Body Lift After Weight Loss
We’ve helped numerous patients from Rancho Cucamonga and beyond complete their weight loss journey with expertly performed body lift surgery and compassionate care
Unfortunately, a person’s body transformation does not always end once excess weight has been lost. Sagging areas of excess skin are often left behind, which can be embarrassing or even physically uncomfortable. This can be a tough period for anyone who has lost a significant amount of weight—it’s easy to assume that everything will be wonderful once you’ve reached your goals and disappointing when you still feel uncomfortable with the appearance of your body.
Skin that has been “stretched” beyond its natural capacity will never just bounce back on its own, no matter how many toning exercises you do or specialty creams you apply. But that doesn’t mean you will forever be plagued by heavy, hanging skin that chafes and makes it difficult to find clothes that fit correctly.
Dr. Jacob Haiavy and Dr. Emma Ryan are passionate about cosmetic surgery. As diplomates of the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, they have the expertise to personalize every aspect of your procedure and deliver safe, beautifully natural results.
Body lift surgery after weight loss can help you enjoy the results of your hard work by removing the excess skin to improve your body proportions, highlight your slimmer physique, and help you feel more comfortable and confident day to day.
Is a body lift right for you?
If you are struggling with excess skin after having lost a large amount of weight naturally or through weight loss surgery, you may be a good candidate for a post-bariatric body lift. The goal of the body lift is not to address excess fat; ideal candidates will be at or near their ideal weight before surgery.
The only way to truly determine if a body lift is right and safe for you is to meet with an experienced cosmetic surgeon like Dr. Jacob Haiavy or Dr. Emma Ryan. Your surgeon will examine your areas of concern and talk to you about your goals. Because there are a number of conditions associated with being overweight that can complicate surgery, be prepared to be open and honest about your medical history before moving forward.
A body lift can help treat areas that are affected by loose skin, including the:
- Chest
- Abdomen or hips
- Buttocks
- Groin
- Thighs
- Arms
Other procedures may be combined with a body lift for enhanced results, such as a breast lift with or without implants to address a droopy appearance, fat grafting to further improve body contours, or facial rejuvenation to reduce sagging skin.
How much does a body lift cost?
The cost of a body lift procedure at Inland Cosmetic Surgery in Rancho Cucamonga typically ranges between $15,500–$18,500 depending on the extent of your procedure.
During your consultation with one of our cosmetic surgeons, they will sit down with you one-on-one, discuss your aesthetic goals, review all of your options, and come up with an exact cost estimate. We also have financing options available to make paying for your procedure as seamless as possible.
- Key Benefits
- Glossary
- Improved Body Contour and Shape: The procedure contours and reshapes areas of the body, enhancing the results of weight loss.
- Enhanced Comfort and Mobility: Removing excess skin can increase comfort, reduce chafing and skin irritation, and improve mobility.
- Long-Lasting Results: If weight remains stable, the results of a body lift can be long-lasting, maintaining the improved body shape over time.
- Can Address Multiple Areas in One Procedure: A body lift can target several areas of the body, such as the abdomen, thighs, buttocks, and hips, in a single procedure.
- 360 Body Lift: Also known as a total body lift, this procedure addresses excess skin and fat around the entire circumference of the body, including the abdomen, lower back, buttocks, and thighs.
- Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck): A surgical procedure removing excess skin and fat from the abdomen, often included in a body lift.
- Anesthesia: Medications used during surgery to prevent pain and alter consciousness, essential for body lift procedures.
- Arm Lift (Brachioplasty): A surgical procedure to remove excess skin and fat from the upper arms, sometimes part of a comprehensive body lift after significant weight loss.
- Body Contouring: Procedures that reshape areas of the body, such as body lifts, often utilized after major weight loss.
- Body Lift: A surgical procedure to remove excess skin and fat from various body areas following significant weight loss.
- Circumferential Body Lift: Also known as a lower body lift, involving the removal of excess skin and fat from the abdomen, hips, buttocks, and thighs.
- Compression Garments: Specialized clothing worn post-surgery to reduce swelling and support the healing process, recommended after a body lift.
- Excess Skin Removal: The surgical removal of loose skin, a key component of body lift procedures.
- Liposuction: A cosmetic surgery technique, often used alongside body lifts to remove excess fat from targeted areas.
- Panniculectomy: A procedure to remove the pannus or excess skin and tissue from the lower abdomen, sometimes part of a body lift.
- Posterior Body Lift: A procedure focusing on the removal of excess skin and fat from the back and buttocks, part of the body lift process.
- Recovery Time: The healing period after surgery, vital for patients undergoing a body lift.
- Skin Elasticity: The ability of skin to stretch and return to its original state, important in determining body lift outcomes.
- Thigh Lift: A surgical procedure to remove excess skin and fat from the thighs, often included in a body lift for those with significant weight loss.
What happens during a body lift?
When you come in for your consultation with Dr. Haiavy or Dr. Ryan they will listen to your expectations and observe your body to develop a treatment plan unique to your condition. The pattern and length of the incision required for your surgery will be based on the amount of excess skin you need removed as well as its location.
With a full lower body lift, a circumferential incision will be made around your body (sitting at about waist level) to remove a belt of the loose skin. Your surgeon can then carefully tighten the underlying tissue and repair the abdominal wall before pulling the skin tight and closing your incisions to achieve a smooth, tighter contour.
Recovery from your procedure will depend on the extent of your surgery. It will take time for bruising and swelling to fade, however you will notice the beautiful changes in the shape of your body almost instantly.
For some of our patients we may recommend our post-surgery lymphatic drainage massage therapy treatments performed by our licensed massage therapist as part of your recovery. This unique type of massage can help minimize post-surgery swelling and support your overall wellness.
Our cosmetic surgeons use the most advanced techniques to deliver natural-looking results. See our real patients’ results in our patient gallery.
Additional procedures for body contouring after weight loss
Arm Lift (Brachioplasty)
An arm lift, or brachioplasty, reshapes the upper arms by removing excess skin and fat, resulting in a more toned and defined appearance. This procedure is especially beneficial for individuals who have experienced significant weight loss and are left with “bat wings” that diet and exercise cannot address. The result is a firmer, more youthful contour of the arms.
The cost of an arm lift procedure at Inland Cosmetic Surgery ranges between $8,000-$12,000, depending on the extent of your procedure.
Upper Bra Back Lift
The upper bra back lift targets the excess skin and fat that can accumulate in the upper back area, particularly around the bra line. This procedure removes the unwanted tissue, smoothing out the back and creating a more contoured silhouette. It’s an excellent option for those who want to eliminate bulges and achieve a streamlined look in this challenging area.
The cost of an upper bra back lift with one of our Rancho Cucamonga cosmetic surgeons ranges between $13,000-$18,000, depending on the extent of your procedure.
Thigh Lift
A thigh lift improves the appearance of the thighs by removing excess skin and fat, resulting in smoother, firmer, and more proportionate thighs. This procedure can address issues in both the inner and outer thighs, helping individuals who have lost significant weight to achieve a more balanced and toned lower body and leg contour.
The cost of a thigh lift at Inland Cosmetic Surgery ranges between $10,000-$13,000, depending on the extent of your procedure.
Panniculectomy
A panniculectomy focuses on removing the hanging skin and fat in the lower abdomen, known as the pannus or “apron.” Unlike a tummy tuck, this procedure does not tighten the abdominal muscles but significantly improves comfort and hygiene by eliminating excess tissue that can cause chafing and infections.
The cost of a panniculectomy ranges between $9,100-$11,600, depending on the extent of your procedure.
Buffalo Hump Removal
Buffalo hump removal targets the fat deposits that can accumulate at the back of the neck and upper back. This condition, often resulting from weight gain or hormonal imbalances, can cause discomfort and self-consciousness. The removal procedure involves liposuction or surgical excision, resulting in a smoother and more natural contour of the neck and upper back.
The cost of buffalo hump removal at our cosmetic surgery center starts at $4,600, depending on the extent of your procedure.
Dermolipectomy (Excess skin removal)
Dermolipectomy is any procedure designed to remove large amounts of excess skin and underlying tissue from various parts of the body. This comprehensive approach is particularly beneficial for individuals who have undergone extreme weight loss and are left with significant amounts of loose, sagging skin. By excising this excess tissue, dermolipectomy helps to improve body contour and enhance overall comfort and appearance.
The cost of dermolipectomy with our surgeons ranges between $6,000-$10,000, depending on the extent of your procedure. Dermolipectomy is skin removal only, so any additional procedures to correct other concerns (such as muscle repair or skin tightening) will be considered a separate procedure.
Southern California Body Lift
Ready to get the silhouette you’ve been wanting? Contact our Rancho Cucamonga cosmetic surgery practice.
Service areas include: Rancho Cucamonga, Chino Hills, Corona, Riverside, Newport Beach, Victorville, Hesperia, and Upland, California.
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Medically reviewed by Dr. Jacob Haiavy — Updated on Mar 7, 2025