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 is pulled down while lower skin and tissue is pulled up giving you a much tighter and more youthful looking body.
Belt Lipectomy
Body lift
Extended Abdominoplasty
The surgery typically begins with the patient in the prone position (belly down) and requires the body to be turned onto the back once the initial posterior buttocks and lower back area surgery is completed so that the stomach or abdominal area “tummy tuck” can be performed which completes the “belt” lipectomy.
4-6 hours
General anesthesia - discussed with your surgeon
In order to make sure that you can undergo Belt Lipectomy as safely as possible, an extensive workup to rule out any potentially, preventable problems will be undertaken. A detailed history and physical is performed, which includes vital signs, food and drug allergies, supplement intake, and current medication (prescription and over the counter). Checks also for any major medical problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease.
To eliminate the chance of post op. bleeding, you should avoid aspirin and any medication containing aspirin for 2 weeks prior to surgery. You should also not smoke for 1-2 months prior to surgery as smoking can affect your reaction to the anesthetic and slow down the healing process. Patients who suffer from hypertension must inform the surgeon prior to surgery.
After your Belt Lipectomy procedure is completed, dressings, bandages, and binder will be placed 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 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. Upon completion of the healing process, maintaining a 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. 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.