Is a Body Lift After Weight Loss Covered by Insurance? Plus 5 Other Questions You Have About Post-Weight Loss Plastic Surgery Is a Body Lift After Weight Loss Covered by Insurance? Plus 5 Other Questions You Have About Post-Weight Loss Plastic Surgery | La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre in San Diego, CA

Losing a significant amount of weight but hanging onto excess skin may leave you wondering is a body lift after weight loss covered by insurance? Though heavy, excess skin left behind after weight loss may be considered a medical condition due to discomfort and increased risk for skin conditions, most insurance providers do not cover body lift surgery.

If you’ve been considering a body lift (also referred to as post-weight loss plastic surgery) to achieve balanced contours and comfort, read on for answers to some of the most frequently asked questions we receive here at LJC.

A real LJC patient shows off their dramatic results after a body lift. See more body lift before and after photos »

1. How much does body lift surgery cost in San Diego?

A body lift in San Diego typically costs between $20,000 to $25,000. It’s important to understand that the final cost of your post-weight loss surgery can vary greatly depending on how much skin needs to be removed, what areas are being lifted, and how many procedures you need.

Procedure	Fee Range
Body Lift	$20,000–$25,000

There are a few different types of lifting procedures that weight loss patients typically benefit from, depending on where they have sagging skin. The cost of an arm lift typically ranges between $13,500 to $16,000 and the thigh lift is typically $14,500 to $24,000. The breast lift cost at our San Diego practice ranges from $10,500 to $12,500.

The best way to get a more specific understanding of how much your post-weight loss skin lifting procedures will cost is to schedule a complimentary consultation with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons. After they’ve listened to your concerns and you’ve worked out a plan together, we’ll prepare a detailed fee quote.

2. Is a body lift after weight loss covered by insurance?

Though heavy, excess skin left behind after weight loss can be considered a medical condition due to discomfort and increased risk for skin conditions, most insurance providers do not cover body lift surgery.

That being said, some insurance carriers do offer partial coverage of body lift expenses if you meet certain criteria. Below are examples of criteria cited by insurance companies:

You lost at least 100 pounds.
You have held a stable weight for at least six months.
You had bariatric surgery, and it was performed at least one year ago.
You have documented skin disorders resulting directly from excess skin.
Your primary physician has recommended a body lifting procedure.

Typically, breast reduction and panniculectomy (removal of “skin apron” on lower abdomen) are the most likely to be covered by insurance. However, these procedures may still be deemed unnecessary or may not provide all of the lifting required to achieve optimal results.

If insurance won’t help you cover the cost of your procedure, there are options for fitting procedures into your budget. There are a number of reputable, third-party plastic surgery financing companies that can help you make comfortable monthly payments.

3. How much weight do I need to lose before a body lift?

Before surgery, you should be at or near a stable, healthy body weight. If you intend to lose more weight and have your surgery too soon, it can impact your results, leaving you with more skin. Additionally, risks associated with having surgery of any kind are greatly increased if you are carrying too much excess weight.

4. What is recovery like after a lower body lift?

Body lift surgery typically requires a substantial recovery window because of the amount of skin removal and lifting required. While every patient varies, here’s an overview of what to expect:

Immediately after surgery:

You’ll likely be with an aftercare nurse for a day or two for expert, round-the-clock care. The nurse can stay with you at your home, or you may choose to go to an aftercare facility that caters to post-op patients.
Due to special health issues, a small fraction of patients may need to spend a few days in the hospital immediately after surgery.

1 to 4 weeks post-op:

You’ll have drains to make sure there is no fluid buildup around your incisions
Wearing compression garments keeps you comfortable, minimizes swelling, and protects your incisions.
You will need dedicated help around the house to prioritize your rest—overexertion can strain your incisions and cause pain.
Brief periods of walking are recommended to ensure proper circulation, though much of your time will be spent lying down with your favorite book or Netflix show.
Prescribed pain medications help keep you comfortable during your first few weeks of recovery. Depending on your healing progress, stitches may be removed around two weeks after surgery, though lower body lift incisions can take four weeks or longer to fully heal.

4 to 8 weeks post-op:

Your drains have likely been removed, and moving around is easier.
You’re able to return to nonstrenuous work.
You’ll need to continue to refrain from exercise until you get the green light from your surgeon.
You can slowly start resuming daily activities (light housework, driving, etc.) at around 4 to 6 weeks. It’s critical that you continue to follow your surgeon’s instructions for optimal healing and results.

3 months post-op and beyond:

The majority of the swelling has subsided (smaller areas of swelling may persist for several months).
Scars continue to fade over time.
Final results are typically visible within 12 to 18 months.

5. How long does swelling last after a body lift?

While you’ll start to see swelling going down after a few weeks (compression garments and your drains will help), it’s normal for some swelling to last for a few months before your final results begin to take shape.

We urge you to avoid supplements or products to reduce swelling unless your surgeon has specifically recommended them.

6. What will my scars look like after body lift surgery?

Body lift incisions can be quite long to achieve dramatic lifting. That being said, the appearance of the scars will fade over the course of about a year, and when possible, incisions are placed where they can be hidden by clothing.

Typically, our body lift surgery patients are so thrilled with their results that the light scars are a small price to pay. In fact, a study published in 2020 found that body contouring surgery after massive weight loss notably improves patients’ lives. We talk more about the health and emotional benefits of achieving your goal weight and following it up with post-weight loss surgery in our related blog post.

It’s important to follow your surgeon’s aftercare instructions “to the T” to help your scars heal as nicely as possible and fade over time.