The ultimate guide to Body Lift in Thailand

Last fact-checked: 13 August 2020

Discover an experienced, English-speaking surgeon that’s right for your body lift in Thailand, with the help of Medical Departures. As the world’s leading medical tourism destination, the Land of Smiles offers a wide range of clinical options and a service culture that is second-to-none.

Since opening its doors to international patients in the 1990s, Thailand has attracted millions of medical tourists from around the world, drawn here by the county’s proven reputation of excellence, expertise and value-for-money prices.

From the mesmerizing capital of Bangkok and the unparalleled beaches in Phuket to the tranquility of Chiang Mai, Thailand is an ideal destination to visit for affordable cosmetic surgery.

Am I Suitable for a Body Lift in Thailand?

Comprising multiple procedures, a body lift is major surgery; thus, it’s essential you’re in good health and have reasonable expectations as to the outcome. A body lift is tailor-made for each individual, correcting sagging, loose skin that has lost elasticity after pregnancy, weight loss, sun damage or genetics.

Although a body lift can help improve the appearance of dimpled skin and cellulite, it does not remove fat; if this is your goal, you may need to consider other options, such as liposuction. 

A body lift can improve these areas:

• Abdomen, tummy (including the sides and lower back)

• Thighs

• Buttocks

• Groin

Why Have a Body Lift in Thailand?

Thailand is the pioneer of modern medical tourism. After the Asian Financial Crisis in the late 1990s, hospitals such as the Bumrungrad International in Bangkok began to attract foreign patients with the lure of internationally-accredited status couples with prices 50-70% lower than at home. It is estimated by the International Medical Travel Journal that Thailand receives over two million medical tourists a year. It is a buoyant market, popular not only because of the high standards of medical care and the cost but also because once discharged, patients can recuperate in luxurious five-star hotels at very reasonable prices.

Top-class facilities exist not just in Bangkok, but throughout the country, as high-quality international hospitals are also located in popular holiday spots, including Chiang Mai and Phuket, which gives patients a choice of locations for their post-surgery recuperation. The recovery time for a body lift takes some weeks, so patients may as well make the most of their surroundings while taking things easy.

Why Should I Book My Body Lift with Medical Departures?

Major surgery abroad, like a body lift, is not to be taken lightly. We always stress that patients should spend a little time doing their homework.  Research the procedure and ask yourself, “is it for me?” Are your expectations realistic? Are you OK being so far away from home?

You should also choose your surgeon with care. Thailand generally has exceptionally high standards when it comes to its medical care and facilities, but you should ensure you check and double-check as much background information as you can.

At Medical Departures, we only work with quality-checked doctors. Our checks include:

• Looking into criminal/legal backgrounds

• Verifying qualifications and professional memberships 

• Collating real patient reviews and/or online testimonials. 

• Personally visiting clinics

All these processes provide thorough checks to help us determine the trustworthiness of a particular doctor—and only when we are satisfied are they listed on our website.

To get a feel of what our partner clinics offer, take a look at these three top hospitals in Thailand below and book your treatment online or through our Customer Care Team:

• Milada Cosmetic Surgery Hospital

• Bangkok Plastic Surgery 

• Kamol Hospital

Please note: the above three clinics are all located in Bangkok, the Thai capital. 

What Is Involved in a Body Lift in Thailand?

Body lifts consist of a number of procedures that are used together to achieve the desired result, which means that no two are necessarily the same. Your surgeon will concentrate more on the areas you have agreed upon beforehand.

The surgery can take around five hours, on average and will be performed under general anesthetic. The surgery requires long incisions to remove the large areas of loose skin–which are typically made so they can be hidden with clothes. So, for example, for removing excess skin around the lower abdomen an incision will be made from hip to hip underneath the bikini line. The skin will be pulled tight and excess skin and underlying tissue removed, before being stitched back and allowed to heal.

What Is the Recovery Time for a Body Lift Procedure?

You can expect to feel sore and tender for the first few days after surgery, and you are likely to have drainage tubes in your wounds for a couple of weeks, which will be uncomfortable, especially when moving.

Gradually, over the next few weeks, stiffness and tenderness will ease, but it will be around a month before you can return to work and you will be expected to take it easy (no heavy lifting, for example) for at least two months.

In terms of how long you'll need to stay in Thailand after your body lift, we suggest talking to your chosen surgeon before booking your flights. You will be advised to rest in a comfortable environment (such as a well-equipped, air-conditioned hotel room or under the shade by the pool) for several days following surgery. One option here is to book tickets that allow you to alter the day on which you fly back at no extra cost. This is normally a paid-for add-on option that most airlines offer.

How Much Can I Save on Body Lift Surgery in Thailand Compared to Australia or New Zealand?

As a highly customizable procedure, prices do vary widely. However, in Thailand body lift surgery is likely to start around AUD $12,0000 (US $8,300, CAD $11,000, £5,500 GBP, €7,500) compared to whopping AUD $26,000 (US $18,000, CAD $24,000, £12,000 GBP, €16,000) in Australia. 

This is a saving of almost 70%.

[Please note: these prices are approximate estimates based on international data, calculated at the time of writing.]

Do consider that you will need a longer stay in the city and factor in flight and other travel expenses, which will reduce your savings—depending on how you budget your trip.

How Do I Get Started?

First, take your time looking through our full list of verified facilities for body lift surgery in Bangkok.

If you’re ready to book, or have any questions about a body lift in Thailand, see below for further details on how to get in touch.

Sources:

Thailand Tourism Statistics: 10% Growth For 2019. International Medical Travel Journal. 12 August 2018. https://www.imtj.com/news/thailand-tourism-statistics-10-growth-2019/" target="_blank

Liposuction: What You Should Know WebMD. Website accessed: 11 February 2020.  https://www.webmd.com/beauty/cosmetic-procedure-liposuction" target="_blank

Tummy Tuck. WebMD. 26 July 2018. https://www.webmd.com/beauty/cosmetic-procedures-tummy-tuck#1" target="_blank

Why is Thailand so popular for medical tourists? The Thaiger. 19 February 2019. https://thethaiger.com/thai-life/why-is-thailand-so-popular-for-medical-tourists" target="_blank

Thailand. Lonely Planet. Website accessed: 11 February 2020.  https://www.lonelyplanet.com/thailand" target="_blank