(858) 247-2933
Book
Book a consultation
Body Lift, Southern California
A body lift removes loose, hanging skin from around the lower trunk, the abdomen, flanks, back, and outer thighs, after major weight loss, lifting and tightening the whole midsection in one circumferential procedure. Tim Sayed MD, a double board-certified plastic surgeon, hides the scar at the beltline for a smoother, firmer shape. He sees Southern California patients at his San Diego and Newport Beach offices.
Lifted
LOOSE SKIN REMOVED, FIRMER SHAPE
2
Board certifications
20+
Years in practice
4.6
Google rating
At a glance
A body lift removes excess, loose skin circumferentially around the lower trunk after major weight loss, tightening the abdomen, flanks, back, and outer thighs. It is a larger operation with a longer recovery, drains, and a scar hidden at the beltline, and the final shape settles over a few months.
What it is
A circumferential procedure that removes loose, hanging skin from all the way around the lower trunk and lifts the abdomen, flanks, outer thighs, and buttocks.
Where it is used
The lower trunk as a belt: the abdomen, the flanks and lower back, the outer thighs, and the buttocks, treated in one circumferential lift.
Anesthesia
General anesthesia, as an inpatient or short-stay procedure. It is a longer operation, often three to six hours, because it treats all the way around the lower body.
Downtime
Most people take about four to six weeks off, with drains for a week or two and limited activity early on, returning to full activity gradually as Dr. Sayed clears them.
Results
A smoother, firmer, more contoured lower body with the loose skin removed. The scar sits at the beltline and fades over time; the final shape shows as swelling settles over a few months.
Who it suits
Adults at a stable weight after major weight loss, in good health, with loose, hanging skin around the lower trunk that diet and exercise cannot fix. A consultation confirms candidacy.
Why patients choose Tim Sayed MD
A body lift is a major operation that rewards planning and technique. The excess skin must be removed evenly all the way around, the tension balanced so the scar heals well and sits at the beltline, and the whole lower body lifted in proportion. Tim Sayed MD is double board-certified and plans each body lift carefully.
Dr. Sayed is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery, with more than 20 years in practice.
Read about Tim Sayed MD
He places the circumferential scar low, where underwear or a swimsuit covers it, and balances tension so it heals as well as possible.
He lifts the abdomen, flanks, thighs, and buttocks together, so the whole lower body is smoother and in proportion rather than one area alone.
See body lift results
After major weight loss, loose skin behaves differently; Dr. Sayed plans for it, and for your nutrition and healing, so the result holds.
A body lift pairs with liposuction, an arm lift, or a thigh lift to address loose skin across the body in a staged plan.
If your weight is not yet stable, or your health or nutrition needs attention first, he will tell you. Timing matters for a safe body lift.
Book a body lift consultation
Body lift vs tuck
A tummy tuck tightens the front of the abdomen; a body lift goes all the way around, removing loose skin from the flanks, back, and outer thighs too, and lifting the buttocks. After major weight loss with loose skin all around, a body lift is the fuller answer; for front-only laxity, a tummy tuck is enough.
Both remove loose skin and tighten, but over different areas. A tummy tuck treats the front of the abdomen; a body lift treats the whole lower trunk in a circle. The table below compares them.
| Consideration | How they differ |
|---|---|
| Area treated | Body lift: the whole lower trunk, all the way around. Tummy tuck: the front of the abdomen only. |
| Best for | Body lift: loose skin all around after major weight loss. Tummy tuck: front abdominal skin and muscle. |
| Scar | Body lift: a circumferential scar at the beltline. Tummy tuck: a low scar across the lower abdomen. |
| Also lifts | Body lift: the outer thighs and buttocks too. Tummy tuck: the abdomen only. |
| Recovery | Body lift: a larger operation, about four to six weeks. Tummy tuck: about two to three weeks. |
After major weight loss with loose skin all the way around, a body lift gives the fullest result. For front-only laxity, a tummy tuck is enough. The exam decides which fits you.
Compare a body lift with a tummy tuck
What it treats
A body lift removes the loose, hanging skin left after major weight loss from around the lower trunk, the abdomen, flanks, back, outer thighs, and buttocks, and lifts and tightens the whole area. It restores a smoother, firmer lower-body shape that diet and exercise cannot achieve once the skin has lost its elasticity.
It is not a weight-loss procedure and is best once your weight is stable. It removes skin, not large volumes of fat, though liposuction can be combined. It leaves a circumferential scar, which is the trade for removing the loose skin, and it does not treat the upper body or arms, which have their own procedures.
Matching the procedure to your skin matters. Loose skin all the way around needs a circumferential lift; front-only laxity needs a tuck. Dr. Sayed assesses your skin, weight stability, and health so the plan is safe and fits your body.
Compare a body lift with an arm or thigh lift
The procedure
A body lift is done under general anesthesia, as an inpatient or short-stay procedure, and is a longer operation, often three to six hours, because it treats all the way around the lower trunk. It has a few key stages.
01
Dr. Sayed marks the skin to remove all the way around with you standing, planning the beltline scar, then anesthesia is given.
02
The excess, hanging skin is removed from around the lower trunk, from the abdomen through the flanks, back, and outer thighs.
03
The remaining skin is lifted and tightened, which smooths the abdomen, lifts the outer thighs, and raises the buttocks.
04
Liposuction may be added to refine the contour where pockets of fat remain, balancing the result.
05
Dr. Sayed closes in layers along the beltline, checks symmetry around the body, and positions the scar low and even.
06
Drains are usually placed to prevent fluid buildup, a compression garment is fitted, and you recover with aftercare and help arranged at home.
A body lift is a larger operation and carries the risks that come with that: bruising, swelling, numbness, a long scar, wound-healing problems or separation, fluid collection (seroma), asymmetry, and, rarely, infection or a blood clot. Healing can be slower after major weight loss if nutrition is not optimized.
Dr. Sayed lowers risk by confirming your weight is stable, reviewing your nutrition, balancing tension on the closure, using drains, and giving clear aftercare. He reviews your history at consultation so the plan fits your health.
A body lift is deferred when your weight is not yet stable, when more weight loss is planned, or when your health or nutrition needs attention first. Smokers are asked to stop around surgery, since smoking impairs healing of a long incision.
If a smaller procedure, a staged plan, or stabilizing your weight and nutrition first is the better path, Dr. Sayed will say so.
Related and alternative options
A body lift addresses the lower trunk. After major weight loss, loose skin elsewhere is treated with its own procedures, often in a staged plan.
What fits best depends on where the loose skin is and your weight stability and health. These are the procedures Dr. Sayed weighs with you.
See all body procedures
Tightens the front of the abdomen.
For front-only laxity, less than a full lift.
A step below a circumferential body lift.
Removes loose skin from the upper arms.
Common after major weight loss.
Often staged with a body lift.
Tightens loose skin on the inner thighs.
Complements the outer-thigh lift a body lift gives.
Part of a full post-weight-loss plan.
The lower trunk: the abdomen, flanks, back, outer thighs, and buttocks are lifted together in the circumferential body lift.
With liposuction: fatty pockets are refined during the lift so the contour is smooth.
The arms: an arm lift removes loose upper-arm skin, often staged after the body lift.
The inner thighs: a thigh lift tightens inner-thigh skin that a lower body lift does not reach.
The upper body: an upper body lift or breast procedure addresses loose skin above the waist in a staged plan.
Before and after
Photographs show a smoother, firmer lower body with the loose skin removed after a body lift. Results vary from person to person; these are examples, not a promise of a specific outcome.
Gallery 01
A flatter abdomen and smoother flanks.
Gallery 02
Lifted outer thighs and a smoother hipline.
Photographs are examples of real outcomes and are not a guarantee. Individual results depend on anatomy, weight loss, healing, and the plan. All photos are shared with patient consent.
Cost and financing
In San Diego, a body lift commonly runs about $15,000 to $30,000, depending on how much skin is removed, whether liposuction is added, and the anesthesia and facility time. Because it is a larger, circumferential operation, it costs more than a tummy tuck. The quote covers the surgeon, anesthesia, the facility, and garments.
Body lift pricing depends mainly on the extent of skin removal and the operating time. The quote covers the surgeon fee, anesthesia, and the facility. Because it is cosmetic, it is not covered by insurance, though skin problems from hanging skin are occasionally an exception to discuss with your insurer.
Extent of skin removal: more loose skin and a full circumferential lift adds time and cost.
Added liposuction: refining the contour with liposuction adds to the total.
Operating and facility time: a longer operation adds anesthesia and facility cost.
Staged procedures: an arm or thigh lift done separately has its own cost.
Surgeon experience: a double board-certified surgeon experienced in post-weight-loss surgery reflects training and judgment.
Ask about body lift financing
Recovery
A body lift is a larger operation, so recovery takes longer than a tummy tuck. Most people take about four to six weeks off, with drains early on and limited activity, returning to normal gradually.
Days 1 to 7
Rest with help at home. Soreness, swelling, and tightness all around are normal, with drains in place. Walk gently bent at the hips, wear the garment, and avoid strain.
Weeks 1 to 2
Drains usually come out as output drops. Bruising fades and you stand straighter. Continue to avoid lifting and strain, moving carefully.
Weeks 2 to 4
Many return to desk work and light routines. Swelling settles and the scar begins to mature; keep wearing the garment and avoid heavy activity.
Weeks 4 to 6
Return to exercise gradually as Dr. Sayed clears you. The lower-body shape emerges as swelling drops.
Months 2 to 6
Swelling fully resolves, the scar continues to fade, and the final smoother, firmer lower-body shape shows.
Arrange help: plan support at home for the first week or two after a larger operation.
Care for the drains: follow the instructions for the drains until they come out.
Wear the garment: compression controls swelling and supports the healing beltline.
Nutrition matters: good protein and nutrition after weight loss support healing of the long incision.
No smoking: smoking impairs healing of a circumferential scar; avoid it around surgery.
Stable weight: a steady weight keeps the result looking its best after the loose skin is removed.
Ask about body lift recovery
Your surgeon
Planned and balanced. Tim Sayed MD removes the loose skin evenly all the way around and hides the scar at the beltline, so the lower body is smoother and in proportion.
Tim Sayed MD, MBA, FACS is a double board-certified plastic surgeon, certified by both the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery. He trained at UCSF and at Harvard's Massachusetts General Hospital, and earned an executive MBA from Northwestern's Kellogg School of Management.
Dr. Sayed is a double board-certified plastic surgeon with more than 20 years of experience. His approach to the body lift is careful: even skin removal all the way around, a balanced beltline scar, and attention to weight stability and nutrition so the result holds.
American Board of Plastic Surgery
Board certified and recertified
American Board of Surgery
Board certified and recertified
UCSF School of Medicine
MD and plastic surgery residency
Harvard, Mass General
General surgery training
Kellogg School of Management
Executive MBA, Northwestern
Alpha Omega Alpha
National medical honor society
Serving Southern California
Dr. Sayed sees body lift patients at two Southern California offices: San Diego, at 4510 Executive Drive, Suite 210, near UTC and La Jolla; and Newport Beach, at 3991 MacArthur Boulevard, Suite 320, in the Airport Area near Fashion Island. Patients travel from across San Diego and Orange County for his careful approach to post-weight-loss surgery.
Southern California makes body lift recovery easier. In the first weeks, gentle daily walks along the region flat coastal paths, in mild and dry weather, keep you moving comfortably while you heal.
Tim Sayed MD, San Diego & Newport Beach
Offices
San Diego: 4510 Executive Drive, Suite 210, San Diego, CA 92121. Newport Beach: 3991 MacArthur Boulevard, Suite 320, Newport Beach, CA 92660.
Phone
(858) 247-2933
San Diego area
San Diego, La Jolla, UTC, Del Mar, Carmel Valley, Encinitas, Rancho Santa Fe
Orange County area
Newport Beach, Corona del Mar, Costa Mesa, Irvine, Laguna Beach, Fashion Island
If major weight loss has left loose, hanging skin around your lower body, a consultation with Tim Sayed MD is the place to start. He will examine the skin, confirm your weight is stable, explain whether a full body lift or a smaller procedure fits, and lay out the plan, scar, cost, and recovery honestly.
FAQ
In San Diego, a body lift commonly runs about $15,000 to $30,000, depending on the extent of skin removal and whether liposuction is added. The quote covers the surgeon, anesthesia, and the facility. Because it is cosmetic, it is usually not covered by insurance.
A body lift is a larger operation, so most people take about four to six weeks off, with drains for a week or two and limited activity early on. Full activity returns gradually, and the final shape settles over a few months.
A body lift removes loose, hanging skin from around the lower trunk, the abdomen, flanks, back, and outer thighs, after major weight loss, and lifts and tightens the whole area in one circumferential procedure. The scar sits at the beltline.
It depends on where the loose skin is. If it is only on the front of the abdomen, a tummy tuck is enough. If loose skin wraps all the way around after major weight loss, a body lift is the fuller answer. The exam decides.
It is best once your weight has been stable for several months, often after reaching your goal from bariatric surgery or major weight loss, so the skin and your health have settled. Stable weight and good nutrition make a safe body lift and a lasting result.
Yes, a body lift leaves a long scar that goes around the lower trunk at the beltline, the trade for removing the loose skin. Dr. Sayed places it low, where clothing covers it, and it fades over time. Honest scar expectations are part of the consultation.
A lower body lift treats the abdomen, flanks, lower back, outer thighs, and buttocks in one circumferential procedure. Loose skin on the arms, inner thighs, or upper body is treated with its own procedures, often staged.
The first week is sore, with tightness all around, controlled with medication. Because it is a larger operation, recovery is more involved than a tummy tuck, but most people describe soreness and tightness that ease over the following weeks.
No. A body lift removes the loose skin left after weight loss; it is not a way to lose weight and is best once your weight is stable. It removes skin, not large amounts of fat, though liposuction can refine the contour.
Yes, though because it is a larger operation, additional procedures such as an arm lift or thigh lift are often staged for safety. Liposuction is frequently combined to refine the contour. Dr. Sayed plans the sequence around your health.
A body lift is usually considered cosmetic and not covered. Occasionally, documented skin problems from hanging skin, such as rashes or infections, may be a reason to discuss coverage with your insurer, though this is uncommon and varies by plan.
Because it is a larger, circumferential operation, risks include a long scar, wound-healing problems or separation, fluid collection, bruising, swelling, numbness, asymmetry, and, rarely, infection or a blood clot. Stable weight, good nutrition, and not smoking keep risk lower.
It depends on how much loose skin you have after weight loss. A body lift removes a belt of excess skin from around the lower trunk; the amount varies from person to person. Dr. Sayed plans the removal so the closure heals well and the scar sits at the beltline.
Good candidates are adults at a stable weight after major weight loss, in good health and with good nutrition, with loose, hanging skin around the lower trunk. Not smoking helps healing. A consultation and exam confirm candidacy and timing.
Patient Reviews