Abstract: An apparatus deployed through a laparoscopic incision in a body wall to apply an external lifting force over a large area of the body wall. The apparatus comprises a body wall engaging element and an elongate lifting member. The body wall engaging element is capable of passing in a packaged state through the laparoscopic incision, is inflatable to an inflated state, and includes, in the inflated state, a plane lifting surface. The elongate lifting member includes a distal portion connected to the plane lifting surface, and capable of passing through the laparoscopic incision. A proximal portion receives the external lifting force in a direction that moves the body wall engaging element into contact with the body wall. A method for lifting a body wall by applying an external lifting force to a large area of the body wall through a laparoscopic incision. The lifting device is provided that includes an body wall engaging element capable of passing through the laparoscopic incision in a packaged state.