Lipectomy is the procedure used to remove large folds of skin and natural fat deposits that may be located on the hips, thighs, lower abdomen, and buttocks. Also commonly known as a Truncoplasty or ‘Body Lift’, a Lipectomy aims to shape and contour the lower body to meet your individual aesthetic needs, through the surgical modification of its size and/or shape.
Lipectomy (Body Lift)
What is a Lipectomy (Body Lift)
A Lipectomy (Body Lift) is commonly performed to remove and tighten excess skin that is a normal and natural effect of significant loss of weight, childbirth, or after advancing in years.
The areas that are treated in a Lipectomy (Body Lift) are the hips, outer upper thighs, lower abdomen, and the upper buttocks. The type of surgery required will depend upon your individual aesthetic needs, as well as the amount and location of natural excess skin that needs to be removed and tightened, and Dr. Verma will discuss this with you in detail during your consultation.
As well as being used for cosmetic purposes, a Lipectomy (Body Lift) may also addresses physical, comfort, and hygiene issues that can be caused by the natural heaviness of excess skin. These may include:
- Difficulty in exercising and walking
- Back and shoulder aches
- Chronic rashes and infections in skin folds
- Personal hygiene issues from difficulty in cleaning problem areas that have increased accumulated sweat
Lipectomy (Body Lift) Quick Summary
A Lipectomy (Body Lift) is commonly performed to remove and tighten excess skin that is a normal and natural effect of significant loss of weight, childbirth, or after advancing in years. The areas that are treated in a Lipectomy are the hips, outer upper thighs, lower abdomen, and the upper buttocks. As well as being used for cosmetic purposes, a Lipectomy may also addresses physical, comfort, and hygiene issues that can be caused by the natural heaviness of excess skin. Dr Verma has the training and expertise to perform bespoke Lipectomy that is tailored specifically to your individual aesthetic needs.
Where is it done? Your Lipectomy (Body Lift) surgery will be performed at the brand-new Honeysuckle Day Hospital in Newcastle, a fully licensed and accredited day hospital which is purposely equipped to care for cosmetic surgical procedures.
Length of surgery: Lipectomy (Body Lift) usually takes six to eight hours. These times depend on many factors, such as the complexity of the surgery.
Type of anaesthesia
General Anaesthesia
Approximate Cost
Varies according to type, complexity, and length of the procedure. You will receive a detailed quote with a cost of the procedure after your consultation with Dr. Verma, tailored to you.
Next Steps
Not sure if Lipectomy is right for you? Maybe you feel more than one type of cosmetic surgery may be required? Or are you interested in non-surgical ways to meet your aesthetic needs?
We advise booking a consultation with Dr. Verma. With his expertise and commitment to achieving the best results, together you can create a personalized treatment plan involving both surgical and non-surgical cosmetic treatments individually tailored to the look you would like to achieve.
Please also see our list of general FAQs for more details.
Call (02) 4001 0511 to talk to our friendly staff and book a consultation with Dr. Verma.
The Lipectomy (Body Lift) Consultation
Who is a good candidate for Lipectomy?
If you have developed excess and/or loose skin as a natural effect of significant weight loss, childbirth, or from advancing in years, then you will likely be a suitable candidate for a Lipectomy (Body Lift).
As weight changes will influence the natural shape of your body, Brachioplasty (Arm Lift) is best undertaken when you have reached your goal weight, and it has been stabilised for at least 3 months.
Cosmetic surgery performed by Dr. Verma is done with the latest, evidence-based techniques to address your individual aesthetic needs, and being committed to adhering to pre- and post-operative instructions is of great importance to achieving safe and healthy outcomes
What to expect during the consultation?
No two bodies are the same. Dr. Verma will take a full medical history and examine your torso. He will then suggest the best option(s) for you, which are tailored to your specific aesthetic needs, and provide you with bespoke information about the procedures and the process, so that you can make an informed decision.
Please note that, during your consultation and with your consent, Dr. Verma will be taking photographs of your torso. Clinical photography is vital in the cosmetic surgery experience and allows Dr. Verma to document and share your progress with you, pre- and post-operatively. Sometimes, with your additional consent, these photographs will be uploaded onto our website. The images are de-identified, with birthmarks, tattoos and any other identifying features removed. Images are not altered in any other way, ensuring a true representation of the likely results. Whilst individual results may vary, such ‘Before-After’ images help other potential patients, like yourself, to decide whether this is the right procedure for them.
Generally, the consultation is your opportunity to ask Dr. Verma any questions or clarify any concerns you may have regarding your Lipectomy.
What is the cost of Lipectomy? What is included?
Cost of Lipectomy depends on the length and complexity of the surgery, which is individual to each person. After the consultation, once you have decided you are interested in a Lipectomy, you will receive a quote for the cost of the surgery. This price includes Dr. Verma’s fees (Proceduralist fees), and the cost of follow-up visits up to 3 months post-surgery. It does not include hospital and anaesthetist costs, but an estimate of such costs can be provided on request. There will never be any pressure or rush for you to decide. You will have information about payment details and costs in your quote, and ample time to ask questions before making an informed decision.
Lipectomy (Body Lift) Procedure
How is a Lipectomy performed? Are there different techniques?
A Lipectomy (Body Lift) is an extension of an Abdominoplasty procedure. A belt-like incision is made that goes around the front of your lower abdomen, the outer thighs, and the upper buttocks. Through this incision, Dr. Verma removes the natural loose and excess skin, as well as any localised fat deposits, to tighten and contour the region. The most appropriate Lipectomy technique for you will depend upon your individual aesthetic needs, and factors such as which specific areas of your body will be surgically contoured.
Lipectomy (Body Lift) surgery is complex and is usually done in conjunction with other procedures to meet your individual aesthetic needs, including but not limited to Liposuction, an Abdominoplasty, a Mastopexy (Breast Lift), or a Brachioplasty (Arm Lift). Dr. Verma will discuss these with you to help determine which is the best option for you at your consultation.
Where will the incisions/scars be?
Incisions and scars for a Lipectomy are circumferential around the body and buttocks, and, where possible, Dr. Verma will work to position these in inconspicuous locations. These generally fade to form faint white scars, although the degree of fading varies depending on how your skin tends to heal and form scars.
What type of Anaesthesia will be used?
The type of anaesthesia used is general anaesthesia. This means you will be asleep during the operation. If appropriate, Dr Verma will also utilise additional local anaesthesia, which is injected into the site of surgery during the operation; giving you better pain relief upon waking.
What are side effects of Lipectomy?
All surgery has possible side effects that can include bruising and swelling, formation of hematoma (blood clots), postoperative pain, and blood clots in the veins. Symptoms typically self-resolve, and Dr Verma will discuss these with you in detail during your consultation.
What are the risks and complications of Lipectomy?
With any surgical procedure, there are risks involved, and most problems are easily treated and settle with time.
General risks of any surgery include excessive bleeding, reaction to any of the medications (including anaesthesia), infection, poor healing or excessive scarring. The Body Lift-Lipectomy is a complex surgical procedure, and risks and complications directly associated with Lipectomy can include:
- Prominently visible scars including keloid and hypertrophic scars. These scars are red, raised and thickened and can form over the top of healed incisions. They are unsightly and can be irritating causing itchiness, but they are not health threatening.
- Numbness around the surgical site – this is usually temporary will improve over time
- Skin that does not heal requiring a skin graft.
- Constrained movements due to the tightened skin.
- Formation of seroma (collection of fluid) around the operation site.
- Blood transfusion due to large blood lost during surgery.
The occurrence of such complications depends mainly on factors such as whether you smoke, your general health status, how your body heals, as well as your post-operative recovery. Dr. Verma will discuss all risks and complications with you during your consultation, as well as techniques and medications which can minimise these risks.
Recovery after Lipectomy (Body Lift)
Care of your surgical sites
You will be provided with detailed instructions by Finesse Cosmetic Surgery with regards to practical care of your sutures, wounds etc. Any sutures are usually removed in 10-14 days. After your Lipectomy, you will need to wear a ‘post-op garment’. This is a snug fabric garment which aims to reduces swelling and bruising after surgery, helping to minimize pain and achieve better outcomes.
Additionally, after your surgery, you will have dressings and bandages applied to your wounds. You will also be wrapped in a compression garment designed to minimize swelling and provide support to your surgical site during healing. It may sometimes be necessary to provide a thin tube under the skin to drain away excess blood or fluid that can collect at the site.
Downtime
Typically, you can expect to allow a recovery rest period of 2-4 weeks and a total of 6 weeks before a return to normal activities. Dr. Verma will discuss this with you at your consultation. You will also need to introduce some temporary lifestyle modifications until you are fully recovered. This will usually include avoiding heavy lifting and repetitive bending of the arms, avoiding strenuous exercise or sports, and avoiding swimming. Finesse Cosmetic Surgery will ensure that you have any required documentation and medical certificates needed, as appropriate.
When will you see results?
After your bandages are removed, your results will be visible immediately but will become more noticeable when the swelling and bruising from your operation subsides, which may take up to 6 weeks.
What will be your follow up schedule?
Dr. Verma will see you one week post the operation and then organise subsequent follow-ups according to how you recover. All follow-up visits cost up to three months after the operation are included in the cost of the surgery. Revision surgery for any complications carries an extra charge.
Similar to your consultation visit (see above), Dr. Verma will be taking photographs of your surgical sites in order to document its healing during follow up visits.
How long do the effects of Lipectomy (Body Lift) last for?
The Lipectomy is a permanent procedure but is dependent upon stabilized weight. Any significant weight gain or weight loss after your surgery may affect your results.
