The body lift at a glance
- Duration4 to 6 h
- AnaesthesiaGeneral
- Hospital stay1 to 3 nights
- Time off work21 days
- Final result6 to 12 months
- Price€6,000 to €15,000
The lower body lift, or circumferential abdominoplasty, tightens the abdomen, hips, outer thighs and buttocks in a single operation. It is mainly intended for people who have lost a great deal of weight, through dieting or obesity surgery (bypass, sleeve, gastric band), and whose weight has been stable for at least 6 months. The operation takes 4 to 6 hours at Clinique Oxford in Cannes, under general anaesthesia, with 1 to 3 nights in hospital. The scar runs all the way round the waist, hidden by swimwear. Time off work of 21 days; final result between 6 and 12 months.
Price: €6,000 to €15,000, on a written quote after consultation (€100).
Abdominoplasty, body lift or thigh lift: which to choose?
| Abdominoplasty | Lower body lift | Upper body lift | Thigh lift | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Areas treated | Abdomen | Abdomen, hips, outer thighs, buttocks | Arms, sides of the chest, back, chest | Inner thighs |
| Scar | Lower abdomen, within the underwear line, and around the navel | Around the waist, within the swimwear line, and around the navel | Inner arms, extending along the side of the chest, beneath the breasts or across the back | Groin crease and inner thigh |
| Duration | 2 to 3 hours | 4 to 6 hours | 3 to 4 hours | 3 hours |
| Hospital stay | 1 to 2 nights | 1 to 3 nights | Day surgery or 1 night | 1 to 2 nights |
| Time off work | 15 to 21 days | 21 days | 15 to 21 days | 15 to 21 days |
| Final result | 3 months | 6 to 12 months | 6 to 12 months | 6 to 12 months |
| Price | €5,000 to €10,000 | €6,000 to €15,000 | €6,000 to €12,000 | €4,000 to €8,000 |
Who is it for?
The body lift is for people who have at the same time a damaged abdomen (stretch marks, an overhanging apron of skin), loose skin on the outer thighs and flat or sagging buttocks. This is most often the case after major weight loss, whether or not followed by obesity surgery. For a lasting result, your weight must have been stable for at least 6 months. When only the abdomen is affected, an abdominoplasty is enough.
The upper body lift
The upper body lift treats the upper body after major weight loss. It combines an arm lift, a lift of the sides of the chest and the back, where loose skin forms folds below the armpits and at bra-strap level, and, depending on the case, a breast lift in women or correction of the chest in men. The scars follow the inner arms, extend along the side of the chest and run beneath the breasts or across the back, at bra-strap level. It is most often carried out some time after the lower body lift, as a separate operation. Duration: 3 to 4 hours; hospital stay: day surgery or one night; time off work: 15 to 21 days; price: €6,000 to €12,000.
The scars of the upper body lift
In blue-green.
- 1Inner arm
- 2Side of the chest
- 3Beneath the breasts
- 4On the back: removal of the skin folds of the back, horizontal scar at bra-strap level
Dr Médard de Chardon’s experience
- More than 300 body lifts performed.
- Surgery after weight loss: abdominoplasty , arm lift , thigh lift , liposuction .
Before and after photos
Body lift after major weight loss
After-effects of weight loss: body lift (circumferential abdominoplasty). Result at 8 months
Body lift: high-tension abdominoplasty, liposuction of the flanks and saddlebags, buttock lift
Circumferential abdominoplasty for the after-effects of weight loss following a gastric bypass
Body lift after bypass
Circumferential abdominal dermolipectomy, performed as a body lift after major weight loss following a gastric bypass
See all before and after photos of body lifts
How is the operation carried out?
The markings. The surgeon draws the guide marks with you standing.
The posterior stage, lying face down. The buttock lift is carried out first, to raise sagging buttocks. If they are flat, they are augmented with a reshaped flap of your own skin and fat (autoplasty). Liposuction of the saddlebags is then carried out, followed by a lift of the outer thighs. The scar is placed within the swimwear line.
The anterior stage, lying on your back. A high-tension abdominoplasty tightens the abdomen firmly and lastingly. The rectus abdominis muscles are brought together if they have separated (diastasis). The tension is adjusted in a semi-seated position. Drains are placed at the end of the operation. The horizontal scar joins the posterior scar; there is also a small scar around the navel. The scar therefore runs all the way round the waist, hence the name circumferential abdominoplasty.
Before: abdomen, hips, outer thighs and buttocks loose after major weight loss.
- 1Abdomen: high-tension abdominoplasty
- 2Hips and outer thighs
- 3Buttocks: lift, or augmentation by autoplasty if they are flat
- 4Circumferential scar, hidden within the swimwear line, and around the navel
- ConsultationAt the practice, 101 rue d’Antibes, Cannes (€100). Statutory 15-day cooling-off period.
- Anaesthetic consultationWith an anaesthetist (anaesthesia and intensive care physician).
- OperationAt Clinique Oxford in Cannes, under general anaesthesia, lasting 4 to 6 hours, with 1 to 3 nights in hospital.
- Follow-up visitsDay 10, month 1, month 3, month 6, month 12.
What is the recovery like?
- Moderate pain and discomfort with everyday movements for 21 days.
- Drains removed on the day you leave the clinic.
- Dissolvable stitches, except for three stitches at the navel.
- Compression garment (lipo-panty): 4 weeks; compression stockings: 15 days; preventive anticoagulant treatment: 8 to 15 days.
- Work: 21 days; sport: 4 to 6 weeks.
- Result visible straight away, with moderate swelling; final result for the shape between 6 and 12 months, and for the scars at 12 months.
- If the volume of the buttocks is still insufficient, buttock fat transfer (lipofilling) can be carried out at a later stage.
Where will you be?
14 days after the procedure
What are the risks?
The body lift is a long operation, and its risks are explained in detail at the consultation: delayed healing, especially where the scars meet and in smokers, seroma (a collection of fluid), haematoma, a widened or asymmetrical scar, changes in sensation and, more rarely, phlebitis (deep vein thrombosis) or pulmonary embolism, which are prevented with compression stockings and 8 to 15 days of anticoagulant treatment.
Choosing a qualified, experienced and reputable surgeon reduces these risks, and can even eliminate some of them.
Can a body lift be covered by insurance?
€6,000 to €15,000
If the plastic surgeon considers that cover is possible, he writes a request for prior approval. You will be called in by the Assurance Maladie medical adviser within 15 days of the letter being received. If the answer is favourable, the body lift is covered partly or fully, depending on your top-up insurance (mutuelle). Price: €6,000 to €15,000 (lower body lift), €6,000 to €12,000 (upper body lift), on a written quote after consultation (€100).
Book an appointment: +33 (0)4 93 68 86 68 or Doctolib.
Frequently asked questions about the body lift
What is the difference between a body lift and an abdominoplasty?
Abdominoplasty treats only the abdomen. The body lift combines an abdominoplasty, a lift of the outer thighs and a buttock lift, with a scar that runs all the way round the waist.
Do I need to wait after obesity surgery before having a body lift?
Yes. Your weight must have been stable for at least 6 months to obtain the best result.
Where is the body lift scar?
It runs all the way round the waist and stays hidden by swimwear, with a small scar around the navel. It fades gradually up to month 12.
How long is the hospital stay for a body lift?
From 1 to 3 nights at Clinique Oxford in Cannes. The drains are removed on the day you leave.
When can I return to work and sport after a body lift?
Work after 21 days, sport after 4 to 6 weeks.
Can a body lift increase the volume of the buttocks?
Yes. If the buttocks are flat, a flap of skin and fat is reshaped to give them more curve. Fat transfer (lipofilling) can complete the result at a later stage.
Is the body lift reimbursed?
It can be covered after a request for prior approval from French national health insurance (Assurance Maladie), partly or fully depending on your top-up insurance (mutuelle).
How much does a body lift cost?
From €6,000 to €15,000 for a lower body lift and from €6,000 to €12,000 for an upper body lift, on a written quote after the consultation (€100).