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Body Lift, La Jolla
A body lift removes loose, hanging skin around the lower trunk — abdomen, flanks, back, and outer thighs — and lifts and tightens remaining tissue, most often after major weight loss. At your La Jolla consultation, Tim Sayed MD evaluates how much skin remains, whether weight is stable, and whether a body lift, tummy tuck, staged procedures, or no surgery fits.
The La Jolla consultation office is in University City, at 4510 Executive Drive, Suite 210, San Diego, CA 92121. Consultations and follow-ups take place here. Surgery is performed only in accredited operating rooms separate from both consultation offices, not at the University City office.
Ask about operations similar to yours and how your health, tissue quality, and goals affect the plan.
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
Dr. Sayed is certified by both the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery, and he has been recertified in both after ten years. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.
He earned his medical degree at the UCSF School of Medicine, completed general surgery training at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard, and returned to UCSF for his plastic surgery fellowship.
Ask about operations similar to yours and how your health, tissue quality, and goals affect the plan.
Request a body lift consultation in La Jolla · (858) 247-2933
Body lift vs tuck
A lower or circumferential body lift removes an apron of excess skin and fat, tightens the remaining soft tissue, and may include liposuction of selected areas. Scars typically follow a beltline pattern and are permanent. The operation is larger than a standard tummy tuck and may be staged with breast, arm, or thigh procedures.
A body lift is not a weight-loss method. Remaining fat and skin elsewhere are not automatically treated. Perfect symmetry and a scar hidden in every garment cannot be promised. Weight regain can recreate laxity. Results are not guaranteed; further surgery is common in massive-weight-loss pathways.
| 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. |
Related options for La Jolla patients include tummy tuck in La Jolla, arm lift in La Jolla, and body contouring surgery in La Jolla.
Compare a body lift with a tummy tuck
Consultation
Bring your weight-loss history, including surgery dates if you had bariatric procedures, and a list of medications. You do not need to decide on staging before the examination.
Ask how much skin would be removed, where scars would run, whether drains are expected, and whether liposuction or other lifts should be staged. Review the help you would need at home. Unstable weight, nicotine use, or nutritional deficiencies may delay surgery.
Related options for La Jolla patients include tummy tuck in La Jolla, arm lift in La Jolla, and body contouring surgery in La Jolla.
Compare a body lift with an arm or thigh lift
The procedure
Body lift risks include anesthesia complications, bleeding, infection, seroma, wound separation, delayed healing, unfavorable or widened scars, asymmetry, numbness, blood clots, and the need for revision. Larger operations and longer operative times raise risk. Smoking and poor nutrition increase wound problems.
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4510 Executive Drive, Suite 210, San Diego, CA 92121
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A body lift is a larger recovery than a tummy tuck alone. Many patients need several weeks away from work, with drains for a period and limited activity early on. Exact timelines are individualized. Arrange substantial help at home and a driver from the operating facility. Ask about drain care, garment use, sleeping position, and lifting limits. Walking as directed lowers clot risk. Full activity waits for clearance. Your follow-ups are at the same University City office where you had your La Jolla consultation. Ask how long to remain nearby if you travel.
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Body lift risks include anesthesia complications, bleeding, infection, seroma, wound separation, delayed healing, unfavorable or widened scars, asymmetry, numbness, blood clots, and the need for revision. Larger operations and longer operative times raise risk. Smoking and poor nutrition increase wound problems. Discuss VTE prevention, drain plans, possible overnight observation, and staging. Seek urgent care for chest pain, shortness of breath, fever, or wound concerns.
Discuss VTE prevention, drain plans, possible overnight observation, and staging. Seek urgent care for chest pain, shortness of breath, fever, or wound concerns.
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.
Before and after
Ask to see photographs relevant to your concerns. The same practice gallery is used for both offices; these are not location-specific results. Photographs do not guarantee your outcome.
Cost and financing
The practice’s current body lift range is $15,000–$30,000, including the surgeon’s fee, anesthesia, and facility fees. The same range applies at both consultation offices. Extent of skin removal, added liposuction, and operating time change the quote. Garment and other items may be itemized separately — ask what your written quote includes.
Request a written quote for your proposed operation. Ask which planned procedures and follow-up services it covers and what could add to the cost. Cosmetic body contouring is typically not covered by insurance; confirm with your insurer if you believe a portion may qualify.
Ask about body lift financing
Recovery
A body lift is a larger recovery than a tummy tuck alone. Many patients need several weeks away from work, with drains for a period and limited activity early on. Exact timelines are individualized.
Arrange substantial help at home and a driver from the operating facility. Ask about drain care, garment use, sleeping position, and lifting limits. Walking as directed lowers clot risk. Full activity waits for clearance.
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.
Ask about body lift recovery
Your surgeon
Dr. Sayed is certified by both the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery, and he has been recertified in both after ten years. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.
He earned his medical degree at the UCSF School of Medicine, completed general surgery training at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard, and returned to UCSF for his plastic surgery fellowship.
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
Office
For your La Jolla consultation and follow-ups, use the University City office’s San Diego postal address shown below.
Confirm your appointment time when scheduling. On Mondays, this office opens at 9:00 AM, half an hour later than Newport Beach.
Choose the office you can return to for follow-ups, not just the first consultation. Those visits take place at your consultation office, so discuss the choice before scheduling.
Consultation details for La Jolla · Compare the Newport Beach consultation office
Before surgery, obtain the operating facility's address, arrival time, and discharge instructions from the team. Do not use the University City consultation address as your surgery destination. Arrange transportation from the accredited operating room and for return visits to this office. If you will recover outside the area, discuss how long to remain nearby and when you must return; no fixed stay length applies to everyone.
Tim Sayed MD, La Jolla / University City
Address
4510 Executive Drive, Suite 210, San Diego, CA 92121
Phone
(858) 247-2933
Hours
Mon 9:00 AM–4:30 PM; Tue–Fri 8:30 AM–4:30 PM PT; Sat–Sun closed
Surgery
Accredited operating rooms only, separate from both consultation offices
Approved copy
For your La Jolla consultation and follow-ups, use the University City office’s San Diego postal address shown below.
Tim Sayed MD — La Jolla / University City consultation office 4510 Executive Drive, Suite 210 San Diego, CA 92121 Shared practice phone: (858) 247-2933
Confirm your appointment time when scheduling. On Mondays, this office opens at 9:00 AM, half an hour later than Newport Beach.
Choose the office you can return to for follow-ups, not just the first consultation. Those visits take place at your consultation office, so discuss the choice before scheduling.
Consultation details for La Jolla · Compare the Newport Beach consultation office
Before surgery, obtain the operating facility's address, arrival time, and discharge instructions from the team. Do not use the University City consultation address as your surgery destination. Arrange transportation from the accredited operating room and for return visits to this office. If you will recover outside the area, discuss how long to remain nearby and when you must return; no fixed stay length applies to everyone.
Bring your weight-loss history, including surgery dates if you had bariatric procedures, and a list of medications. You do not need to decide on staging before the examination.
Ask how much skin would be removed, where scars would run, whether drains are expected, and whether liposuction or other lifts should be staged. Review the help you would need at home. Unstable weight, nicotine use, or nutritional deficiencies may delay surgery.
A body lift is a larger recovery than a tummy tuck alone. Many patients need several weeks away from work, with drains for a period and limited activity early on. Exact timelines are individualized.
Arrange substantial help at home and a driver from the operating facility. Ask about drain care, garment use, sleeping position, and lifting limits. Walking as directed lowers clot risk. Full activity waits for clearance.
Your follow-ups are at the same University City office where you had your La Jolla consultation. Ask how long to remain nearby if you travel.
The practice’s current body lift range is $15,000–$30,000, including the surgeon’s fee, anesthesia, and facility fees. The same range applies at both consultation offices. Extent of skin removal, added liposuction, and operating time change the quote. Garment and other items may be itemized separately — ask what your written quote includes.
Request a written quote for your proposed operation. Ask which planned procedures and follow-up services it covers and what could add to the cost. Cosmetic body contouring is typically not covered by insurance; confirm with your insurer if you believe a portion may qualify.
Practice pricing information for La Jolla patients · Financing information for La Jolla patients
FAQ
The practice range is $15,000–$30,000, including the surgeon’s fee, anesthesia, and facility fees. Request a written quote for your proposed procedures and ask about any additional fees. This practice-wide range applies at both consultation offices.
Recovery timing is individualized. Follow your surgeon’s instructions. Your follow-ups take place at the same University City office as your La Jolla consultation.
A body lift removes hanging lower-trunk skin after major weight loss and tightens remaining tissue. It is reconstructive in intent for laxity, not a weight-loss operation.
A tummy tuck focuses on the abdomen. A body lift addresses a wider belt of skin around the trunk and often the outer thighs. The exam decides.
Weight should generally be stable for a period your surgeon specifies, with nutrition adequate for healing. Timing after bariatric surgery is individualized.
Yes. A permanent beltline scar is expected. Quality varies; complete concealment cannot be promised.
Typically the abdomen, flanks, lower back, and outer thighs. Arms, breasts, or inner thighs may need separate or staged operations.
No. Candidates have already lost substantial weight and have redundant skin.
Sometimes, within safe operative-time limits. Staging is often safer after massive weight loss.
Coverage depends on diagnosis, documentation, and your policy. Many cases are considered cosmetic. Check with your insurer before surgery.
Risks include wound-healing problems, seroma, infection, blood clots, unfavorable scars, asymmetry, and revision surgery.
Stable weight, adequate nutrition, realistic scar acceptance, and medical clearance matter. Smoking usually requires cessation before elective surgery.
Discomfort is expected after a large operation and is managed with a perioperative plan. Experience varies.
Review Dr. Sayed’s qualifications on this page and ask about massive-weight-loss experience, staging, and complication management.
The office is in University City at 4510 Executive Drive, Suite 210, San Diego, CA 92121. Monday hours are 9:00 AM–4:30 PM; Tuesday–Friday hours are 8:30 AM–4:30 PM, Pacific Time. It is closed Saturday and Sunday. Confirm your appointment time when scheduling. Call (858) 247-2933.
Your follow-ups are at the same University City office as your consultation. Surgery is performed only in accredited operating rooms separate from both consultation offices. Obtain the operating facility’s address before arranging transportation. If traveling, discuss how long to remain nearby and when to return for follow-up. ---
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