Cosmetic surgery to remove extra skin after weight loss
A lot of great things come with losing weight through bariatric surgery: a lighter, slimmer body, more energy, and greatly improved health. However, one less desirable side effect that many patients experience with rapid weight loss is loose, sagging skin. Excess skin folds can be uncomfortable both physically and emotionally, keeping patients from fully enjoying an active lifestyle or wearing form-fitting clothing with confidence.
Body contouring after weight loss with our cosmetic surgeons at Surgical Arts of Inland Empire and Inland Cosmetic Surgery can remove the excess skin following weight loss, restoring a smoother, firmer and more aesthetically pleasing shape to the body, breasts and face.
Body contouring can help you better enjoy the benefits of weight loss by:
- Removing excess, sagging skin from the arms, body, legs or neck
- Helping clothing and swimsuits fit more comfortably and attractively
- Tightening your tummy and restoring your waistline
- Reducing stretch marks
- Alleviating skin irritation caused by excess skin folds
- Achieving more natural, aesthetically pleasing proportions
- Letting you exercise more comfortably
- Enhancing self-confidence and quality of life
How is post-weight loss body contouring performed?
Body contouring surgery is not a single procedure, but rather a set of cosmetic surgery procedures that are fully personalized to address the areas a patient is most concerned about, alleviate problems caused by excess skin, and restore natural-looking proportions. Common procedure options include:
- Tummy tuck surgery: tightens abdominal muscles & removes excess skin from the lower abdomen
- Breast lift: removes sagging skin, lifts and reshapes breasts with or without breast implants
- Upper arm lift: removes loose, hanging skin from the upper arms
- Lower body lift: removes excess skin, lifts and tightens the abdomen (front and back), buttocks and thighs
- Facelift/neck lift: eliminates sagging jowls and neck skin to restore a more youthful neck and jawline
Learn more about your cosmetic body contouring options at Inland Cosmetic Surgery »
Surgery & recovery information
Our cosmetic surgeons perform body contouring surgery in our private, accredited surgery center. Depending on the procedures you are having and the extent of surgery, an overnight stay may be required. Patients typically return to a desk job about 2 to 3 weeks after a tummy tuck or body lift, but may return sooner after less extensive procedures. A gradual return to exercise is allowed at 4 to 6 weeks. Improvements in body contours are noticeable immediately after surgery, although post-operative swelling will obscure results somewhat at first. Results are close to final within 6 months, although scars will continue to fade for a year more.
Am I a good candidate?
Body contouring surgery is an elective procedure. For a safe surgery and optimal results, it is very important to be physically, emotionally and financially prepared for surgery. In general, you may be a good candidate for post-weight loss body contouring if:
- You have reached your goal weight
- Your weight has remained stable for at least 6 months
- You are in good overall health
- You can take several weeks off for recovery
- You can accept that you will have scars that may be visible when wearing certain clothing
- You are expecting improvements, not perfection
- Key Benefits
- Glossary
- Removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen, arms, back, chest, buttocks, and thighs
- Tightens sagging facial skin and improves the contours of the face and neck
- Raises and firms the breasts by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue
- Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck): A surgical procedure to remove excess skin and fat from the abdomen and tighten the abdominal muscles, offering a smoother, firmer abdominal profile.
- Arm Lift (Brachioplasty): Surgery aimed at removing sagging skin and fat between the underarm and elbow to reshape the arm, resulting in smoother skin and contours.
- Bariatric Surgery: Surgical options for weight loss, including gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, and others, designed for individuals with obesity to achieve significant weight reduction.
- Body Contouring: Procedures that remove excess skin and fat in various body areas, improving shape and tone, typically pursued after significant weight loss.
- Breast Lift (Mastopexy): A procedure to lift and reshape sagging breasts by removing excess skin and repositioning the remaining tissue and nipples for a more youthful breast contour.
- Circumferential Body Lift: An extensive procedure removing excess skin and fat around the waistline (360 degrees), including the abdomen, hips, lower back, and buttocks, for improved body shape.
- Cosmetic Surgeon: A medical doctor specializing in procedures that improve the appearance, including body lift surgeries to correct the effects of significant weight loss.
- Excess Skin: The leftover sagging skin that does not conform to the body’s smaller size after significant weight loss, often lacking in elasticity.
- Facelift: A surgical procedure to reduce sagging or folds of skin on the cheeks and jawline, adjusting the face’s shape that may change with age or after massive weight loss.
- Incisions: Cuts made by the surgeon during operations, through which procedures are performed. In body lift surgeries, the size and placement of incisions depend on the extent of excess skin removal required.
- Liposuction: A procedure to remove excess fat from specific body areas, which is sometimes used alongside body lift procedures to refine the overall contours.
- Massive Weight Loss: A significant reduction in body weight, often as a result of bariatric surgery or lifestyle changes, which may lead to excess skin and the need for body contouring surgeries.
- Obesity: A medical condition characterized by excessive body fat accumulation, which poses significant health risks and is often a precursor to bariatric surgery.
- Panniculectomy: The surgical removal of the pannus, an overhanging apron of skin and fat from the lower abdomen, to improve hygiene and comfort following significant weight loss.
- Semaglutide: A injectable weight loss medication approved for weight loss and diabetes management that mimics an intestinal hormone to reduce appetite.
- Skin Elasticity: The ability of the skin to stretch and return to its original state. Loss of elasticity, due to factors like aging or significant weight fluctuations, can lead to the need for surgical intervention.
- Thigh Lift: A procedure to remove excess skin and fat from the thighs, enhancing leg contours and reducing discomfort from chafing.
- Weight Loss Surgeon: A medical professional who specializes in surgical weight loss procedures for individuals with obesity, aiming to achieve significant weight reduction.
What are the risks?
When performed by an experienced cosmetic surgeon, post-weight loss body contouring has an excellent safety profile, and can help patients further improve their health after bariatric surgery by making exercise more fun and comfortable, and improving self-confidence. However, there are risks involved in any surgery. Risks pertaining to body contouring include:
- General anesthesia risks
- Hematoma (bleeding)
- Infection
- Poor scarring
- Cosmetic variations (i.e., asymmetry)
You can minimize your risks by choosing an experienced, qualified cosmetic surgeon for your procedure and following your doctor’s instructions for rest, activity restrictions, and incision care after surgery.
To learn more about body contouring surgery after weight loss, contact Surgical Arts of Inland Empire.
