smoother, more contoured silhouette, the waistline is the ideal starting point. A belt lipectomy, often referred to as a lower body lift, is designed to remove excess skin and fat from this area, resulting in significant changes to the way it looks. It’s a typical source of frustration for individuals who have worked hard to lose a lot of weight, whether through bariatric surgery, dieting, or lifestyle changes, only to find stubborn skin refusing to shift around the hips. Here at Harley Clinic, located in the heart of London’s prestigious Harley Street, we offer expert belt lipectomy surgery to help those individuals complete their transformations.

The belt lipectomy is a comprehensive procedure that will enhance the physical appearance of the waistline, but will also make you feel more comfortable and confident in your own skin. For this reason, it’s an increasingly popular choice for individuals looking to refine their lower body. Want to know how a belt lipectomy can work for you? Our expert team is here to guide you every step of the way.

What is a Belt Lipectomy?

To remove excess skin and fat around the abdomen, lower back, and flanks, the belt lipectomy is an extensive, panoramic surgery. Whereas less comprehensive procedures tend to target specific areas, the belt lipectomy focuses on the entire waistline, offering 360-degree improvement. For individuals who have lost a substantial amount of weight (typically three stone or more), sagging skin can be a real problem, and often won’t budge even with exercise and dieting. The surgery helps get rid of it, revealing the natural body shape underneath. You can learn more about what a lower body lift includes.

Other surgeries such as liposuction, focus specifically on fat removal, but belt lipectomy is primarily there to excise loose skin, though a thin layer of subcutaneous fat attached to the skin will be removed as part of the process. It’s performed under general anaesthetic, combining elements of a tummy tuck with additional skin removal around the back and hips. The result? A tighter, more defined waistline that better reflects your weight loss efforts. It’s more than just a change in your appearance, it’s a way of winning back your body confidence and feeling happy about the way you look.

If you’re wondering whether a belt lipectomy is right for you, contact us to discuss your goals.

Belt Lipectomy: Quick Overview

Surgery Time: 3 hours
Anaesthetic: General
Hospital Stay: Day or overnight
Dressing and Garments: Dressings changes at 2 weeks, compression garments for 6 weeks
Time Off Work: 2-3 weeks
Exercise: 6 Weeks
Mobile: 1 week
Washing: 2-3 days
Sleeping Position: upper body and legs slightly lifted for 4 weeks
Full Recovery: 6 weeks

Who is a Belt Lipectomy For?

Belt lipectomy is ideal for individuals who:

Have lost significant weight and are near their goal weight.
Are frustrated by the excess skin around their abdomen, hips, and lower back.
Generally find themselves in good health and are ready to undertake major surgery.
Find that overhanging skin causes chafing or irritation.

It might be the case that you’re still losing weight or have excess fat (rather than skin) that you want to get rid of. If so, your surgeon might suggest waiting or else exploring other options, such as liposuction, first.

Unsure? Book a consultation to find out more.

Why Choose Belt Lipectomy?

Though there are a number of reasons why an individual might have belt lipectomy surgery, it is, above all, a deeply personal decision. For many, it might be because they want to complete their weight loss journey, achieving a body aesthetic that reflects all the hard work they’ve put in. Excess skin might also be the last reminder of an individual’s former size following weight loss, giving them even more of an incentive to shed it. There are also a number of aesthetic and practical benefits:

Improved Body Contours: By achieving a tighter waistline, you can naturalise your overall silhouette.
Boosted Confidence: Seeing your body reflect your hard work can be transformative to how you feel about your body.
Reduced Discomfort: Skin folds can chafe and irritate, making belt lipectomy a path towards greater comfort.
Clothing Fit: Without excess, you might find that everyday clothing and swimwear fit better.

Though recovery after belt lipectomy surgery can be hard work, most patients find that it’s worth it for the physical and emotional relief that the procedure provides. Explore more body contouring treatments here.

What Happens During Belt Lipectomy Surgery?

Being as comprehensive as it is, belt lipectomy surgery is complex and requires skill and precision to perform. It can take between 3 and 5 hours to perform, and here’s what to expect in that time:

Preparation: The procedure is performed under general anaesthetic to maximise comfort.
Back Incision: You’ll begin the surgery lying face down so that the surgeon can make an incision above the buttocks. Excess skin will then be removed from the lower back and flanks through the incisions, which will then be closed up with dissolvable stitches.
Front Incision: The next step starts with turning you onto your back and making an incision from hip to hip across the lower abdomen. Through this incision, the surgeon will remove excess skin and tighten the stomach muscles for a flatter profile.
Muscle Tightening: As mentioned above, the abdominal muscles might be sutured together to enhance firmness. This is a key part of the tummy tuck component—read more about what a lower body lift includes.
Finishing Touches: The surgeon might insert drains to prevent the buildup of fluid, before the incisions are closed carefully to minimise scarring.

This dual-phase approach ensures a comprehensive result that addresses the entire waistline. At Harley Clinic, our surgeons prioritise patient safety and results, tailoring the procedure to your body’s unique needs.

What to Expect During the Procedure

Because the procedure is done under general anaesthetic, you won’t feel a thing while it’s ongoing. Though the surgical team will reposition you during the operation, they will do so seamlessly. The incisions, meanwhile, are strategically placed to hide scars within natural body contours (such as, for example, under the bikini line) wherever possible.

What Should You Expect at Your Consultation?

During your consultation, you need to have an open and honest conversation so that your surgeon can determine if you are suitable for the procedure. Your surgeon will ask you questions about your health, expectations, and lifestyle. You will talk about the procedure, the techniques, and any risks associated with the surgery.

The most important factor in preparing your procedure is your health. The surgery requires a general anaestheticic, so you should stop smoking at least 6 weeks before the procedure. If you are unwell prior to your procedure, you will need to postpone your surgery.

Recovery and Results from Belt Lipectomy Surgery

Patience is a virtue when it comes to belt lipectomy recovery, as it’s a gradual process. Here’s what you can expect:

Immediate Aftermath: There’ll be soreness, swelling and bruising around the waistline, each of which can be managed with pain medication.
First 2 Weeks: Swelling can be reduced and healing supported with a compression garment. During this period, try to avoid bending at the waist or lifting anything heavy. You’ll need to stay at home.
Weeks 2-4: Light walking is encouraged to promote circulation, but strenuous activity is off-limits. Drains, if used, are typically removed within this period, but your surgeon will how to empty them safely.
Weeks 6-8: By this point, you should be able to resume normal exercise and activities. If you’re considering high-impact workouts, it might still be worth talking with your surgeon just to make sure.
Long-Term Results: Once that swelling has fully subsided (this might take 4-6 months), the final contours will become visible after 1-2 years. To make sure of this, try to maintain a stable weight.

Results can vary from patient to patient, but by following your surgeon’s advice and maintaining a healthy lifestyle in the long term after surgery, you should see the transformative benefits of belt lipectomy. Check out our body treatments for more options.

Practical Recovery Tips

If you’ve decided to have belt lipectomy surgery and are getting ready for the procedure, it’s important to make all the necessary preparations. This way, your recovery will be smoother and the results more pronounced.

Arrange Support: Make sure you have a friend or family member around to help you with daily tasks during the first 2 weeks of recovery.
Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water to help with the healing process.
Monitor Incisions: Keep the incisions clean and dry. If you notice any worrying signs, such as redness or oozing, report these to your surgeon, as they might be indicative of infection.
Be Patient: Results improve slowly over time, so keep this in mind if you ever find yourself frustrated with the process.

Belt Lipectomy FAQs

What’s the difference between a belt lipectomy and a tummy tuck?

A tummy tuck focuses solely on the abdomen, removing skin and tightening the muscles in that area. With a belt lipectomy, you get a more panoramic procedure, which focuses on the entire waistline, including the back and flanks. This provides a full lower body contouring, rather than just a frontal one.

A belt lipectomy can be performed alongside other procedures, including liposuction, breast lift, arm lift, or facelift.

How long is the recovery from belt lipectomy surgery?

You can generally expect recovery from belt lipectomy surgery to take 6-8 weeks. You’ll be mobile within a week and back to light activities within 2-3. All of this is dependent on how your healing progresses, and you can talk with your surgeon if you run into any problems during the process.

Will a belt lipectomy leave visible scars?

Yes, scarring is unavoidable, but the incisions will be placed in strategic places to make them as invisible as possible (for example, below the bikini line). Over the course of 1-2 years, you’ll find that the scarring fades significantly.

How much does a belt lipectomy cost in the UK?

Though it’s generally dependent on the specific procedure’s complexity and the expertise of the surgeon performing it, you can expect a belt lipectomy to cost between £8,000 and £12,000. To get a personalised quote, contact us today, and we can get you one during your consultation.

Can I combine a belt lipectomy with other procedures?

Absolutely. It’s common for people to pair belt lipectomy with liposuction, a thigh lift, or an arm lift for a more complete body transformation. If you’re considering any extra procedures, speak to your surgeon, and they can create a tailored plan for you.

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