Belt Lipectomy in Des Moines, IA

A body lift, or belt lipectomy, is a plastic surgery procedure that can treat numerous problem areas simultaneously and reveal a slimmer, more toned physique. With a body lift in West Des Moines, patients can achieve effective body sculpting and contouring.

The body changes over time. As we age or lose significant amounts of weight, our skin can begin to lose some of its tone and elasticity. This is especially true for areas like our midsection and buttocks. If you’re frustrated with loose skin and tissue, a body lift may be the right solution for you.

An incision around the body removes an apron of excess skin and fat.

diagram showing deep sutures within the tissues that help form the new contours

Deep sutures within the tissues help form the new contours.

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To learn more about the treatment of Body Lift Surgery in West Des Moines, Iowa, contact us and schedule a consultation with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons.

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When To Consider Body Lift Surgery

Rather than tackling one issue or one area at a time, a body lift can address several concerns in a single surgery. You may want to consider a body lift if you:

Have a significant amount of loose or excess skin on your abdomen, thighs, or buttocks
Are at a stable, healthy weight for your body type
Possess good health and realistic cosmetic expectations

After losing a significant amount of weight (more than 50% of their total body weight), many men and women elect a body lift to reduce excess skin. A body lift can also be used to address hygiene issues, physical discomfort, embarrassment, and other conditions related to the presence of excess skin and tissue.

During a consultation, we will help determine if surgery is right for you. A consultation gives you the opportunity to get all your questions answered, meet the team, review your health history and determine if your goals can be met through cosmetic surgery.

Body Lift Surgery Frequently Asked Questions

At Des Moines Plastic Surgery™, we have a fully accredited operating room right in our office. All your appointments and surgeries are in the same convenient location. Body lift surgery requires general anesthesia and the entire process will last between two and five hours.

Once you’ve been placed under general anesthesia, your surgeon will begin by making a belt-like incision above your buttocks and upper thighs. Through this incision, your surgeon will be able to reshape, re-position, or extract the underlying tissue. Additional incisions made on your lower abdomen and around your navel will be made to tighten and reshape your abdomen.

At the conclusion of surgery, all incisions will be secured with a combination of sutures, skin adhesives, and surgical tape. In some cases, liposuction may be performed along with your surgery to address stubborn pockets of excess fat.

We want to make sure your recovery is safe and comfortable. After surgery, you will wake up in our Recovery Area. Swelling, tenderness, and bruising are all common during the first several days of recovery. The Des Moines Plastic Surgery team will provide you with a combination of oral pain medication, elastic compression garments, and cold compresses to make your recovery more comfortable.

A full recovery will take several weeks to a month, but you should be able to resume work and light physical activity within a couple of weeks. It is best to avoid physically taxing activities until cleared to resume them. A list of post-recovery procedures will be provided to you before you leave the office on the day of surgery. Your cosmetic surgery team will provide you with additional details on recovery expectations during your cosmetic consultation as well.

As long as you choose an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon, body lift surgery is extremely safe. Prior to surgery, the Des Moines Plastic Surgery team will make sure that you are a good candidate based on important factors such as your medical history, current medications, and current health.

No. A body lift is designed to address significant amounts of excess skin related to natural aging or weight fluctuations/loss. In contrast, liposuction is primarily performed to address small pockets of excess fat. However, body lift surgery and liposuction are frequently performed alongside of one another to enhance the final results of a body lift.

In general, insurance companies are becoming much more selective in their approval process. Occasionally, insurance policies will cover some of the costs related to body lift surgery, but only if the procedure is deemed medically necessary.

You will need to contact your insurance carrier for additional details. Our practice is exclusively in the scope of cosmetic surgery and does not have to contract with insurance companies. If you are wanting to have insurance cover your procedure, you will need to consult with another provider that takes insurance cases and may/may not be as experienced in the cosmetic outcome aspect and result. This is something to consider when looking for body lift procedures and qualified providers.

Learn More About Body Lift Surgery In Des Moines

Are you considering a body lift in Des Moines? We would be happy to set up a one-on-one cosmetic consultation with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons. Please contact our office at 515.221.9999 or email us at [email protected]

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