The Full 360° Transformation Your Body Deserves
Belt Lipectomy (Body Lift) in Ottawa with Dr. Mehrad Jaberi
You lost a massive amount of weight — maybe after bariatric surgery, maybe through sheer willpower. Either way, you transformed your health. But the excess skin? It wraps all the way around. Front, sides, and back. It hangs, it chafes, it bunches under your clothes, and it's hiding the incredible transformation you actually achieved. A tummy tuck only gets the front. You need something that goes all the way around.
That's a belt lipectomy. Think of it as a tummy tuck that goes 360° — removing excess skin from your entire midsection in one surgery. Front, flanks, back, and even a natural butt lift as everything gets pulled tight. It's the most comprehensive body contouring procedure available, and for massive weight loss patients, it's often the single most impactful surgery on their entire journey.
Quick Facts
| Procedure Time | 5–7 hours |
| Anesthesia | General anesthesia |
| Recovery | 6–8 weeks; 3–4 weeks off work |
| Results | Long-lasting with stable weight |
| Starting From | $18,000 |
What Is a Belt Lipectomy?
A belt lipectomy — also called a lower body lift or circumferential abdominoplasty — is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and tissue from the entire waistline: abdomen, flanks (love handles), lower back, and buttock area. The incision goes all the way around your body, like a belt.
During the procedure, Dr. Jaberi removes the redundant skin, tightens the abdominal muscle wall (if diastasis recti is present), and reshapes the entire lower trunk. As the back portion is tightened, it naturally lifts and improves the contour of the buttocks — giving you a more youthful, lifted shape without needing a separate butt lift procedure.
This is the gold standard procedure for post-bariatric body contouring. After losing 80, 100, or 150+ pounds, the skin around the entire midsection loses its elasticity and hangs. Clothing can't hide it. It causes rashes, infections, and constant discomfort. The belt lipectomy addresses all of it — comprehensively, in one operation.
It's a long surgery — 5 to 7 hours — and the recovery is proportionally larger. But for patients who have fought their way through massive weight loss, this is the finish line. It's the procedure that finally lets the outside match the inside.
Is a Belt Lipectomy Right for You?
This procedure is designed for a specific group of patients:
- You've lost massive weight (80+ pounds) and have circumferential (all-around) excess skin
- Excess skin extends around to your back and flanks — not just the front
- You've had bariatric surgery (gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy) and the skin hasn't retracted
- Skin folds cause chafing, rashes, or hygiene issues
- Your weight has been stable for at least 6 to 12 months
- You're in good health and can tolerate a 5–7 hour surgery
If your excess skin is primarily in the front, a standard tummy tuck may be sufficient. A belt lipectomy is indicated when the problem truly goes all the way around. Dr. Jaberi will assess your 360° contour during consultation and recommend the most appropriate approach.
What to Expect — The Complete Circumferential Overhaul
Your Consultation
Dr. Jaberi will examine your entire torso — front, sides, and back. He'll evaluate the volume of excess skin, the quality of your remaining tissue, your nutritional status (critical for post-bariatric patients), and your overall health. He'll discuss whether a belt lipectomy alone is enough, or whether additional procedures (arm lift, breast lift, thigh lift) should be staged in subsequent surgeries.
Expect a thorough conversation about the scope of the surgery, the scar pattern (it goes all the way around), recovery demands, and realistic expectations. He'll also want to see your lab work to make sure your protein and nutrition levels support safe healing.
Surgery Day
This is a 5 to 7 hour surgery under general anesthesia. You'll start in one position, and the surgical team will carefully turn you during the procedure to access the front, sides, and back. The excess skin is carefully marked, excised, and the remaining tissue re-draped and tightened. Drains are placed at multiple points. Some patients opt for an overnight hospital stay given the surgery's length.
Recovery Timeline
Significant soreness all around the midsection. Walk slowly and frequently — it's critical. Drains need daily monitoring. Sleep on your back, propped up. Pain management with medication. Help at home is essential.
First follow-ups. Drains begin coming out. Swelling peaks and then starts declining. You'll gradually straighten up. No sitting directly on the back incision — use a donut cushion or recline.
Most desk workers can return to work. The dramatic change is already visible — front, back, and sides all significantly improved. Compression garment continues 24/7.
Light exercise resumes. Full activity clears around week 8. Scars are settling. You can wear fitted clothing comfortably for the first time since your weight loss.
Scars fade progressively. Swelling fully resolves. The complete 360° transformation is realized. Patients consistently describe this as the most life-changing part of their entire weight-loss journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
A tummy tuck addresses the front of your abdomen. A belt lipectomy takes that same approach and extends it all the way around — front, flanks, back, and buttocks. Think of it as a 360° tummy tuck. If your excess skin only exists in front, a tummy tuck is sufficient. If it wraps around your sides and back, the belt lipectomy is the right call.
Yes, inherently. As the excess skin is removed from the lower back and the remaining tissue is tightened, the buttocks are lifted and reshaped. It's one of the most appreciated "bonus" effects of the procedure. Patients who felt their rear was flat and saggy after weight loss are often thrilled with the lift they get from the belt lipectomy alone.
This is a big surgery, and recovery matches. Plan for 6 to 8 weeks. The first two weeks are the hardest — limited mobility, drain management, and soreness from 360° of healing. Most patients turn the corner around week 3. By week 4, desk work is doable. By week 8, you're back to normal activity. It's a marathon, not a sprint — but every patient says the destination makes the journey worthwhile.
Dr. Jaberi typically recommends staging for post-bariatric patients. Your belt lipectomy addresses the trunk — that's stage one. After you've fully healed (3 to 6 months), you can address arms, breasts, or thighs in a second surgery. Staging is safer, allows better healing, and gives you time to see how each procedure fits into your overall transformation before moving to the next.
After massive weight loss, it's not uncommon to remove 5 to 10+ pounds of skin and tissue circumferentially. Some patients' excised tissue weighs even more. The amount depends on your body and how much redundant skin exists. Dr. Jaberi removes as much as safely possible while maintaining good blood supply to the remaining skin for proper healing.
Starting at $18,000 with Dr. Jaberi. This reflects the procedure's significant length (5–7 hours), complexity, and the comprehensive nature of what's addressed. The quote includes everything — surgeon's fee, anesthesia, facility, and all follow-ups. A personalized estimate is provided after consultation. No hidden fees.
Ready for the Final Chapter of Your Weight-Loss Story?
You put in the hardest work imaginable to lose the weight. A belt lipectomy is the procedure that finally lets the outside match the incredible transformation within. Book your consultation with Dr. Jaberi today.
Book Your ConsultationOr call us directly: 613-591-1188