Body Lift is a term which incorporates several different surgical approaches to recontouring the area around the waist. The Body Lift is performed as an in-patient procedure. Patients may experience temporary swelling, soreness, bruising or numbness. Potential complications include blood clots to the lungs, asymmetry, bleeding, infection, fluid retention, excessive scarring or necrosis of the skin around the belly button. Patients generally return to work and to strenuous activity within a month to six weeks. Scars fade within three months to two years. Results vary by age and weight, but are usually dramatic.