Patients who have experienced major weight loss often find it medically or cosmetically necessary to undergo a belt lipectomy or body lift type procedure. In his Pasco County plastic surgery practice, Dr. Paul Albear performs belt lipectomy for patients who have lost weight, either through bariatric surgery or diet and exercise, and now struggle with loose skin around the midsection and lower body. This can occur after weight loss since the skin has often lost its elasticity and is not able to return to its more taught appearance.
When to Consider Belt Lipectomy in Tampa
Patients who often undergo belt lipectomy in Pasco County have usually lost a great deal of weight—about 50% of their total body weight. Because of losing so much weight, patients who choose the procedure often exhibit loose skin around the thighs, and on the stomach, hips, buttocks and midsection. As a result of these folds of skin, patients may not only struggle with fitting into some clothing, but may experience a high rate of infection or rash in the folds of skin. These flaps of skin can sometimes be so loose, they can get caught in tight places.
To undergo belt lipectomy in Tampa with Dr. Albear, you should be at a stable body weight with more weight to lose. You should also be otherwise healthy and a nonsmoker.
Your Belt Lipectomy Procedure
For your belt lipectomy in Tampa, which can take up to five hours to complete, you will most likely be given a general anesthetic to sleep through the procedure.
To begin, Dr. Albear will make careful incisions around your midsection—belt lipectomy is completed in a circumferential manner. He will take care to hide these incisions in the folds of your skin or below your bikini line, where they will be minimally visible. At this point, Dr. Albear will remove the loose skin that hangs around your midsection. He may also complete some liposuction, which will help to eradicate pockets of fat for ideal slimming. Once he has achieved optimal tissue removal, Dr. Albear will close the incisions with sutures. Surgical drains may also be used for several days to collect and fluid build-up. Surgical dressings and a compression garment will also be applied.
What Happens After Belt Lipectomy?
Following your belt lipectomy, you may need to stay overnight, depending on your initial healing. When you do leave Dr. Albear's practice, you will need a ride home and help around the house for several days. Your activity will be severely limited and you will likely feel overly tired. You may also experience swelling and discomfort during this time. Dr. Albear may prescribe medication to help you manage discomfort. After a week or so, you will return to Dr. Albear for him to examine your healing and remove the surgical drains.
Dr. Albear will ask you to begin walking a day after your surgery, but it will be several weeks before you can resume much of your normal routine, like exercise. The compression garments will need to be worn for up to six weeks, as they will help maintain the slimmer contours of your body as you heal.
When you have completed healing from your belt lipectomy in Pasco County, you will experience a more toned-looking body shape with less loose skin. Your lower body, including your midsection and buttocks, will appear lifted and smoother.
To learn more about your options for belt lipectomy in Tampa, we encourage you to join the mailing list of Pasco County plastic surgeon Dr. Albear. You can also call his office today at (813) 929-7400 to set up your consultation.
