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Augusta · Evans · Columbia County
The last step of the journey

Body Lift Surgery
in Augusta, GA

★★★★★ 5.0 594 Google reviews

After major weight loss, a body lift removes the loose, hanging skin that’s left behind — performed by Dr. Karen Szymanski and Dr. Troy Austin, our double board-certified plastic surgeons. Honest guidance on the types, the scar, the cost, and insurance.

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Lower, upper, or 360°?
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Body Lift

You did the work. This finishes it.

Dr. Troy Austin, MD, board-certified plastic surgeon in Augusta, GA

Medically reviewed by Dr. Troy Austin, MD — double board-certified plastic surgeon ◆ Updated July 2026

A body lift is surgery that removes excess, sagging skin and fat from around the torso — the abdomen, waist, hips, buttocks, and outer thighs — in a single, circumferential procedure. It’s the signature operation after major weight loss, whether from bariatric surgery or a GLP-1 medication, when diet and exercise have done their part and only loose skin remains. At Southeastern Aesthetic Surgery in Augusta, GA, Dr. Karen Szymanski, our preferred surgeon for body lifts, performs it under general anesthesia in our accredited surgery center. Dr. Troy Austin performs body lifts as well.

Understand the types

Board certified

1 x

Dr. Austin is certified by both the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery — and completed his fellowship at the Medical College of Georgia, right here in Augusta.

Hours, typical

4- 5

A major procedure performed under general anesthesia in our own accredited on-site surgery center — the length depends on how much is treated.

Starting price

$ 1

We publish a real starting number and give you an exact, all-in quote at consultation. Financing available.

Austin
Dr. Troy Austin, board-certified plastic surgeon and supervising physician at 7 Seas Medical Spa in Augusta, GA
Dr. Troy Austin Double board-certified
Your surgeon

The surgeon for the final chapter.

A body lift is one of the most demanding operations in plastic surgery — it deserves a surgeon who does it well and stays with you through a real recovery. With Southeastern Aesthetic Surgery, the surgeon who plans your body lift is the surgeon who performs it, every time. An Augusta native, he trained at the Medical College of Georgia and understands the weight-loss journey that brings most patients to this point.

He is double board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery, and completed his general surgery residency at the Ochsner Clinic Foundation in New Orleans — a background that matters for a procedure of this scope.

By the time someone reaches me for a body lift, they've already done the hardest part. My job is to give them a result that finally matches the work they put in. Dr. Troy Austin
Read his full bio

Credentials & affiliations

  • American Board of Plastic Surgery & American Board of Surgery
  • Fellowship — Medical College of Georgia
  • Member, ASAPS · ASPS · Georgia Society of Plastic Surgeons
Is it right for you?

You lost the weight. The skin stayed.

Massive weight loss — from bariatric surgery or today’s GLP-1 medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide — leaves behind loose, heavy folds of skin that no amount of exercise can tighten, and that can cause rashes, chafing, and real discomfort. A body lift is the reliable answer. The key is timing: you’ll get the best, most lasting result once your weight has been stable for several months. Dr. Austin will tell you honestly whether you’re ready now or whether it’s worth waiting a little longer.

See the types of body lift
Compare the types

Lower, upper, or 360°?

“Body lift” covers a few different procedures. Which one you need depends on where your loose skin is.

Lower Body Lift (Belt Lipectomy)Upper Body Lift360° / Total Body Lift
Areas addressedAbdomen, waist, hips, buttocks & outer thighsBra-line back rolls & upper chestUpper and lower combined, all the way around
Also calledCircumferential / 360° lower body liftBra-line back liftTotal body lift
Best forSagging across the lower torso after weight lossRolls across the upper back and chestExtensive, full-torso excess skin
ScarA low belt-line around the waistAcross the upper back at the bra lineBoth, usually done in stages
Usually staged?Done in one stageDone in one stageYes — planned across separate surgeries
The procedure

How a body lift actually works.

A lower body lift is essentially a tummy tuck carried all the way around the body — which is why it’s both transformative and a serious operation that deserves a careful plan.

Anesthesia & time

It’s performed under general anesthesia, typically over four to seven hours depending on how much skin is removed. All patients return home the same day after surgery.

The incision

For a lower body lift, the incision runs low around the waist like a belt — positioned so it sits below the underwear and swimwear line. Excess skin and fat are removed, the abdomen is tightened, and the buttocks and outer thighs are lifted in the same pass.

Lift, tighten & contour

As the loose skin is removed, the remaining tissue is re-draped and secured to restore a smoother, firmer contour. Liposuction is often combined to refine the result.

One stage or several

An extensive, full-body result is usually planned across more than one operation for safety — Dr. Austin will map a sequence that treats your priorities first and keeps each surgery a sensible length.

Part of a plan. A body lift often pairs with an arm lift, thigh lift, or breast procedure as part of a staged total body-contouring plan after weight loss.

Honest Answers

The scar — an honest look.

A body lift makes a dramatic difference — and it does leave a significant scar. The trade is real: loose, heavy skin for a low, circumferential scar that’s permanent. For nearly everyone who’s lived with hanging skin, it’s a trade well worth making, and Dr. Austin places that scar where clothing hides it.

Where it sits

For a lower body lift, the scar runs low around the waist — positioned to stay beneath underwear and most swimwear. An upper body lift’s scar sits across the upper back at the bra line, where a band covers it.

How it heals, over time

  • First 6 weeks: the line is firm and pink or red — normal and expected.
  • 3 to 6 months: it begins to flatten and soften as it matures.
  • 6 to 12 months: it continues to fade toward a paler, flatter line.
  • By 12–18 months: the scar reaches its final, settled appearance.

Because a body-lift scar is longer than most, careful tension-free closure and diligent scar care — silicone, sun protection, and time — matter even more. Dr. Austin guides you through all of it.

Anyone promising a body lift with no meaningful scar isn’t being honest — the result comes from removing skin, and removing skin leaves a line. What an experienced surgeon controls is where it sits and how well it heals.

A trade worth making.

For most patients, a hidden scar in exchange for firm, comfortable skin is an easy decision after years of the alternative.

Investment

How much does a body lift cost in Augusta?

In the Augusta area, a body lift typically ranges from $14,000 to $32,000 depending on the type — lower, upper, or a staged 360° total — and how much skin is removed. Your exact, all-in price is confirmed in writing at your consultation.

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Lower body lift (belt lipectomy) $13,500+
Upper body lift (bra-line) $9,500 – $14,000
360° / total body lift (staged) $22,000 – $32,000
Consultation with Dr. Austin $100
Every quote is individualized. Your exact price is confirmed in writing after your consultation, once Dr. Austin has assessed your skin, your goals, and whether the work is best done in one stage or several.

A note on insurance

  • Documented rashes or skin infections
  • Chronic irritation under an overhanging apron of skin
  • Hygiene difficulties from excess lower-abdominal skin

A cosmetic body lift isn’t covered by insurance, but a panniculectomy — removing the overhanging apron of lower-abdominal skin (the pannus) — may be covered when it causes documented medical problems like those above. We’ll help you understand where you stand. Financing is available through Cherry, CareCredit, PatientFi, and Alle Financing.

Candidacy & recovery

Timing it right, healing it well.

Are you a candidate?

Good candidates have lost a significant amount of weight, are in good general health, don’t smoke, and — most importantly — have held a stable weight for several months. Nutrition matters too: after major weight loss, Dr. Austin will make sure your body is well-nourished and ready to heal such a large procedure.

Timing after weight loss or GLP-1

If your weight loss came from bariatric surgery, a body lift is typically best around 12 to 18 months afterward, once your weight has plateaued. If you’ve lost weight on a GLP-1 medication, the same principle applies — reach and hold your goal weight first, so the result lasts and isn’t loosened by further loss.

Recovery, honestly

  • Week 1: the hardest stretch — rest, limited movement, drains, and a compression garment.
  • Weeks 2–3: drains typically come out; you’re up and walking but still taking it easy.
  • Weeks 3–4: many return to desk work; no lifting or strain.
  • Weeks 6–8: most return to full activity and exercise as cleared; swelling keeps settling for months.

Results are long-lasting for patients who maintain a stable, healthy weight. This is major surgery — and for most, life-changing.

Plan for support. Because recovery is real, we help you plan help at home and, for out-of-town patients, a comfortable local stay for the first stretch.

Good to know

Body lift Questions.

What is a body lift?

A body lift is surgery that removes excess, sagging skin and fat from around the torso — the abdomen, waist, hips, buttocks, and outer thighs — in a single circumferential procedure. It’s the signature operation after major weight loss, when only loose skin remains. It’s performed under general anesthesia, usually over four to seven hours.

A lower body lift (belt lipectomy) addresses the abdomen, waist, hips, buttocks, and outer thighs, all the way around — that’s the “360°” or circumferential lower body lift. An upper body lift addresses bra-line back rolls and the upper chest. A total body lift combines upper and lower, usually planned in stages for safety.

It’s essentially a tummy tuck carried all the way around the body. Through a low, belt-like incision around the waist, excess skin and fat are removed while the abdomen is tightened and the buttocks and outer thighs are lifted — restoring a smoother contour across the entire lower torso.

In the Augusta area a body lift typically ranges from about $14,000 to $32,000 depending on the type — lower, upper, or a staged 360° total — and how much skin is removed. Your written quote is confirmed at consultation, and financing is available through Cherry, CareCredit, PatientFi, and Alle Financing.

In the Augusta area a body lift typically ranges from about $14,000 to $32,000 depending on the type — lower, upper, or a staged 360° total — and how much skin is removed. Your written quote is confirmed at consultation, and financing is available through Cherry, CareCredit, PatientFi, and Alle Financing.

A cosmetic body lift isn’t covered. However, a panniculectomy — removing the overhanging apron of lower-abdominal skin (the pannus) — may be covered when it causes documented medical problems such as recurring rashes, skin infections, or hygiene difficulties. We can help you understand where your situation may fall.

Yes — a body lift removes skin, so it leaves a scar. For a lower body lift it runs low around the waist, positioned to stay beneath underwear and most swimwear; an upper body lift’s scar sits across the upper back at the bra line. It’s permanent but placed to be hidden, and it fades over 12 to 18 months.

This is major surgery with a real recovery. The first week is the hardest, with drains and a compression garment; drains usually come out within two to three weeks; many return to desk work by three to four weeks; and most resume full activity by six to eight weeks as cleared. Swelling continues to settle for months.

Timing is everything. After bariatric surgery, a body lift is typically best around 12 to 18 months later, once your weight has plateaued. If you’ve lost weight on a GLP-1 medication, reach and hold your goal weight first. A stable weight for several months gives the most durable result.

A lower or upper body lift is usually one stage. An extensive, full-body (total) result is typically planned across more than one operation for safety, so each surgery stays a sensible length. Dr. Austin will map a sequence that addresses your priorities first.

Absolutely. Many post-weight-loss patients travel in from across Georgia, the Carolinas, and beyond. Start with a virtual consultation so your plan and timing are set before you arrive, and because recovery is real, plan to stay in the Augusta area for about 10 to 14 days. Augusta Regional Airport is about 20 minutes away.

Service area

Serving Augusta and the wider CSRA.

Our practice sits just off River Watch Parkway in Augusta, minutes from Evans and Martinez and a straight shot from I-20. Patients come to us from across Columbia and Richmond counties and from across the Savannah River in South Carolina.

Prefer to start from home? Virtual consultations are available, a convenient first step before you travel to Augusta.

See directions & drive times
Augusta
Evans
Martinez
Grovetown
Columbia County
Hephzibah
Harlem
Appling
North Augusta, SC
Aiken, SC
Thomson
Waynesboro

Traveling to Augusta for a body lift?

Many post-weight-loss patients travel in — from Atlanta, Columbia, Savannah, Charlotte and beyond — to have this done by one trusted surgeon. Augusta Regional Airport (AGS) is roughly 20 minutes from our surgery center, with several hotels within a short drive.

Start with a virtual consultation — share your history and a few photos, and Dr. Austin will outline your plan and timing before you travel. Because a body lift needs a real recovery, plan to stay in the Augusta area for about 10–14 days after surgery. Our team helps coordinate scheduling, lodging, and remote aftercare.

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Patient experiences

What our patients say.

5.0 Based on 594 Google reviews
Ratings and reviews from Google Maps

From my initial consultation through my procedure, my experience was nothing short of exceptional. Every step of the process was informative, professional, and reassuring. Dr. Austin and his entire staff were incredibly patient, attentive, and always willing to answer any questions I had. The level of customer service and hospitality exceeded my expectations. Everyone made me feel comfortable, valued, and confident in my decision throughout the entire journey. Dr. Austin’s expertise, compassion, and dedication to his patients are truly remarkable. I feel extremely blessed to have had Dr. Austin as my surgeon and would highly recommend him and his facility to anyone considering a procedure. Thank you for providing such outstanding care and an amazing experience.

I had an amazing experience with Dr. Austin and the entire staff during my implants exchange procedure. From the very beginning, everyone made me feel safe, comfortable, and truly cared for. Dr. Austin was professional, knowledgeable, and took the time to answer all of my questions, which gave me so much confidence throughout the process. The staff was kind, supportive, and welcoming every step of the way. I’m very grateful for the excellent care I received and highly recommend Dr. Austin and his team!.

I cannot say enough good things about Dr. Austin and his team!!! From the time you walk in until the time you leave they make you feel like the only patient in the building. Dr. Austin is truly wonderful. Before surgery my consult was very thorough and he answered every question I had. The medical staff and Dr. Austin made surgery day and recovery a breeze. The surgery center is immaculate with wonderful pre and post op staff which was important to me as a nurse myself. Having my surgery with Dr. Austin and his team was the best decision I ever made. Book that consultation and surgery!!! You will NOT regret it. I have never been happier with my body and my confidence is back!

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Visit us

In Augusta — and worth the drive.

Our surgery center sits just off River Watch Parkway, an easy drive from Evans, Martinez, Grovetown, and Columbia County, plus North Augusta and Aiken across the river. Many patients travel from across Georgia and the Southeast; Augusta Regional Airport (AGS) is close by, and our team helps out-of-town patients coordinate every visit.

Southeastern Aesthetic Surgery

225 Cooper Ct
Augusta, GA 30907
(706) 854-2080
Mon–Thu 8:30am – 5:00pm · Fri 8:30am – 2:00pm

Approx. drive times

  • Martinez, GA 7 min
  • Evans, GA 11 min
  • Downtown Augusta, GA 17 min
  • North Augusta, SC 17 min
  • Grovetown, GA 22 min
  • Aiken, SC 38 min
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You did the hard part. Let's finish it together.

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★★★★★ 5.0 594 Google reviews