Definitely a bodylift, or are there equally effective non-surgical alternatives? (Photos)

Hi there, Your dedication to your health and physique is impressive — and your frustration is completely valid. Many individuals in your situation, especially post-weight-loss athletes and bodybuilders, face this exact concern.
Why surgery (body lift) is often recommended in cases like yours:The issue you’re describing — a “tube” of loose, inelastic skin around the abdomen and flanks — is a classic result of rapid weight loss during adolescence, especially following significant childhood obesity. Unfortunately, when the skin has been stretched for years (particularly during developmental years), it often loses its ability to contract naturally — even with low body fat and muscle hypertrophy.
In your case:
Loose skin with stretch marks irreversible dermal damageRecurrent navel infections functional as well as aesthetic issueStable weight & good muscle tone ideal conditions for skin resectionBMI < 25 strong surgical candidateA belt lipectomy (lower body lift) is designed exactly for this type of circumferential excess. It removes a 360° strip of redundant skin and fat, lifting the entire lower torso, flattening the abdomen, sharpening flank definition, and often improving posture.
Are there non-surgical alternatives?There are non-surgical technologies marketed for skin tightening — including:
Radiofrequency (RF) (e.g., BodyTite, Morpheus8)Ultrasound (e.g., Ultherapy)Laser skin tighteningHigh-intensity electromagnetic stimulation (e.g., Emsculpt)However, here’s the key point:These do not remove excess skin, nor do they create long-lasting structural tightening in moderate-to-severe laxity.They may slightly improve tone or texture, but cannot achieve the physical removal and redraping that you’re asking for.
In other words:They are not equivalent or permanent alternatives to surgical excision in your situation.
What about a tummy tuck instead of a full body lift?A standard abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) might not fully address the flank and lower back laxity, which appears to be part of your main concern. If your skin laxity is truly circumferential, then a belt lipectomy is the more definitive and balanced approach.
You’ve clearly maintained a healthy lifestyle for decades, and your results are being masked by something that is no longer responsive to training or non-invasive treatment. In your case, a body lift would not only restore visible definition, but also resolve a functional concern (navel infections) and dramatically improve overall aesthetics.
It sounds like you’re an excellent candidate — and this procedure could be the final chapter in a remarkable transformation story.

Thank you for your query. Non surgical procedures will not give you as much improvement as you need to show your muscles. A lower body lift or an extended tummy tuck will give you great results. Please find an experienced board certified Plastic surgeon who can examine you and help you with all your concerns . All the best!

Hello, and thank you for your question regarding whether you need a body lift or if there are equally affected non-surgical alternatives. Thank you for your history and your pictures. Due to your 110-pound weight loss, your skin has been stretched. The skin can only bounce back so much, even if you exercise and diet. Therefore, your best option is a 360 circumferential lower body lift. A 360 circumferential lower body lift is called a belt lipectomy or lower body lift. Since the skin has been stretched, the only solution is to remove the skin. There are no non-surgical alternatives to removing skin besides a 360 circumferential lower body lift. Most experienced, board-certified plastic surgeons specializing in the lower body lift would agree that you would get excellent results with a 360 circumferential lower body lift based on your history and photos. Good luck. I hope this information helps you find answers regarding the 360 circumferential lower body lift. If you have any more questions regarding the lower body lift, 360 circumferential lower body lift, belt lipectomy, belt abdominoplasty, or belt dermolipectomy, please get in touch with aa experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon. Since the body lift is a big procedure, please seek an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon with significant experience performing the lower body lift. Do your research. Ensure they have performed at least 150 circumferential lower body lift surgeries and have the before and after pictures to prove it. Carefully examine their before and after pictures and check their reviews on RealSelf. If you cannot find an experienced, lower-body lift surgeon in your neighborhood, consider traveling out of state if you must. Sincerely, Dr. Katzen. (Plastic Surgeon, President of the American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Fellow of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American College of Surgery, and International College of Surgery and ​member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and RealSelf Hall of Fame.)

Dear AD203,

it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. Based on your photos, it looks like you have a lot of loose skin so you will need surgery to get it removed. If you are considering surgery, I would suggest you consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination, you will get more information and recommendations.

Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Congratulations on your weight and maintenance of your weight. While there are a number of non-invasive, energy based systems which report to tighten the skin in various parts of the body, none of them will be able to achieve the results that a belt lipectomy/lower body lift could achieve for you. See a board-certified plastic surgeon who has a special interest in body conturing and can show you excellent before and after photographs of results.

It is very likely that excision of loose skin by means of abdominoplasty would be the best way to solve the problem. In person consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon should be your next step. Good luck.

It appears that is some of the photos you are seated or bending forward. Photos of you standing with your arms to your sides are needed for the best recommendation. You can consider surgical excision of the excess skin via a lower body lift which would obviously address your concerns. An in person evaluation is needed to determine if you are a candidate for a less invasive procedure such as BodyTite. It will not likely give you the same result as a body lift but may provide some tightening.

Based on your series supposed to Photos, the best outcome is surgical intervention by a circumferential excision of the ex skin of the lower abdomen into the flanks. Non-surgical options of J plasma, body tight cool scope do not tighten skin to that degree in my opinion. Best of virtual concert with expect fees to arrange from $10-$20,000.