What is a Full Body Lift?
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A full body lift is a plastic surgery that removes excess skin and reshapes multiple body areas. A body lift procedure is a comprehensive surgical option for individuals who have experienced significant weight loss or massive weight loss, focusing on removing excess skin and improving overall body shape. It is especially common for patients who lose 40–70 kg (90–150 lbs) after bariatric surgery or dieting. The procedure can tighten the abdomen, thighs (including the outer thighs), arms, back, buttocks, and sometimes the arms in one operation, depending on patient needs.
Candidates for a body lift often have significant skin laxity due to changes in skin elasticity and skin quality after weight loss. The surgery involves removing excess skin, removing stubborn fat deposits, and tightening underlying tissues to create a new body shape.
💡People choose a full body lift in Turkey because it combines lower prices with world-class surgeons and full medical tourism packages.
Why Do People Choose a Body Lift?
Loose skin after weight loss is not only cosmetic — it can affect health and quality of life.
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✅ Full body lift after weight loss. After losing more than 30–40 kg, skin often cannot shrink back naturally.
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✅ Comfort & hygiene. Large folds cause sweating, irritation, fungal infections, and bad odor.
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✅ Clothing fit. Clothes feel uncomfortable, and patients often need special sizes.
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✅ Mobility. Sagging skin can make running, bending, and exercising harder.
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✅ Confidence. Patients want their body shape to match their weight loss efforts.
👉A 2024 study of 227 post-bariatric patients found that those who had body-contouring surgery, including full body lifts, had lower anxiety (4% vs. 6%) and depression (6% vs. 8%) rates and reported better emotional well-being and quality of life than those who did not.
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Who Is the Right Candidate?
✅ You are a good candidate for full body lift surgery Turkey if:
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You have lost more than 30–40 kg and your weight is stable for 6+ months.
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Your Body Mass Index (BMI) is below 30 (for safe anesthesia).
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You are in good general health with no uncontrolled conditions.
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You are a non-smoker, or quit 4 weeks before surgery.
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You understand that scars remain but fade with time.
Main Types of Body Lifts in Turkish Clinics
Body lifts are tailored procedures designed to address specific areas of the body where sagging skin and loss of body contours are most prominent.
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Upper body lift. Arms, back, chest – ideal after weight loss or aging.
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Mid body lift. Abdomen, waist, lower back – smooths and tightens the midsection.
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Lower body lift. Buttocks, thighs, hips – lifts and reshapes the lower body.
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Full body lift. Combines all areas for a complete transformation.
💡The right type depends on your goals and skin condition. A surgeon’s consultation helps plan the best approach.
How Does Full Body Lift Surgery Work?
A 360 body lift surgery addresses several body zones in one operation. It is usually done under general anesthesia. Multiple lifting procedures may be performed during a full body lift, either simultaneously or separately, to optimize safety and recovery.
Main stages of surgery:
1️⃣ Pre-surgery consultation, blood tests, and body mapping.
2️⃣ General anesthesia.
3️⃣ Surgical removal of 2–10 kg of excess skin and fat (depending on patient).
4️⃣ Tightening of muscles and skin for natural proportions; this step tightens abdominal muscles, similar to a tummy tuck.
5️⃣ Closing incisions with dissolvable stitches.
6️⃣ Placement of drains for 2–3 days to prevent fluid buildup.
Patients can often see changes in their body shape immediately after surgery, even as swelling subsides and final results develop.
Key facts:
Body-contouring surgery involves several stages, from the procedure itself to recovery and follow-ups.
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Surgery duration: about 6–8 hours.
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Hospital stay: usually 2–3 nights.
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Hotel stay: 5–7 nights for follow-up appointments before traveling home.
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Recovery: light activity after 2 weeks, full activity in 6–8 weeks. Wearing compression garments is important to reduce swelling and support recovery.
Why Turkey Is a Top Choice for Body Contouring
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Turkey combines expert surgeons, modern clinics, and affordable prices for full-body sculptin. In the second quarter of 2025, 733,798 patients visited Turkey for healthcare, bringing in almost $1.4 billion. In 2024, Turkey earned around $3 billion from 1.5 million patients.
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Affordable prices. Save up to 70% compared to Western countries.
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Experienced surgeons. Many are members of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS) and trained in Europe or the United States.
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Accredited hospitals. Clinics in Istanbul, Antalya, and Izmir meet Joint Commission International (JCI) or International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards.
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Tourism-friendly packages. Airport transfers, English-speaking coordinators, and recovery hotels included.
💡 The full body lift cost in Turkey is cheaper because surgeons’ fees and clinic operating costs are lower than in many Western countries, and living expenses such as accommodation and food are more affordable, while the quality of care remains high.
Before & After: What Changes Can You Expect?
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Before: patients often report 3–6 kg of excess skin, painful rashes, and difficulty exercising.
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After: clothes fit better, the body has a more toned appearance, and skin problems disappear.
👉 Full body lift surgery before and after galleries in Turkish clinics often show waist reductions of 10–20 cm and dramatic contouring results.
Step-by-Step Healing Journey After Full Body Contouring in Turkey
Recovery is a gradual process:
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📅 Days 1–3 – Hospital monitoring. Drains are removed after ~48 hours.
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📅 Week 1 – Walking slowly to avoid blood clots. Pain and swelling peak.
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📅 Week 2 – Most patients can fly home. Compression garment must be worn 24/7.
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📅 Weeks 3–4 – Bruising decreases, stitches dissolve, and light activities are possible.
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📅 Weeks 6–8 – Return to work, driving, and gym (without heavy lifting).
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📅 Months 3–6 – Final results appear, scars begin to fade.
💡While full body lift results are long-lasting, a body lift is not completely permanent. Factors such as aging, weight fluctuations, and lifestyle changes can affect the outcome over time. Maintaining a healthy diet is essential to help preserve your results and support a toned appearance after surgery.
Full Body Lift Cost in Turkey vs. Abroad
Patients often ask: How much does a full body lift cost in Turkey?
📌 The cost of a full body lift can vary depending on several factors:
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Number of zones treated (e.g., abdomen, thighs, arms, buttocks).
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Surgeon’s reputation and the clinic’s location.
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Duration of hospital stay, typically 2–4 nights.
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Additional procedures like liposuction, Brazilian butt lift (BBL), or breast lift.
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Package type, whether it's a standard or luxury option.
What’s Inside a Full Body Lift Package?
Most international patients choose all-inclusive packages. These are cheaper and more convenient than booking everything separately.
✅ Included in most packages |
❌ Not always included / Must confirm |
Full body lift surgery (surgeon, hospital, anesthesia). |
Additional procedures (liposuction, breast lift, Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL)). |
Pre-op tests & general anesthesia. |
Extra hospital nights beyond package. |
2–3 nights hospital stay. |
Luxury hotel upgrades. |
5–7 nights hotel stay ⭐. |
Second companion accommodation. |
Airport-hotel-clinic transfers. |
Flight tickets. |
Airport-hotel-clinic transfers. |
Scar treatment (laser, creams). |
Compression garment & medications. |
Long-term check-ups in home country. |
Follow-up consultations. |
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Interpreter & medical coordinator. |
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💡 What to confirm with your clinic:
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Is liposuction included, or charged separately?
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How many hotel nights are covered?
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Are flights and meals included?
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What happens if complications require a longer stay?
Safety, Risks & How to Stay Protected
Before undergoing a comprehensive body reshaping procedure, it’s important to understand the safety aspects and possible risks. While results are often excellent, knowing how to protect yourself can make recovery smoother and safer.
👉In a case study, among 32 patients with moderate to severe skin laxity, the comprehensive lower body lift produced excellent results, with every patient expressing high satisfaction.
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⚠️Like all major surgeries, a full body lift carries risks:
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🔸 Common side effects. Swelling, bruising, numbness (first 2–4 weeks).
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🔸 Less common complications. Infection (2–3%), seroma (fluid buildup, 5%), delayed wound healing (higher risk in smokers).
How to reduce risks:
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Choose an accredited Turkish clinic with Joint Commission International (JCI) or ISO certification.
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Follow post-op instructions strictly.
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Wear compression garments for at least 6 weeks.
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Avoid smoking and alcohol.
What to Know Before Traveling
When planning full body lift in Turkey, there are a few key things to keep in mind to ensure a smooth and successful experience.
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Visa. Most nationalities can obtain an e-visa online for stays of up to 90 days. Be sure to check your eligibility before booking your trip.
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Health clearance. If you have any pre-existing medical conditions, it’s important to get surgical clearance from your doctor before traveling for the procedure.
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Stay. Patients typically need to stay in Turkey for 7–10 days to recover, attend follow-up visits, and ensure everything is healing well.
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Currency. The Turkish Lira (TRY) is the local currency, but USD, EUR, and GBP are widely accepted in most clinics. It’s a good idea to have some Turkish Lira on hand for small expenses.
💚 Reading reviews from real patients who’ve had a full body lift in Turkey can help set expectations and guide you to a trusted clinic.
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References
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Impact of Body-contouring Surgery Post Bariatric Surgery on Patient Well-being, Quality of Life, and Body Image: Saudi Arabia-based Cross-sectional Study / O. F. Neel et al. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery - Global Open. 2024. Vol. 12, no. 3. P. e5666. URL: https://doi.org/10.1097/gox.0000000000005666 (date of access: 21.08.2025).
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Areas of Activity - USHAŞ. USHAŞ. URL: https://www.ushas.com.tr/en/faaliyet-alanlari/ (date of access: 21.08.2025).
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The Fourth-Generation Lower Body Lift: Combining Techniques and Technologies for Improved Outcomes in High-Demand Female Patients / S. Danilla et al. Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. 2025. URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-025-04877-x (date of access: 21.08.2025).