Belt Lipectomy

Procedures
Face
Breast
Body
Hair
Non Surgical

Indications

When one loses a lot of weight, either by diet and exercise or after weight loss surgery (bariatric surgery), the fat reduces but the extra skin doesn’t shrink due to loss of elasticity. The skin therefore hangs loose as folds around the tummy area, back, thighs, chest and arm. These folds besides looking unsightly also makes it difficult to maintain hygiene resulting in rashes and infection.
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What does the procedure achieve !

Belt lipectomy is a surgical procedure, which removes excess skin and fatty tissue from the area of the belt or the lower waist area, circumferentially, contouring the waist and lifting the thighs and buttocks.

Ideal patient for belt lipectomy are those who have reached their target weight, have stable weight for at least 6 month, do not have any major medical ailment and are committed to a healthy lifestyle even after the surgery.

Consultation

Detailed discussion with your plastic surgeon prior to surgery is very important to understand the benefits and risks of the procedure. Patients should feel free to ask whatever questions they may have regarding the surgery and recovery. Likewise, the plastic surgeon will ask you pertinent questions to evaluate if you’re a good candidate. 

Anesthesia

Belt lipectomy is a procedure done under general anesthesia and takes approximately 4-5 hours depending on how much skin is to be excised.

Full Body blood tests have to be done to check the body metabolism & any deficiency. Additionally ECG, 2D Echo, Xray chest for Anesthesia fitness. Preoperatively, the surgeon will take certain measurements and mark the skin incisions with the patient standing. 
The surgery is usually started with the patient lying on their tummy (prone) and excess skin and fatty tissue is excised from the back as marked. The incision is closed with stitches and the patient is turned to lie on the back. The rest of the skin removal is done and a subcutaneous drain (small thin tube under your skin) is inserted. The incisions are closed and a dressing is applied. The cut is designed along the bikini line so the resultant scar tends to be hidden in the innerwear.
Hospital stay is for approximately 3 days. rarely patients may be discharged with the drain, which is usually removed once the drainage falls below a certain amount. It is common to wear a pressure garment (like a corset) to help with the recovery and contouring for up to a month, depending on the surgeon’s discretion. Patients find it comfortable to be in a slightly hunched over position for a week. 

Complications

As with any surgical procedure, there are certain risks involved such as skin infection, collection of blood or fluid under the skin, delayed wound healing, numbness or altered sensations, prolonged swelling,  asymmetry or recurrent looseness of skin. However, when properly planned and executed, the risks remain low. Most patients are satisfied with the outcome. Rarely patients may need a touch up procedure to further refine the result.

FAQs

For most of the patients it is possible to resume day to day activity in approximately a week’s time and light office work in approximately 2-3 weeks time.

It is better to avoid lifting weights, doing abdominal exercises, high impact aerobics or cardio workouts for 4-6 weeks or longer, as advised by your surgeon. 

Most of the result of the procedure is seen immediately as the skin excess is removed. Final contouring may take from 6 months to a year for the swelling to go away entirely and skin to redrape and become supple again.

As of now there is No non-surgical way of tightening these loose folds of skin around the tummy area and in the majority of patients, belt lipectomy remains an immensely rewarding procedure.

After all the hard work of losing weight, getting a well-contoured figure is the reward. With a healthy lifestyle and stable weight, it is possible to maintain the shape for many years to come.