If you’ve recently lost a significant amount of weight, you may be researching your options for body contouring. Depending on how much excess skin you have, you may also wonder whether a tummy tuck vs body lift surgery is the best choice for your needs. In this blog post, we discuss the differences between these 2 procedures so you can confidently complete your weight loss transformation.
What’s the Difference Between a Tummy Tuck and a Body Lift?
A tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) focuses on the abdominal area. It removes excess skin, tightens the separated, often weakened abdominal muscles, and often includes liposuction for comprehensive reshaping. This procedure is especially beneficial for patients with:
- Loose or sagging abdominal skin
- Stretched or separated muscles (diastasis recti)
- Localized fat that resists diet and exercise
In contrast, a body lift is another procedure that can be combined with a tummy tuck or done by itself. In performing this procedure, Dr. Parker places the patient on their tummy and removes the loose and excess skin from their hips, outer thighs, lower back, and buttocks.
A body lift is performed with an incision that is a continuation of the tummy tuck incision extending around the back, creating a circumferential scar designed to be hidden by undergarments or a bikini. Adding a body lift to a tummy tuck procedure is often referred to as a “circumferential abdominoplasty.”
While a body lift adds surgical operating time, it adds very little (i.e., about 10%) to the recovery period. No muscle tightening is performed with a body lift, which is why the recovery is easier than a tummy tuck. This option is ideal for patients with loose skin circumferentially around the waist and lower body.
Which One Do You Need?
The right procedure depends on where you carry excess skin and what areas bother you most after weight loss.
| A Tummy Tuck Alone May Be a Good Choice if: | A Body Lift May Be a Better Choice if: |
| Your primary concern is loose skin on your abdomen. | You have loose skin that wraps around the waist or affects the buttocks. |
| You have good skin tone on your sides and back. | You experience discomfort from excess skin in multiple areas of your trunk. |
| You’re looking for a somewhat shorter recovery. | You want a more comprehensive transformation in one procedure. |
Can These Procedures Be Combined?
Yes—Dr. Parker often combines techniques based on the patient’s anatomy and goals. For example, the Parker Tummy Tuck is an advanced lipoabdominoplasty procedure that often incorporates 360 liposuction and pubic contouring (called a “monsplasty”) for enhanced lifting, tightening, and contouring benefits. This post-weight loss tummy tuck can be extended into a full body lift or incorporated into a larger mommy makeover, depending on your individual goals for treatment
Discover other popular tummy tuck combinations.
Take the Next Step in Your Transformation
You’ve already taken control of your health—now it’s time to feel confident in your skin. Request a consultation or call our office at (201) 967-1212 to get started.
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