Belt Lipectomy
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jun 5, 2024.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
A belt lipectomy, or lower body lift, is surgery to remove extra skin and fat from your stomach, back, and buttocks.
HOW TO PREPARE:
The week before your surgery:
- Arrange for someone to drive you home and stay with you.
- Ask your surgeon if you need to stop using aspirin or any other medicine before your surgery.
- Bring your medicine bottles or a list of your medicines when you see your surgeon. Tell him or her if you are allergic to any medicine. Tell your provider if you use any herbs, food supplements, or over-the-counter medicine.
- You may need blood or urine tests before your surgery. Talk to your healthcare provider about these or other tests you may need. Write down the date, time, and location for each test.
The night before your surgery:
- Ask about directions for eating and drinking.
- Your surgeon may ask you to wash your abdomen and the area around it with antibacterial soap. This soap may help fight infection caused by germs called bacteria.
The day of your surgery:
- An IV will be inserted into your vein. You may be given liquids and medicine through the IV.
- You or a close family member will be asked to sign a legal document called a consent form. It gives the surgeon permission to do the surgery. It also explains the risks and your choices. Make sure all your questions are answered before you sign this form.
- An anesthesiologist will talk to you before your surgery. You will need anesthesia medicine to keep you asleep during surgery. Tell him or her if you or anyone in your family has had a problem with anesthesia in the past.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN:
What will happen:
- An incision will be made around your belly button and on your lower abdomen. Your surgeon will remove extra tissue and skin, and may use liposuction to remove extra fat. The tissues that cover your abdomen muscles will be stitched together to tighten your abdomen. Your surgeon may also remove extra tissue or fat from your thighs and pubic area. He or she will make a new hole for your belly button and close your incisions with stitches or staples.
- Your surgeon will cut and remove the loose skin and extra fat from your back. The skin over your buttocks will be pulled up and stitched to the edges of the skin on your back to tighten the area. He or she will close your incisions with stitches or staples. Drains may be put in your surgery area to remove extra blood and fluid.
After your surgery:
You will be taken to a room to rest until you are fully awake. You will be monitored closely for any problems. Do not get out of bed until your healthcare provider says it is okay. You will then be able to go home or be taken to your hospital room.
CONTACT YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IF:
- You have a fever.
- You get a cold or the flu.
- You have questions or concerns about your surgery.
Risks
You may bleed more than expected or get an infection. You may not be happy with the results of your surgery. You may have extra pieces of tissue on your back. You may have numbness in the areas where you have incisions. You may develop poor blood flow to the skin near your incisions. Your incision wounds may not heal properly and may split open. A seroma (pocket of fluid) may form near the wounds. You may get a blood clot in your limb. This may become life-threatening.
Care Agreement
You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your healthcare providers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.© Copyright Merative 2024 Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.
The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.
Further information
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