Body Lift

Consultations offered at our three convenient locations in Manhattan, NY, Southampton, NY and Cedar Grove, NJ

A body lift is a transformative procedure that addresses excess skin and tissue across the abdomen, flanks, back, and thighs. (1) This procedure can correct any lasting, physical changes resulting from significant weight loss through either traditional means, GLP-1 medications, or bariatric surgery, allowing patients to achieve a figure that truly demonstrates the efforts of their hard work.

Dr. Anthony Berlet is a double board-certified plastic surgeon at Berlet Plastic Surgery. Dr. Berlet has amassed more than 30 years of experience in medicine and brings an artistic sensibility to each procedure to help his patients achieve a look that truly resonates with who they are internally.

To start working with Dr. Berlet, please request a consultation online or call the office most convenient to you:

About Body Lifts

A body lift, also known as a belt lipectomy, is a surgical body contouring procedure that can address excess skin, lax tissue, and weakened muscles to restore a more slender and sculpted silhouette. Body lifts combine the techniques of various procedures, such as tummy tucks, thigh lifts, and back lifts, to comprehensively address the entire lower torso after significant weight loss. With this procedure, Dr. Berlet can also enhance the appearance and fullness of the buttocks, as well as tighten any lax or separated abdominal muscles, comprehensively sculpting your figure to the fullest extent.

Candidates

You may be an ideal candidate for a body lift if you have recently lost a significant amount of weight and are now left with weakened muscles and significant amounts of sagging skin around the body. (2) These include areas such as the abdomen, back, buttocks, or thighs.

To qualify for a body lift, you should be in good general health while maintaining realistic expectations regarding your results. You should have already reached an ideal goal weight that you can maintain long-term, as weight fluctuations will alter the results of your procedure. You should also be nicotine-free or willing to quit smoking.

Personal Consultation

The first step to transforming your figure is attending a personal consultation. During this visit, Dr. Berlet will meet with you individually to learn more about your motivations, finalize your candidacy, and establish a more meaningful relationship with you. He will ask you about your medical history, including your medication intake, previous procedures you underwent, and any allergies you possess. He will take the time to learn more about your physical concerns and aesthetic goals. He will also perform a physical examination to assess your natural anatomy and skin quality.

Dr. Berlet will then use this information to determine whether a body lift is appropriate for your needs and create a treatment plan to help you meet your goals. He will explain each aspect of the procedure, including how he will perform it, how to prepare for it, and what to expect from your recovery. Dr. Berlet will also take the time to answer and address any questions you may have about your body lift or plastic surgery in general. He values honesty and transparency and wants each patient to leave their consultation feeling informed and confident, no matter what procedure they choose to undergo. From there, you will have the option to schedule your next appointment.

To schedule this consultation with Dr. Berlet, please contact us online. You may also call our Manhattan office at (332) 232-5630 and our Cedar Grove office at (973) 857-7757.

Preparation

Once you have decided to proceed, Dr. Berlet and his team will provide you with a set of pre-operative instructions to help you prepare. These directions will optimize your procedure, recovery, and results by having you:

  • Alter Your Medications: Under the proper medical guidance, discontinue taking any medications or supplements that contain blood-thinning properties.
  • Coordinate Transportation: Have a trusted friend or relative drive you home and stay with you for the first 24 to 48 hours of your recovery.
  • Arrange Time Away: Prepare to take time away from your career and personal responsibilities to allow yourself to heal.
  • Run Errands: Pick up any medications you will need throughout your recovery, and make sure you have arranged your home so everything is easily accessible.
  • Cease Substances: Abstain from consuming any nicotine or alcohol in the weeks leading up to your procedure, and maintain your cessation until you have fully recovered.

Procedure

On the day of your procedure, a member of the Berlet Plastic Surgery team will lead you to a private room where you will meet with Dr. Berlet one last time. He will answer any remaining questions you may have before cleansing your skin and taking you to the operating room, where you will receive general anesthesia.

Dr. Berlet will then place an incision circumferentially around your body in an area that can easily be concealed beneath most clothing. He will carefully remove any excess or sagging skin and tighten the underlying tissues to resculpt areas such as the abdomen, back, buttocks, and thighs, restoring the natural definition to these areas. When addressing the abdomen specifically, he can correct diastasis recti, which is the separation of the abdominal muscles. He may also reposition and reshape your navel so it is centralized and proportionate to your new figure.

Once he has removed your redundant skin and tightened any weakened and lax muscles, he will create a flap from the tissue in your lower back or mid-buttocks to augment the buttocks. This flap will contain the fat and blood vessels of the area to maintain its blood supply. Dr. Berlet will then rotate the flap and use it to reshape the buttocks, enhancing their volume and shape.

After Dr. Berlet has completed each of your desired corrections, he will carefully close each incision and allow you to briefly rest.

Recovery

Your recovery will vary depending on the scope of your procedure and how quickly your body heals itself. Because body lifts address multiple regions, you should prepare for multiple activity restrictions and a lengthier recovery time. Dr. Berlet may ask those who receive more extensive corrections, such as muscle repairs, to remain in the hospital for several nights.

As you heal, you can expect certain side effects, such as swelling, bruising, or general discomfort in the treated areas. These effects will dissipate on their own with time, but you may also address them using prescribed medications and rest. You may be able to return to your career after resting for several weeks, but this timing will vary depending on the physical demands of your job. You will also need to refrain from engaging in any strenuous or demanding activities until Dr. Berlet has cleared you to.

Dr. Berlet will provide you with a set of written recovery instructions ahead of time so you understand what to expect throughout this process. If any questions or concerns arise, we ask that you contact us for guidance.

Results

The results of your body lift will become more apparent once any residual swelling subsides and you advance through your recovery. Final outcomes vary, but you can expect your figure to appear more slender and defined once Dr. Berlet addresses the skin across your abdomen, thighs, back, and buttocks. Your buttocks will appear more sculpted and voluminous, enhancing the overall allure of your figure.

Many patients also experience improvements in their personal comfort and mobility, often finding that certain styles of clothing look and fit more flatteringly. These changes may inspire you to live a healthier, more active lifestyle as well as improve your confidence.

The results of a body lift are long-lasting, and you may experience the benefits of your procedure for years to come. However, you will need to maintain a stable weight, as fluctuations can alter their long-term appearance and stability.

Cost of Body Lifts in Manhattan, NY, and Cedar Grove, NJ

Dr. Berlet tailors each body lift according to each patient’s needs and anatomy, which means the pricing of your procedure will vary. Once he has met with you to establish each detail of your treatment plan, he will provide you with a comprehensive cost estimate.

FAQ

What areas of the body can a body lift treat?

Dr. Berlet can perform a body lift to address your abdomen, back, buttocks, and thighs.

Will there be significant scarring after my body lift?

Every surgical procedure has some degree of scarring. While a body lift will have more noticeable scarring compared to procedures such as a tummy tuck or thigh lift, Dr. Berlet always takes great care when placing incisions to make them as easily concealable as possible. Scars may also fade and flatten throughout your recovery.

Can a body lift help me lose weight?

No, a body lift is not a weight loss procedure and cannot help you lose weight. To qualify for your procedure, you will need to first achieve a stable weight that you can maintain long-term.

Can I have children after undergoing a body lift?

Yes, you may have children after you have recovered from your procedure. However, Dr. Berlet recommends waiting to undergo a body lift until you have completed your family, as pregnancy can significantly alter your results.

Will I need to stay in the hospital after my body lift?

If your procedure was more extensive and Dr. Berlet performed muscle repairs, he may ask you to stay in the hospital for several nights so that his team may monitor you for the first several days of your recovery. He will then release you from his care soon after.

References

  1. Langer V, Singh A, Aly A, Cram A. Body contouring following massive weight loss. Indian Journal of Plastic Surgery. 2011;44(1):14. doi:10.4103/0970-0358.81439
  2. Mayo J, Cape J D. Belt Lipectomy. StatPearls Publishing; 2024. Accessed July 22, 2026. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK604202/#article-161515.s9