Skip to main content

Body Lift in
Washington, D.C.

Those who have never lost a significant amount of weight may not consider what happens to the extra skin that remains after the weight is gone. But if you’re one of the thousands of men and women in Chevy Chase and Bethesda, MD, Arlington and Fairfax, VA, and the Washington, D.C., area who have achieved massive weight loss, you may be left with loose, sagging skin around your midsection, back, arms, or thighs that diet and exercise alone cannot correct.
A body lift can help you finally enjoy the results of your weight loss by addressing the extra skin that often remains after bariatric surgery, childbirth, or major lifestyle changes.
Book Consultation
Home / Body / Body Lift

See the Difference: Body Lift Before & After Photos

See More Before and After Pictures

Real Patient Reviews

Patient reviews can help you learn more about the experience at Center for Plastic Surgery, including the consultation process, surgical planning, recovery, and results.
“From start to finish, my experience with Dr. Rao was very positive. From the first consultation, he took the time to explain everything clearly and made sure I felt comfortable”…Show more
“From the initial consultation to post-op care, Dr. Rao demonstrated professionalism, expertise, and genuine care for my well-being. He took the time to thoroughly”…Show more
“Dr. Rao and his team were fantastic to work with. I had my questions answered and when I had concerns post-op, Dr. Rao called personally to discuss things with me”…Show more
See More Before and After Pictures

Body Lift Cost in
Washington, D.C. & Flexible
Financing Options

Body lift prices start at $14,000 and vary according to the specific procedures performed. Since your body lift will be personalized to your unique concerns and needs, it’s best to visit CPS for a consultation. You will be provided with a specific price estimate at that time.
Because a body lift may include several body contouring techniques, your final cost will depend on the areas treated, the complexity of your procedure, operating room fees, anesthesia, and the details of your personalized surgical plan.
CPS also offers financing through CareCredit® to help make body lift surgery more accessible.

Why Choose Center for Plastic Surgery for Your Body Lift?

At Center for Plastic Surgery, your body lift journey begins with a comprehensive consultation with one of our plastic surgeons. During this visit, your surgeon will review your medical history and overall health, discuss your concerns and goals, and explain the various body lift techniques to determine which one will yield optimal results.
At CPS, your pre-surgical appointments are designed to prepare you for your body lift procedure. Our surgeons, nurses, and dedicated staff work closely with you, offering guidance, reassurance, and personalized care every step of the way. By combining attentive service with advanced medical expertise, the CPS team is committed to delivering a safe, supportive surgical experience that results in beautiful, natural-looking outcomes.
Body lift surgery requires careful planning, precise incision placement, and an artistic understanding of how to improve the abdomen, hips, thighs, buttocks, back, and other areas in a balanced way. At Center for Plastic Surgery, your procedure is tailored to your anatomy, your weight loss journey, and the areas that bother you most.
Meet Our Surgeons

Book Your Body Lift Consultation Today

The best way to determine if you are a good candidate for a body lift is to schedule a consultation with one of the plastic surgeons at Center for Plastic Surgery.
During your consultation, your surgeon will evaluate your concerns, review your medical history, discuss your goals, and help you understand which body lift techniques may be right for you.
To schedule your body lift consultation, call our office today at (703) 560-2850 for Tysons Corner or (301) 652-7700 for Chevy Chase, or complete the online contact form.

What Is a Body Lift?

A body lift is a body contouring procedure designed to remove excess skin, tighten loose tissue, and improve the shape of areas affected by major weight loss, pregnancy, aging, or lifestyle changes.
With an eye for aesthetic contouring of the abdomen, thighs, buttocks, and back, our surgeons perform a body lift to remove excess skin, tightening and flattening these areas. This procedure can help create a smoother, firmer, more natural-looking shape when loose skin prevents you from fully enjoying your weight loss results.
Unlike weight loss surgery, a body lift does not help you lose a large amount of weight. Instead, it refines your figure after weight loss by removing the loose, hanging skin that diet and exercise cannot correct.

What Are the Benefits of a Body Lift?

If you are still hiding your body even after your weight loss, our plastic surgeons can help you complete the positive changes that started with a healthier lifestyle and dramatic weight loss. A body lift can provide a variety of benefits, both physical and psychological, including:

Improved Body Contour

By tightening loose skin and tissue, a body lift gives you smoother lines and a firmer, more defined silhouette.

Enhanced Comfort

Reducing excess redundant skin can alleviate discomfort from issues such as rashes, chafing, or skin breakdown.

More Clothing Options

After a body lift, you can wear fitted clothing more comfortably without feeling restricted or self-conscious.

Increased Confidence

The physical transformation a body lift can offer can enhance your self-confidence by helping you achieve a body shape that reflects the hard work you put into weight loss and lifestyle changes. Additional body lift benefits may include improved ability to exercise or move comfortably, a more proportionate body shape, and relief from irritation caused by excess skin.

Who Is a Good Candidate for a Body Lift?

Good candidates for body lift surgery are nonsmokers in good overall health who have achieved significant weight loss after bariatric surgery, childbirth, or lifestyle changes.
Ideal candidates for a body lift are patients who:
  • Have experienced major weight loss that left behind loose, hanging skin
  • Are at a healthy, stable weight and are committed to maintaining it
  • Have realistic expectations for their body lift results
  • Do not smoke or are willing to stop before and after surgery
  • Want to improve body contour rather than lose a significant amount of weight
  • Are bothered by excess skin around the abdomen, back, hips, thighs, buttocks, or arms
While a body lift offers transformative results, it is not a weight-loss method. Instead, it is a tool for refining your figure after you achieve your weight-loss goals.
The best way to determine if you are a good candidate for a body lift is to schedule a consultation with one of the plastic surgeons at Center for Plastic Surgery.

Preparing for Your Body Lift

At Center for Plastic Surgery, your pre-surgical appointments are designed to prepare you for your body lift procedure. Your team will review your customized surgical plan, explain what to expect before and after surgery, and answer any questions you may have about the process.
Before your body lift, you may be asked to stop smoking, avoid certain medications or supplements, arrange for help at home, prepare comfortable clothing, and plan for time away from work and strenuous activities.
Because body lift recovery is more involved than some other body contouring procedures, preparing your home and support system ahead of time can make the process smoother and more comfortable.

Types of Body Lift Procedures

A body lift is a highly customizable surgery that includes body contouring procedures tailored to the areas of your body that need the most reshaping.
Common body lift options include:

Tummy Tuck or Extended Tummy Tuck

A standard tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, focuses on tightening your abdomen by removing excess skin and repairing stretched or separated abdominal muscles. An extended tummy tuck goes beyond the abdomen to also address skin laxity around your flanks and lower back.

Arm Lift

Known as brachioplasty, an arm lift targets sagging skin on your upper arms, sometimes referred to as “bat wings.” This procedure reshapes and tones your arms, giving them a more slender and athletic appearance.

Thigh Lift

A thigh lift tightens and firms loose skin on your inner or outer thighs, improving their shape and eliminating chafing caused by excess skin.

Liposuction

Liposuction removes additional stubborn fat deposits to refine your overall contour and create smoother results.

Lower Body Lift

Focuses on lifting and contouring your abdomen, hips, thighs, and buttocks. This procedure is particularly effective after massive weight loss.

Circumferential Body Lift

Known as a belt lipectomy, this is a more extensive version of the lower body lift that involves an incision around your waistline, allowing for 360-degree contouring of your midsection, buttocks, and thighs.
Women might also consider breast lift surgery, or a breast lift with implants, to restore shape and volume to sagging breasts after weight loss.
Because no two weight loss transformations are the same, your surgeon will recommend the combination of procedures that best addresses your loose skin, body shape, and personal goals.

How a Body Lift Is Performed

A body lift is performed under general anesthesia, and we ask patients to plan for an overnight hospital stay. Because the surgeons at CPS tailor your surgery to align with your needs and goals, no two procedures are exactly the same.
In general, you can expect your body lift surgery to proceed as follows:
Your surgeon will begin your body lift by carefully placing incisions in areas that can typically be hidden by clothing or your natural contours. Once the incisions are made, loose, sagging skin is removed, and liposuction may be performed to further refine your silhouette. The underlying tissues are then tightened and secured to create a firmer, smoother shape. Then, the skin is re-draped over your improved body contours and sutured into position, giving you a more sculpted yet natural appearance. Finally, the incisions are closed, and sterile dressings are applied.
The length of your body lift surgery depends on the number of areas being addressed, but it typically takes several hours.
After surgery, you will be monitored closely as you wake from anesthesia. Your care team will review your immediate recovery instructions, including how to move safely, how to care for your incisions, and what to expect during the first stage of healing.

Body Lift Recovery & Aftercare

Recovery after a body lift is a gradual process, and being properly prepared can make it smoother, more comfortable, and complication-free.

Body Lift Recovery Timeline

After your surgery, it is normal to experience swelling, bruising, and tightness in the treated areas, but any pain or discomfort you may experience is easily managed with prescription or over-the-counter medications. Depending on the procedures included in your body lift, you may also have small surgical drains placed to prevent fluid accumulation.
Prioritize rest, though you should take slow, short walks around the house to encourage blood flow and prevent blood clots.
Your surgeon will provide you with detailed instructions tailored to your specific surgery. These may include:
  • How to care for your incisions
  • When and how to empty surgical drains, if placed
  • Restrictions on activity, including lifting, bending, or exercising
  • Guidelines for resuming your regular activities
Following these directions closely reduces the likelihood of complications, supports healing, and ensures the best possible results from your body lift.
You will be required to wear compression garments during your body lift recovery. These specially designed, form-fitting garments play a crucial role in the healing process after body contouring surgery by helping to minimize swelling and bruising, supporting your healing tissues and incision sites, and enhancing your circulation to reduce the risk of blood clots.
They also help your skin “bounce back” and smoothly contour to your body’s new shape for more refined results. Typically, compression garments are worn around the clock for several weeks, with the time worn gradually reduced as healing progresses.
Week 1
  • Expect swelling, bruising, and soreness
  • Surgical drains may be in place to remove excess fluid
  • You will likely need help moving around and completing daily tasks
  • Short, gentle walks are encouraged to support circulation
Weeks 2–3
  • Swelling begins to subside
  • Gentle movement is recommended to encourage circulation, but strenuous activity should be avoided
  • You should continue following lifting, bending, and activity restrictions
Weeks 4–6
  • You may be able to return to work, depending on the level of activity required at your job
  • Compression garments will still be worn, and swelling continues to improve
  • Your surgeon will let you know when it is safe to increase daily activity
Months 2–3
  • You will gradually return to normal activity levels
  • You may resume exercising, as long as you are cleared by your surgeon to do so
  • Incision scars begin to flatten and fade
Months 4–6
  • Most swelling resolves, and your new contours become more defined
  • Incision scars mature and continue to lighten
1 Year and Beyond
  • Your final body lift results are visible, with firmer, smoother contours and scars that blend more naturally with your skin tone

What Results Can I Expect From a Body Lift?

A body lift can create a smoother, firmer, more contoured appearance by removing loose, sagging skin and tightening the underlying tissue. For many patients, the result is a body shape that better reflects the weight loss and lifestyle changes they have already achieved.
Your results will depend on the amount of excess skin removed, the procedures included in your surgical plan, your skin quality, and how closely you follow your recovery instructions.
Maintaining a stable weight after surgery is one of the most important ways to preserve your body lift results. Significant weight gain or loss after surgery may affect your contours and could lead to additional loose skin.

Body Lift FAQs

Will insurance cover my body lift?

In most cases, insurance does not cover body lift surgery because it is considered a cosmetic procedure. However, some exceptions may exist.
If excess skin is causing medical issues such as chronic rashes, infections, or mobility problems, certain insurance plans may provide partial coverage for your surgery. As every insurance provider and policy is different, it’s essential that you check with your provider to understand your coverage options before scheduling your appointment.
CPS also offers financing through CareCredit® to help make body lift surgery more accessible.

It is typically recommended that you maintain a stable weight for at least six months after achieving your weight-loss goal before undergoing body lift surgery. This helps ensure long-lasting results and lowers the risk of complications.

Gaining or losing a significant amount of weight after your body lift may compromise your results, leading to additional loose skin that may require revision surgery.

A body lift is not a weight-loss surgery. Instead, it is a body contouring procedure designed to remove excess skin and improve your body’s shape after weight loss.
While you may lose several pounds due to the removal of skin and fat deposits, this amount is typically small. A body lift should be viewed as a way to put the finishing touches on your body after significant weight loss, so you can fully enjoy the results of your hard work.
Although body contouring surgery will create scars, our surgeons take care to place the scars where they are least conspicuous or can be hidden by clothing. If treated correctly, the scars will fade.
Most of our body lift surgery patients in the Washington, D.C., area find that a bit of scarring is a small price to pay for tighter skin and a better body shape.
A body lift is considered safe when performed by a plastic surgeon in an accredited surgical facility. However, like any major surgery, it carries certain risks.
Body lift complications may include:
  • Infection
  • Bleeding
  • Poor wound healing
  • Blood clots
  • Fluid buildup, or seroma
  • Unsatisfactory scarring
  • Temporary changes in skin sensation

Following your surgeon’s instructions is key to minimizing risks. If you have concerns during your recovery, please contact Center for Plastic Surgery to speak with one of our medical staff.

Body lift options may include a tummy tuck, extended tummy tuck, arm lift, thigh lift, liposuction, lower body lift, or circumferential body lift. Women may also consider breast lift surgery or a breast lift with implants to restore breast shape and volume after weight loss.
The length of your body lift surgery depends on the number of areas being addressed, but it typically takes several hours.
Typically, compression garments are worn around the clock for several weeks, with the time worn gradually reduced as healing progresses. Your surgeon will provide specific instructions based on your procedure and healing progress.

Schedule Your Body Lift Consultation in Washington, D.C., Today

When considering a body lift after massive weight loss, several options are available, including which plastic surgery procedures are needed to achieve optimal results. At Center for Plastic Surgery, you’ll work together with one of our skilled surgeons to create a surgical plan that best suits your needs to create the slimmer, more sculpted contour you desire.
To schedule your body lift consultation, call our office today at (703) 560-2850 for Tysons Corner or (301) 652-7700 for Chevy Chase, or complete the online contact form.