Body Lift | Des Moines Plastic Surgery

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Belt Lipectomy in Des Moines, IA

A body lift, or belt lipectomy, is a transformative procedure designed to remove loose skin and reshape the midsection, buttocks, hips, and thighs for a more toned, contoured figure. Ideal for patients after major weight loss or aging-related skin laxity, this surgery addresses multiple areas at once. At Des Moines Plastic Surgery™, Dr. David Robbins uses advanced techniques to deliver natural-looking, long-lasting results. Performed in our fully accredited on-site surgical suite, the procedure combines expert precision with personalized care to restore confidence and comfort. If you’re ready to redefine your body, a body lift may be right for you.

An incision around the body removes an apron of excess skin and fat.

diagram showing deep sutures within the tissues that help form the new contours

Deep sutures within the tissues help form the new contours.

Schedule A Consultation

To learn more about the treatment of Body Lift Surgery in West Des Moines, Iowa, contact us and schedule a consultation with our board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. David Robbins.

Schedule a Body Lift Consultation

West Des Moines Ankeny

When To Consider Body Lift Surgery

Rather than tackling one issue or one area at a time, a body lift surgery can address several concerns in a single surgery. You may want to consider a body lift if you:

Have a significant amount of loose or excess skin on your abdomen, thighs, or buttocks
Are at a stable, healthy weight for your body type
Possess good health and realistic cosmetic expectations

After losing a significant amount of weight (more than 50% of their total body weight), many men and women elect a body lift to reduce excess skin. A body lift can also be used to address hygiene issues, physical discomfort, embarrassment, and other conditions related to the presence of excess skin and tissue.

During a consultation, we will help determine if surgery is right for you. A consultation gives you the opportunity to get all your questions answered, meet the team, review your health history, and determine if your goals can be met through cosmetic surgery. If you’ve been searching for body surgery near me, our expert team is here to guide you every step of the way.

Body Lift Overview

A body lift is a customized surgical procedure that removes excess skin and tightens underlying tissues to enhance body shape and definition. It’s typically recommended for patients who have experienced significant weight loss or have excess skin due to aging or pregnancy. This surgery helps restore a firmer, more youthful-looking contour, particularly in the midsection, thighs, and buttocks.

How Body Lift Works

During a body lift, excess skin and fat are removed through strategic incisions, and the remaining tissues are repositioned for a smoother, tighter appearance. This may include lifting the buttocks, flattening the abdomen, and firming the thighs. Performed under general anesthesia, this procedure is done in our private, QUAD A-accredited operating facility for enhanced safety and privacy.

Benefits of a Body Lift Treatment

A body lift provides both aesthetic and functional benefits. Patients often experience improved body proportions, increased comfort, and greater clothing options. It can also reduce skin irritation, prevent hygiene issues, and dramatically boost confidence. The combination of skin removal and contouring creates smoother lines and more defined curves.

Body Lift vs. Other Treatments

Unlike liposuction, which targets fat, a body lift addresses skin laxity and tissue sagging. While nonsurgical treatments may tighten small areas, they can’t match the dramatic, long-term results of surgical skin removal. A body lift is often the preferred solution for patients needing extensive correction after weight loss or pregnancy.

Before, During, and After a Body Lift

What To Expect Before a Body Lift

Before surgery, you’ll meet with Dr. Robbins for a detailed consultation. They will review your medical history, discuss your goals, and create a personalized surgical plan. You’ll also receive clear pre-operative instructions regarding medications, lifestyle adjustments, and what to bring on surgery day. Our goal is to ensure you feel fully informed, supported, and confident as you prepare for your procedure.

What To Expect During a Body Lift

Your procedure is performed under general anesthesia in our fully accredited on-site surgical suite. Using belt-like incisions, your surgeon will carefully remove excess skin and reposition underlying tissues to create a smoother, firmer contour. In some cases, liposuction may also be performed to further enhance results. Most surgeries last between 2–5 hours, depending on complexity and the areas being treated.

What To Expect After a Body Lift

After surgery, you’ll begin recovery in our comfortable, private recovery area with close care from our experienced team. You’ll be provided with compression garments, medication for comfort, and guidance on safe movement. Most patients are able to walk within a few days, return to light activity in about 2 weeks, and resume full activity within 6–8 weeks. Your results will gradually improve as swelling subsides, revealing a firmer, more contoured shape.

Frequently Asked Questions About Body Lift

At Des Moines Plastic Surgery™, we have a fully accredited operating room right in our office. All your appointments and surgeries are in the same convenient location. Body lift surgery requires general anesthesia and the entire process will last between two and five hours.

Once you’ve been placed under general anesthesia, your surgeon will begin by making a belt-like incision above your buttocks and upper thighs. Through this incision, your surgeon will be able to reshape, re-position, or extract the underlying tissue. Additional incisions made on your lower abdomen and around your navel will be made to tighten and reshape your abdomen.

At the conclusion of surgery, all incisions will be secured with a combination of sutures, skin adhesives, and surgical tape. In some cases, liposuction may be performed along with your surgery to address stubborn pockets of excess fat.

We want to make sure your recovery is safe and comfortable. After surgery, you will wake up in our Recovery Area. Swelling, tenderness, and bruising are all common during the first several days of recovery. The Des Moines Plastic Surgery team will provide you with a combination of oral pain medication, elastic compression garments, and cold compresses to make your recovery more comfortable.

A full recovery will take several weeks to a month, but you should be able to resume work and light physical activity within a couple of weeks. It is best to avoid physically taxing activities until cleared to resume them. A list of post-recovery procedures will be provided to you before you leave the office on the day of surgery. Your cosmetic surgery team will provide you with additional details on recovery expectations during your cosmetic consultation as well.

As long as you choose an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon, body lift surgery is extremely safe. Prior to surgery, the Des Moines Plastic Surgery team will make sure that you are a good candidate based on important factors such as your medical history, current medications, and current health.

No. A body lift is designed to address significant amounts of excess skin related to natural aging or weight fluctuations/loss. In contrast, liposuction is primarily performed to address small pockets of excess fat. However, body lift surgery and liposuction are frequently performed alongside of one another to enhance the final results of a body lift.

In general, insurance companies are becoming much more selective in their approval process. Occasionally, insurance policies will cover some of the costs related to body lift surgery, but only if the procedure is deemed medically necessary.

You will need to contact your insurance carrier for additional details. Our practice is exclusively in the scope of cosmetic surgery and does not have to contract with insurance companies. If you are wanting to have insurance cover your procedure, you will need to consult with another provider that takes insurance cases and may/may not be as experienced in the cosmetic outcome aspect and result. This is something to consider when looking for body lift procedures and qualified providers.

Yes, removing heavy, sagging skin can relieve strain on your lower back and improve your posture, especially in patients with significant weight loss.

A body lift creates smoother, more proportional contours, allowing clothes to fit better and more comfortably without bunching or sagging skin.

There is no specific age limit. Candidates must be in good overall health, have stable weight, and realistic expectations regardless of age.

Scars are placed low on the torso and are typically hidden under clothing. With proper care, scarring fades significantly over time.

Significant weight gain or future pregnancies can impact your results, so it’s ideal to be done with major weight changes before undergoing surgery.

Learn More About Body Lift Surgery In Des Moines

Are you considering a body lift in Des Moines? We would be happy to set up a one-on-one cosmetic consultation with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons. Please contact our office at 515.221.9999 or email us at [email protected]