Circumferential Abdominoplasty or Belt Lipectomy After Massive Weight Loss by Dr Kernohan
A belt lipectomy is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat from around your waistline. It is also referred to as abdominal lipectomy, 360 Abdo or panniculectomy. Most patients opt for this procedure after a bariatric surgery or massive weight loss to remove overly stretched, excess skin.
Specialist Plastic Surgeon Dr Michael Kernohan performs different types of abdominoplasty procedures for patients in Sydney, Australia.
Download Dr Michael Kernohan Excess Skin Reduction Guide
What is Belt Lipectomy?
A belt lipectomy or circumferential abdominoplasty, is a plastic surgery procedure that can remove loose skin and fat around the waist/beltline. The procedure may be suitable for people who are left with excess loose skin post massive weight loss.
Benefits of Belt Lipectomy
The potential benefits of belt lipectomy include but are not limited to:
1. Comfort
The excess skin on your body can create skin folds that rub causing irritation, chaffing, rashes and even infections. Belt lipectomy removes excess skin, alleviating these conditions.
2. Hygiene
Large folds of skin are hard to clean. Moisture and dirt can accumulate under the skin folds. Some find it extremely troublesome to use the washroom as you navigate around excess tissue. A lipectomy will greatly improve your hygiene and lower the risk of skin infections and unpleasant odours.
Belt Lipectomy Photo Gallery
Taking a look at before and after photos of belt lipectomy patients speaks volumes about the experience of a specific surgeon, and Dr Kernohan is no exception. You can see Dr Kernohan’s past work during your consultation.
What can I Expect during Belt Lipectomy?
Here is a very brief overview of what you can expect during belt lipectomy. To begin the procedure, Dr Kernohan will go over the details of the surgery one more time to ensure you have a clear idea of what is going to happen.
An anaesthetist will give you general anaesthesia. It will make you sleep throughout the procedure and you won’t feel anything.
Your heart rate, blood pressure, and other vital signs will be monitored closely. Dr Kernohan will create an incision to remove excess skin and tissue. Once everything is in place, Dr Kernohan will close the incisions with the help of sutures. This is done to remove extra skin and tissue and create a smoother contour. Medical staff will put dressings on your wounds.
Immediately post the surgery, you will be given antibiotics to prevent any infections followed by pain killers to alleviate discomfort.
Recovery after Belt Lipectomy
As soon as you wake up, you might have drainage tubes under your skin to drain excess fluid. You might experience some pain and discomfort post the surgery. Hence, you will be given pain medication.
You will be required to stay in the hospital overnight or 2-3 nights for some patients. You will be given detailed instructions on how to care for your wounds.
Post the surgery, it is recommended to avoid severe or violent body movements. Avoid putting any strain on your wounds as it can hinder the healing process. Follow all the post-surgical instructions given by the medical team to ensure optimal recovery. You will be able to see the results soon after surgery despite the swelling.
How long recovery takes is different from one patient to another. Most people need to take at least two to three weeks off from work. Complete recovery typically takes around two months.
Make sure you wear a surgical compression garment for at least six weeks post-surgery to help with swelling. Have someone to help you around the house for the first days post-surgery. Walk lightly around the house to prevent blood clotting. Stay clear of strenuous workouts to avoid putting pressure on your wounds.
Never skip the follow-up appointments to ensure you are healing at the right pace. Typically, the first follow up appointment is 14 days post-surgery. During the appointment, Dr Kernohan will remove the sutures and ensure your wounds are healing properly. The second follow up appointment is usually after six weeks.
Make sure to eat nutritious food, drink lots of water and sleep with your back in an elevated position. Last but not the least, be patient with yourself during the recovery phase.
Risks of Belt Lipectomy
All invasive surgery has risks and belt lipectomy surgery is no exception. Some risks include:
- Unsatisfactory results
- Blood clots in the legs which may travel to the lungs
- Heavy bleeding
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Excess accumulation of fluids aka seroma
- Poor scarring
- Anaesthesia related risks
- Slow wound healing
- Excessive swelling
If you choose an experienced, qualified surgeon and stick to all the pre and post-surgical instructions, the risks can be greatly reduced. Find out more details from Dr Kernohan’s risks of surgery page.
How much is Belt Lipectomy in Sydney?
The Belt Lipectomy Cost Sydney depends on various factors such as:
- Surgeon’s reputation, level of experience and qualifications
- What is included in the surgical quote or price estimate
- Where is surgery performed
- Whether surgery is a medically-indicated or cosmetic in nature
- The complexity of the case
Learn more about the prices of Belt Lipectomy on Dr Kernohan’s pricing page. or phone the team for an estimate on (02) 8310 4576
Funding Your Belt Lipectomy
Medicare is likely to fund excess skin removal for massive weight loss patients if you meet the set criteria. In some cases, patients who have lost a lot of weight and have redundant skin folds might be eligible for the procedure. Visit Dr Kernohan’s Medicare Coverage page
How to Find the Right Belt Lipectomy Surgeon Sydney
The results of belt lipectomy heavily depend on the surgeon you choose. For that reason, you need to look for a reputable plastic surgeon with significant experience in performing your specific procedure. Of course, the surgeon you choose should be qualified, certified, and a surgeon recognised by the RACS and ASPS – the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons that monitor the work of healthcare professionals.
Belt Lipectomy FAQs
Here is a list of frequently asked questions we get regarding belt lipectomy:
