What is the difference between Bodylift and Beltlectomy and what all areas does it address to what degree?

Thank you for questions regarding what's the difference between a body lift and a beltectomy and what areas does it address and to what degree.  This is a question of nomenclature and what different plastic surgeons believe the body lift and or beltectomly to be. In my plastic surgery practice, there are two types of body lifts.  There is the lower body lift and the upper body lift. In my practice, the lower body lift includes a tummy tuck, abdominoplasty, hip lift, hip reduction, buttock lift, and buttock reduction. In my plastic surgery practice, by definition, the lower body lift does not include the inner thigh lift. The body lift in my practice includes the outer and back of the thigh lift. To address the inner thighs, this would require a medial thigh lift or reduction. This is also called a spiral thigh lift or vertical thigh lift.  During the lower body lift, the abdomen is flattened, the hips are raised and the buttocks are reduced.  Also, the abdominal muscles are permanently sutured together to achieve a flat abdomen. The body lift addresses all these areas to a “significant degree”. It is impossible to objectively answer to what degree. However, there is no other plastic surgery procedure that impacts the lower as much as the 360 circumferential lower body lift.  When I perform a body lift, patients may or may not need liposuction. Liposuction is decided upon an individual basis. A “beltectomly” is similar to the body lift, depending on what the “beltectomly” procedure entails. A “beltectomly” by definition is only the removal of excess skin and fat from the belt region. It does not include the correction of the anterior abdominal musculature. In my opinion, the body lift is a much better procedure than the “beltectomly” procedure. Thank you for your question regarding the difference from a body lift and beltectomly.  I specialize in reconstructive plastic surgery after weight loss.  If you have any more questions regarding the lower body lift, 360 circumferential lower body lift, belt lipectomy, belt abdominoplasty, or belt dermolipectomy please contact my office. 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.  Make sure they have performed at least 100 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. (“Verified” Plastic Surgeon, 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.)

The terminology is a bit confusing - a 'belt lipectomy' is essentially a tummy tuck and buttock lift that results in a circumferential scar. There are some nuances to these procedures - we recommend patients start with this procedure first, since there is a fair amount of 'tightening' of the front and outsides of the thighs. Inner thigh laxity is not treated with a belt lipectomy.

Tummy tuck is for those patients who just developed limited saggy skin on front abdomen, a bit of pubic and also have loose muscle, so the Combination of procedures will be TT, muscle repair, pubic lift and if necessary or wanted some liposuction to waist, lovehandles or any other area.  Beltlectomy is an type of “body lift” which incision is on the waist line (belt) and help to lift some of buttocks, outer thigh and definitely abdomen  but the incision is high. BODY lift the incision is right above the pubic area  and Circumferentially to the back but Lifts better the butt, outer thighs, front thigh and pubic aside of abdomen.  Non of the above will improve mid or upper back, so no back rolls improvement, non of them  will improve inner thigh only theThigh Lift. Also lifting does not mean augmenting , so no automatic buttocks augmentation  and lastly non of them will improve much the back of the thigh.It will be better you may chose an expert on Body contouring, if you have significant saggy skin because of aging or weight loss, then you must be looking for an Expert on After Weight Loss Surgery but very importantly a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. Be encouraged. Dr  CARDENAS 

Thank you for your question.  A circumferential body lift is often interchanged with the terms tummy tuck and beltline lipectomy. The tummy tuck portion tightens the skin of the abdomen and often lifts the ppubis and upper thigh skin, and the beltline lipectomy elevates the buttock, and in particular lateral buttock. These procedures are often associated with liposuction and Brazilian butt lift.  Generally, these procedures do not affect the bra line roll or lower thigh skin or medial thigh skin.  In each case, an individual approach is taken to achieve the best results.  Best wishes to you.

Dear Holly A,
It is hard to tell for sure without an examination. Generally speaking, tummy tuck will tighten your abdomen, but if you have loose skin on your back you might also need back lift.  If you are considering a surgery, I would suggest you to 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

A body lift and belt lipectomy (beltlectomy) are both cosmetic surgery procedures, but they differ in scope. A body lift typically addresses the abdomen, thighs, and buttocks, removing excess skin and tightening tissues. A belt lipectomy, on the other hand, focuses specifically on the midsection, often circumferentially removing excess skin and fat. In summary, while a body lift is more comprehensive, targeting multiple areas, a belt lipectomy is more specific to the midriff region. The extent of improvement depends on individual factors and the surgeon’s technique. Always consult with a skilled plastic surgeon for recommendations.