Lower Body Lift Cost and Procedure Guide

After experiencing significant weight loss, it's natural to feel both pride in your accomplishment and frustration with excess skin and residual fat. When diet and exercise are not working, a lower body lift (belt lipectomy) is one way to achieve a smoother, firmer body. This guide can help you understand your options if you're curious about the procedures involved in a lower body lift, recovery time and costs.

What Is a Lower Body Lift?

A lower body lift, also known as a belt lipectomy, is a series of procedures that remove excess skin and fat from body areas such as the abdomen, waist, hips, thighs and buttocks. It treats sagging skin caused by rapid weight loss, aging or pregnancy by lifting the structures back into place. The result is a tightened, toned and smoother lower body.¹

Doctors may recommend a lower body lift procedure for bariatric surgery patients or those who have experienced substantial weight loss. You may be a good candidate if you're in good overall health and have achieved a stable weight. However, it may be best to wait if you are planning future pregnancies or still experiencing weight fluctuations.¹

Lower body lift procedures

A lower body lipectomy isn't a single procedure but a combination of surgeries and treatments that focus on the lower body. It's sometimes called a belt lipectomy because the primary incision runs around the waistline. Your surgery may include:¹

• Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck or panniculectomy) to remove excess fat and skin from the lower abdomen and help tighten the abdominal muscles
• Butt lift to tighten and raise the buttocks to improve their shape and contour
• Liposuction to remove stubborn fat deposits in localized areas
• Thigh lift to reshape and lift the inner and outer thighs

How Much Does a Lower Body Lift Cost?

The national average cost* for a lower body lift is $19,392, though the costs range between $15,000 and $34,500. Costs will vary based on the extent of surgery, physician fees, anesthesia and surgical center or outpatient costs. They may also vary depending on the type of surgery, as some lower body lift procedures may cover larger areas of the body.²

Average cost of a lower body lift by state/district

The following chart breaks down the average cost* of a lower body lift (belt lipectomy) by all 50 states and the District of Columbia:²

Does Insurance Cover a Lower Body Lift?

If a surgery is purely cosmetic, your health insurance likely won't cover it.¹ However, if you show that the procedure is medically necessary and improves your quality of life, it may be approved.¹ Coverage decisions depend on your insurance provider and their specific policies.

Surgeries including abdominoplasty and excess fat removal (lipectomy) may be covered under these conditions:

• Conservative treatments haven't worked, and you can provide proof of those attempts.
• Objective testing supports your doctor's recommendation for surgery.
• The excess skin causes chronic skin irritation, infection or chafing.
• The excess weight significantly impacts your daily life.
• You don't plan to combine skin removal procedures with elective cosmetic surgeries.
• You have evidence that documents the issue and supports your concerns.

How Does a Lower Body Lift Work?

Everyone's surgical journey is different. But here's what you can expect from a lower body lift over six phases.

Research

A safe and successful experience starts with choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon. Board certification indicates that a surgeon has undergone rigorous training and met specific plastic surgery standards. You can verify any doctor's board certification through recognized organizations, such as the American Board of Plastic Surgery. In addition to board certification, consider the surgeon's experience and specialization in performing lower body lifts. Visit each surgeon's website to view before-and-after photos to gauge their aesthetic style and results.³

Consultation

This is your opportunity to speak with a surgeon and their team in person. Take the time to discuss your goals and expectations and any concerns you may have.³ During the consultation, be prepared to explain your medical and surgical history and be sure to discuss any health conditions that could impact the procedure.⁴

The surgeon will perform a physical examination to assess areas of concern and recommend the most suitable procedure.⁴ You can take this time to discuss recovery timelines, potential complications and expected outcomes.³ You may want to consult with multiple surgeons to help you evaluate which approach and communication style are most compatible with your goals.

Specific questions you may wish to ask potential surgeons include:

• How many times have you performed this specific procedure?
• How much time should I expect to take off from work and normal activities?
• What kind of preoperative and postoperative care will I need?
• What results can I realistically expect from my procedure?
• Where will the surgery be performed, and is the facility accredited?

Preparation

Before surgery, your surgeon will schedule a pre-op evaluation, which is different from the initial consultation. During this visit, your surgeon will order lab tests and radiology studies (such as X-rays), assess for any potential problems and provide detailed instructions, including stopping medications like blood thinners and avoiding smoking.⁴

Your surgeon will also schedule a consult with your anesthesiologist. If you have a complex medical history — including prior bad reactions to anesthesia — or are anxious about having general anesthesia, this step is especially critical.⁴

Prior to your surgery date, you'll also need to find someone to drive you home from the procedure and help you with daily activities during the first week of your recovery.

Procedure

A lower body lift surgery typically doesn't take longer than six hours; however, it may vary depending on the extent and number of procedures.⁵ During the operation, your surgeon will make a circumferential incision around the waist to remove excess skin and fat and tighten the remaining tissue.¹ Liposuction may be included to refine contours.¹

Recovery

Recovering from a lower body lift takes several weeks to months. The initial healing phase involves managing postsurgical discomfort, swelling and bruising, which can be significant.¹

During this time, you'll need to follow your surgeon's instructions carefully, which may include wearing compression garments, taking medications and avoiding strenuous activity. You'll also need help changing bandages and emptying drains to keep fluid from collecting inside the wounds.⁶

Here are a few tips that may help speed recovery:

• Change positions frequently to prevent blood clots and pneumonia.
• Empty drains and change bandages as directed to prevent infections and promote healing.
• Maintain a healthy diet to promote wound healing.
• Take your medication as prescribed.

Long-term results

It's important to remember that everyone's healing process is unique, and your experience may differ from others. The final results of your lower body lift may not be fully apparent for up to two years.⁷ This is because it takes time for all of your tissues to heal completely and for any residual swelling to subside.

Be patient with your body and follow your surgeon's guidance throughout your recovery. As your body continues to heal, you'll notice gradual improvements in your contours and overall appearance. Scars will also fade and become less noticeable over time.

Possible Complications and Side Effects

Lower body lift surgery is generally safe when performed by an experienced, board-certified surgeon. However, like any major surgery that requires general anesthesia, it can have potential complications.

Patients who have obesity, use tobacco or have a history of diabetes and hypertension have a greater potential for developing wound separation, blood clots and surgical infections. Other possible complications include:¹

• Delayed wound healing
• Scarring
• Seromas or fluid buildup under the skin
• Swelling, bruising and discomfort

A lower body lift can dramatically improve the appearance of sagging skin and restore confidence after weight loss. However, before committing to any treatment plan, it's necessary to understand the costs, procedure and recovery process.

Frequently Asked Questions About Lower Body Lift Surgery

Do you still have questions about lower body lift surgery? Here are answers to some commonly asked questions about the procedure.

Financing a Lower Body Lift With the CareCredit Credit Card

Ready to revitalize your appearance and boost your confidence? The CareCredit credit card makes it easy to pay for a lower body lift and related expenses not covered by health insurance.** Use our Acceptance Locator to find a doctor or cosmetic surgeon near you that accepts CareCredit so you can stop dreaming and start living your best life. Continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your CareCredit account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.

In addition to cosmetic procedures, you can also use your CareCredit credit card for dentistry, pet care, vision, hearing, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases, spa treatments and so much more within the CareCredit network. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?

Author Bio

Pamela Cagle, R.N., has extensive experience in a range of clinical settings, including ER, surgical and cardiovascular. For the past decade, she has leveraged her nursing experience in writing for health and technology publications such as AARP, VKTR, National Council on Aging and others. She is passionate about blending her medical and storytelling expertise to bring authenticity to health and wellness topics.