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After losing weight, becoming a parent, or experiencing skin aging you may have cosmetic concerns related to excess skin, unwanted fat deposits, and sagging muscles. This is a common side effect of extreme weight loss because as you gain weight, the skin stretches and after you lose weight the skin does not revert to how it previously looked. On top of excess skin, extreme weight fluctuations can also cause damaged muscles and skin. This causes the skin to appear loose and ridden with stretch marks. Luckily, there are a variety of cosmetic procedures that you can choose from to correct skin and muscle damage. Both a tummy tuck and a belt lipectomy can tighten abdominal muscles and repair excess skin. Read more to compare the difference between a tummy tuck and a belt lipectomy.

What is a Tummy Tuck?

A tummy tuck, also known as an abdominoplasty, can address the areas in the upper and lower abdomen. Your doctor will make a horizontal incision from one hip to the other where they will remove excess skin, repair the abdominal muscles, and contour the stomach. After the incisions are sutured, you can notice a more toned abdomen.

What is a Belt Lipectomy?

A belt lipectomy, also known as a body lift, addresses a larger portion of the body. During this surgery, incisions are made around the lower abdomen and above the buttocks. The doctor removes excess skin and fat in the abdomen, sides, buttocks, and back and repairs damaged muscles. Liposuction can be used in this procedure if stubborn fat is present. After the excess skin is removed, the skin is stretched to meet the incisions, giving you a more toned midsection area and more shapely buttocks. This can provide a lifting effect on the body allowing your body to appear more contoured and the buttocks to appear more lifted.

Should You Choose a Tummy Tuck or Belt Lipectomy?

Choosing between a tummy tuck and a belt lipectomy is an important decision dependent on the amount of excess skin and muscle damage you have in your midsection.

Choosing a Tummy Tuck

A tummy tuck is ideal for individuals with mild to moderate skin damage, sagging abdominal muscles, stretch marks, and loose skin. Many patients opt for tummy tuck surgery after having children, aging, or experiencing significant weight loss. This procedure solely addresses the abdominal area.

Choosing a Belt Lipectomy

A belt lipectomy is primarily chosen after major weight loss surgery or extreme weight loss. This surgery removes excess skin that has stretched out due to weight fluctuations. This surgery is used in severe cases of loose skin. The hips, thighs, back, buttocks, and abdomen are common areas addressed with a belt lipectomy. This procedure is ideal for individuals who are at their goal weight, have maintained their weight for six months or longer, have mild to severe excess skin, and have damaged muscles.

Schedule a Consultation

If you are interested in learning more about what procedure is right for you, schedule a consultation with the doctors at Mosharrafa Plastic Surgery in Phoenix Arizona. You can contact us through our online contact form or by calling 602-600-6592.


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A breast cancer diagnosis is overwhelming in so many ways. There are a lot of emotions. Dr. Ali Mosharrafa and his entire staff put me at ease at every step. After surgery, I was very self conscious, and the way I was treated with each visit helped me as much as the excellent medical care. Whether it is for an elective procedure or a surgery due to illness, I cannot endorse Dr. Ali more as a physician and human. 

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