A body lift is a surgical procedure that is often requested after massive weight loss . It is used to remove excess skin flaps and tighten the skin.
It is usually performed on people who have suffered from morbid obesity that requires treatment. Consistent changes in diet and lifestyle as well as surgical measures such as
can result in significant weight loss. As the skin cannot adapt so quickly to the slimmer body shape, a more or less pronounced excess skin fat mantle ("empty shell") often remains. It not only looks unattractive, but can also cause sores and skin infections due to overlapping and rubbing skin areas.
The vast majority of patients who have lost a lot of weight therefore want an effective corrective plastic surgery procedure.
Part of the body lift is usually the tightening
- the abdominal wall,
- the pubic area
- the front and side parts of the thighs and the buttocks.
- the buttocks.
These various tightening procedures are usually performed during a single operation.
The improvement in quality of life due to the new body contour after such corrective surgery can be enormous. Unfortunately, long scars often remain after the procedure, but these can usually be hidden in underwear or swimwear (bikini line).
Choosing the right time is crucial for the success of such corrective procedures.
Ideally, at the time of surgery
- the body mass index should be below 30 kg/m² and
- the weight should have been kept constant for at least six months.
In individual cases, the decision to have a body lift may be made earlier. This may be the case if serious skin problems or other illnesses cannot be controlled.
Before the procedure, the patient should seek detailed advice from an experienced specialist. The patient must be fully aware of the possible consequences and risks, but also the possibilities of the procedure.
The qualification and experience of the surgeon is of great importance for a body lift. Patients often have certain deficiency symptoms after massive weight loss, which can cause wound healing problems.

Exercise and a change in diet can help to shed the pounds. This often results in excess and sagging skin © zinkevych | AdobeStock
A body lift is a major surgical procedure. It takes place under inpatient conditions, so the patient has to spend a certain amount of time in hospital. The procedure is only possible under general anesthesia in the presence of an anesthesiologist. In the days following the procedure, the patient receives effective painkillers, e.g. via a so-called PCA pump.
Most surgeons begin the body lift with a tummy tuck. To do this, the surgeon separates the skin and subcutaneous fatty tissue from the underlying muscle membranes via a long incision in the lower abdomen. The navel is cut around and left attached to the abdominal wall.
The abdominoplasty can also be combined with
- a tightening of the inner muscle membranes (fascia) or
- closure of small abdominal wallhernias.
can be combined. Liposuction can also be integrated into the procedure.
The surgeon removes the excess skin, closes the abdominal wound and repositions and reshapes the navel.
The patient is then repositioned in a prone position. The surgeon can then begin tightening the buttocks and the outer thigh lift. He usually lifts the severely sagging tissue in the buttocks. The buttocks can then also be relined with fatty tissue to create a more pleasing contour.
After closure of the wounds, scars remain all around. However, patients can usually conceal the scars later in their underwear or swimwear.
After a body lift, the patient should wear a tight compression garment for six weeks to three months . It should extend from above the knees to below the ribcage.
If non-absorbable suture material is used, the stitches should be removed after approx. 14 days.
The patient should avoid physical exertion and sport for the first six weeks. They should also avoid direct sunlight on the scars for six months, as this can cause the scars to discolor.
No operation is without risk. Even with the greatest care, complications can occur during or after an operation.
Bleeding can occurduring the operation. It is rare for blood loss during a body lift to lead to a blood transfusion, but this can never be completely ruled out. Even more rarely, blood transfusions can lead to the transmission of pathogens such as the HIV virus or hepatitis virus. In order to reduce the risk of infection, it may make sense to donate your own blood. You should discuss this with your doctor.
In rare cases, pressure damage to soft tissue or nerves can occur during an operation. Both usually disappear within a few weeks after the operation.
Possible complications after a body lift are
- Postoperative bleeding,
- Bruising,
- accumulation of tissue fluid (seroma),
- numbness in the area of the abdominal and buttock skin and
- Circulatory and wound healing disorders in the area of the scars.
The appearance and development of scars varies from patient to patient depending on their constitution. With a corresponding predisposition, bulging, thick and painful scars (keloid) can develop. Such scars sometimes require corrective surgery.