Belt Lipectomy in Mumbai, India

A belt lipectomy is a popular cosmetic surgery that is also referred to as lower body lift, 360-degree abdominoplasty, abdominal lipectomy, or panniculectomy. It is an operation that involves the removal of excess fat and skin from the abdomen, back, and flanks or we can say the entire beltline. This excess and loosely hanging skin is often a result of massive weight loss. Therefore, belt lipectomy is a form of body-contouring procedure which is commonly performed after bariatric (weight loss) surgery or after childbirth.

At Designer Bodyz, the best belt lipectomy surgery is performed by the famous plastic surgeon Dr. Parag Telang has helped many patients to get the results. Besides his practice at Designer Bodyz (Mumbai, India), he is a visiting surgeon at some of the most prestigious hospitals in the UAE (Dubai & Abu Dhabi). He has performed thousands of plastic & cosmetic surgeries for his patients from various countries across the world including the US, UK, & Australia.

Indications for Belt Lipectomy

As an individual gains weight, the skin gets stretched. If it is followed by a sudden or rapid weight loss, the skin may lose much of its elasticity and would not be able to spring back to cover the new, smaller shape. This results in the appearance of extra skin folds such as a dangling “love handle” around the lower back and tummy. A belt lipectomy is a surgical option to get rid of these unsightly extra skin folds that make an individual embarrassed of his/her looks. Moreover, these skin folds also lead to other problems. People may need to go for a belt lipectomy if they experience any of the following problems due to excess skin folds:

Skin inflammation, ulcers, or rashes between the skin folds.
Difficulty in walking.
Excess sweating & hygiene-related issues.
Discomfort in fitting into clothes.
Trouble in urinating.
Uneasiness with sexual activity.
Poor self-esteem.

Ideal Candidates for Belt Lipectomy

Dr. Parag Telang recommends Belt Lipectomy only in the following cases:

The candidate has significant loss in his/her body weight and has hanging or loose skin around the hips, abdomen, and lower back (i.e. in the midsection).
The candidate is overall healthy and possesses a relatively stable body weight which is close to the goal body weight as much as possible.
If the candidate has certain health problems it should be communicated to the surgeon in order to avoid any unwanted risks.
The candidate must be a non-smoker or at least ready to quit smoking for a few weeks before and after the surgery. This is important as smoking can delay the healing process.
Candidates who commit to a healthy lifestyle including daily exercise and good nutrition as well as have realistic expectations from the results of the surgery.

Prerequisites for Belt Lipectomy

As mentioned earlier, people who are smokers must cease smoking or quit it for at least 4 weeks before the surgery. They must even remain smoke-free until the desired results of surgery have been achieved. Smoking is known to cause poor wound healing.
Make arrangements for someone who can drive the patient home as well as provide home care for at least 24 hours.
Stop or discontinue intake of certain over-the-counter medications (especially blood thinners), some herbs, and food supplements as directed by the surgeon.
Go for basic blood tests (to check for anemia, infection, and kidney functions), electrocardiogram (to check for heart rhythm), pulmonary (lung) function tests, and urine tests.
A night before the surgery one must follow any instructions provided for not drinking or eating.
Before coming for surgery, wash the abdomen and the surrounding area with antibacterial soap to fight bacterial skin infection.

Belt Lipectomy Procedure

Anesthesia

An anesthesiologist provides general anesthesia or IV sedation to allow the patient to fall asleep and remain unconscious to not sense pain throughout the surgery. Rarely, patients are given spinal anesthesia or relaxing medications that keep them awake while numbing the surgical site. The patient must feel free to talk to the doctor if there is any problem in receiving anesthesia. Through the IV, the patient is also provided with certain liquids and medications like antibiotics to help prevent bacterial infection.

Checking vital signs

The anesthesiologist carefully checks or monitors the body’s vital signs including heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure.

Making incisions, surgical excision, and liposuction

Once the anesthesia has taken its effect, the operation starts with the patient lying on their face down, and a cut is made by the surgeon in the area where buttocks and lower back meet. This is done to excise extra skin or remove fat by liposuction of the hips, back, and buttocks. Following this, the surgeon continues to make a cut around the navel and on the lower abdomen to remove extra skin and fat. For this, the patients must be repositioned to rest on their back on the operation table.
During belt lipectomy, the surgeon may tighten the abdominal muscles (if required) by stitching together the tissues overlying abdominal muscles, creating a new navel (belly button), and making the remaining skin taut to provide a smooth contour. Extra skin and fat are also removed from the thighs or pubic area.

Closing incisions

All the cuts are sewed with absorbable stitches or staples. A drainage tube is also installed to take out extra body fluids or drain blood soon after the operation. Lastly, the surgical area is dressed with sterile bandages to cover and protect it from infections.

Why Choose Designer Bodyz and Dr. Parag Telang?

Dr. Parag Telang is one of the best plastic and cosmetic surgeons in India and is known for his artistic vision, surgical skills, and years of experience.
He has performed thousands of successful cosmetic surgeries and specializes in body contouring & body lifting techniques like thigh lift and arm lift, fat transfer, tummy tuck, liposuction, and mommy makeovers.
The team of experts at Designer Bodyz is committed to providing specialized, and compassionate care to all the patients, and helping them not only look but feel like the best version of themselves by providing the best guidance and treatment through every step, from initial consultation to post-surgical follow-up.

Post-Op Instructions

Complete the prescribed course of medications like antibiotics, painkillers, and antinausea drugs as per the surgeon’s instructions.
Do not miss follow-up visits to the doctor as directed by them after the surgery (i.e. usually scheduled a few times a week for about a month). This is important to check for progress of healing of the surgical site and even to remove the drain tubes, stitches, or staples. Initially, an appointment must be planned after 14 days of surgery followed by six-week check-ups and three monthly follow-ups to ensure there are no complications from surgery and assess the progress of recovery.
Go for an ultrasound if the doctor finds a pocket of fluid (called a seroma) on the incision site that must be drained. If there are any other symptoms, keep the concerned doctor updated.
Walk or sit with slight bending for about a week post-surgery until the surgeon allows keeping the body straight.
Working people must take at least two weeks off and go back to only modified routine or light physical activities. The healthcare provider must be consulted to know about the right time for resuming normal activities and going driving.
Do not wear tight clothing. A binder that covers the stomach and back must be worn for 4-6 weeks after the surgery.
Quit smoking.
Keep the bandages dry and clean.

Frequently Asked Question

What can be expected at an initial consultation for belt lipectomy?

In the first meeting with the surgeon, the patient is needed to have an open and honest conversation so that the surgeon can determine their suitability for the procedure. The patient must answer all questions regarding their health status, any dramatic changes in weight, medical history, lifestyle, current intake of medications, and their desired outcomes or expectations. In addition to having a meaningful discussion, the surgeon may also take photographs of the surgical site for “before and after” comparisons. The patient will be well-informed about their treatment plan, likely benefits and risks, and even the pricing options.

When can I notice the final results after a belt lipectomy?

Usually, the majority of inflammation or discomfort subsides in approximately 4-6 weeks. But, final results are not achieved before 1-2 years. If there is no weight fluctuation the results can last for a lifetime.

What are the potential complications or risks of a belt lipectomy?

Like any other surgery, belt lipectomy is associated with certain risks or complications, including:

Infection.
Blood clotting.
Scarring.
Wound healing issues.
Collection of fluids.
Nerve damage.
Relapse of skin’s laxity.
Asymmetry.
Loss of sensation.
Scarring.
Unreasonable results result in the need for revision surgery.
Deep vein thrombosis.

Although, most of these complications can be easily avoided and managed by an experienced surgeon by keeping the patient’s health status in mind and following precautionary measures. Thus, one should choose their surgeon wisely.

To know more about belt lipectomy surgery contact the best body contouring surgeon in India at Designer Bodyz.