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BELT LIPECTOMY

Belt Lipectomy Shreveport & Monroe

It is no secret that the midsection is a difficult area to tighten and tone. Add dramatic weight loss, fluctuations in weight, or pregnancies to the mix and a trim waist may seem impossible to achieve. It’s understandable to be disappointed by what seems like a lack of progress – but whatever you do, don’t blame yourself! Stretched skin and muscle damage are often the result of weight gain or pregnancy. This isn’t always something that exercise and a healthy diet can repair on its own. Thankfully, there are a range of cosmetic procedures out there, such as a belt lipectomy, that can help you achieve the hourglass figure you desire.

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What is a Lipectomy?

Also known as a body lift, a belt lipectomy is a technique that is comparable to a tummy tuck. However, it is a more thorough procedure and involves a larger portion of the midsection. A belt lipectomy involves the surgical removal of extra skin and fat from the sides, back, and belly by your cosmetic surgeon. Your muscles are also reconstructed in this procedure. 

Once the damaged and sagging skin is removed, your surgeon stretches the skin from above the incision to meet the skin at the top of the incision. This also tones and smooths the buttocks and thighs, as well as the midsection and back. In some cases, liposuction may also be included in the procedure to remove concerning areas of fat. 

What is the Difference Between a Belt Lipectomy and a Tummy Tuck?

A tummy tuck can be performed in a variety of ways. For example, there are mini tummy tuck procedures, standard or traditional procedures, and even an extended procedure that seeks to minimize scar length while still removing the essential amount of skin and fat. There are also drain-free tummy tuck procedures available for those concerned with drain-related recovery.

Loose skin and muscles primarily below the navel are the focus of a mini tummy tuck. A full or “standard” tummy tuck focuses on the abdomen both above and below the navel. Patients with significant extra skin and who need extensive skin management may benefit from an extended tummy tuck, which includes an additional midline scar in addition to the low transverse scar.

In a belt lipectomy, a tummy tuck is merely a component of the procedure. In addition to the shaping and lifting of the abdomen, however, sagging outer hips and buttocks are also lifted in a lipectomy procedure. This requires an incision that goes around the back of the waistline and over the upper portion of the buttocks. 

Buttock contouring operations are frequently used in conjunction with other procedures to increase projection and form, and the ultimate result can produce dramatic alterations in body shape and contour. Often, contouring procedures such as a Brazilian butt lift are used on the buttocks to provide an often dramatic change to their projection and curve. A belt lipectomy seeks to contour both the stomach and these buttocks/hips regions without the need for a butt lift or separate gluteal augmentation in Shreveport

Belt Lipectomy vs. Tummy Tuck: Which Procedure is Best For You?

Tummy tuck surgery is typically best for post-pregnancy or older patients who have increased looseness of the abdominal muscles or extra abdominal fat, but still have definition and tone in their thighs and buttocks.

Patients who have lost a significant amount of weight and have plenty of extra skin as a result may best achieve their goals with Shreveport body contouring procedures such as a belt lipectomy. Consult with your plastic surgeon to determine which procedure may be best for you. Understanding the total recovery process, dangers, scar patterns, and surgical options are crucial to a successful outcome and a healthy patient-doctor relationship.

Is a Lower Body Lift Right For You?

A lower body lift, or lipectomy, is not suitable for everyone. While the outcomes are transformative, there are a few important things to keep in mind. When determining if a belt lipectomy is right for you, ask yourself these questions:

  • Are you at or near your goal weight? When you’ve lost most of your excess weight and have reached a stable weight that’s within 20 pounds of your desired weight, it’s time to think about body sculpting after weight loss. Most bariatric patients must wait 12-18 months after their weight loss surgery to undergo this procedure.
  • Are you willing to undergo extensive surgery to reach your desired results? A lower body lift is a major surgery with an often lengthy recovery time. Recuperation is a 1-2 month process.
  • Is extra skin for scars an acceptable trade to you? You will have some scars after the surgery. Decide whether you are more comfortable with extra skin or considerable scar tissue.

If your answer to these three questions is “yes,” then belt lipectomy surgery may be a great option for your weight loss journey. 

Recovery For Belt Lipectomy Surgery

A belt lipectomy is a cosmetic treatment that takes a significant time to recuperate from, as the procedure is expensive and often involves various sections of the body. The surgery may take up to 5-8 hours to complete and some patients may require an overnight hospital stay. While the exact amount of recovery time differs from person to person, two to three weeks is generally the average amount of time for most patients to resume light activities. A full recovery may take closer to two months or more.

How Much Does a Belt Lipectomy Cost?

No two patients and no two procedures are alike, so the cost for a lipectomy varies from patient to patient. As a result, there are a number of factors that help determine total cost. One major contributing factor, for example, is the amount of excess skin that needs to be removed. The procedure takes more time and is more expensive the more extra skin that requires removal. 

The need for additional procedures also affects the cost of the surgery. Liposuction may be an addition to the lipectomy and performed at the same time. In addition, the removal of loose skin in other areas of the body such as their thighs, arms, or neck may be required. 

Other factors that contribute to the cost of the procedure include where you have the surgery. Costs in major cities tend to run higher than in other locations. We tend to see a lot of people seeking belt lipectomy surgery in foreign countries like Mexico due to their lower costs. However, the statement “you get what you pay for” is extremely applicable when it comes to cosmetic surgeries. Trying to save money by visiting a less experienced surgeon can end up costing you more money in the long run, specifically if the surgery is botched and you require corrective surgery. Please be wary of any type of cheap cosmetic procedure, as the safety and quality standards may not be nearly as high as those in a professional setting headed by a board-certified surgeon. 

Another cost consideration you may want to take into account is the amount of time you’ll need to be off work to recover. The time off work should be factored into your total cost. Your plastic surgeon can give you a better overall pricing estimate during your consultation. 

When Does Insurance Cover a Belt Lipectomy?

There are various symptoms that you may encounter if you lose fifty to one hundred pounds of excess weight and have excess skin. If you can’t exercise or otherwise develop infections because of your loose skin, it could seriously impact your health and wellbeing. In these cases, health insurance may cover some or all of the costs of belt lipectomy surgery.

However, if your lipectomy surgery is purely for cosmetic or reconstructive purposes, insurance will not pay for it. If this is the case and you are concerned about the cost of such a surgery, there are financing and payment options available to you that can help you cover the cost of your procedure, such as medical financing. Companies like CareCredit offer a line of credit that can be used to pay for your procedure. 

You’ll want to check with your health insurance provider because every insurance carrier and policy is different. Be sure to pay attention to the fine print if the surgery is covered. For example, you may have to wait a minimum of six months to undergo the surgery after an extreme loss of weight. Weight loss surgery patients often face a longer wait of between 12 to 18 months after surgery.

Interested in a Belt Lipectomy? Call Dr. Forrest Wall at The Plastic Surgery Center Today

It’s important to have confidence and feel at home in your own body. That’s why we provide a number of options for boosting your self-confidence and quality of life. Here at The Plastic Surgery Center in Shreveport and Monroe, we offer a variety of cosmetic procedures and treatments to help you look and feel your best. If you’re interested in a belt lipectomy or other cosmetic procedure, please call our office at 318-221-1629 to book an appointment with our board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Forrest Wall. You may also fill out our online intake form. We look forward to hearing from you!