Surgery After Weight Loss
Losing a significant amount of weight is a great accomplishment – one that should leave you feeling proud and satisfied. While you may be excited about starting this new chapter in your life, something else might still be weighing you down: excess skin.
After significant weight loss, Salt Lake City women and men often end up with skin that is loose and bulky which detracts from their impressive achievements. In such cases, surgery for loose skin after weight loss can help achieve a more shapely appearance, allowing you to fully enjoy the benefits of your transformation.
Post Weight Loss Surgery Candidates
For people who are struggling with excess skin after weight loss, weight loss surgery may be an option that can significantly improve their lives.
If you are considering post weight loss plastic surgery, it is important that you learn if you are a good candidate. While only a personal consultation with a surgeon can tell you whether or not you can benefit from the surgery, in general, post weight loss surgery patients have:
- You are severely overweight.
- Excess skin that hangs and is loose
- The desire for a toned, taut look
- Difficulty finding properly fitting clothing
- Feelings of dissatisfaction regarding their physique
- A Desire to fully enjoy the results of their weight loss
See Our Work
If you would like to learn more about how our team can transform your image, request a consultation online or call our office at (801) 937-9650. Our board-certified plastic surgeons, Dr Moores & Dr. Reuben, are eager to meet you and help you on your aesthetic journey.
We generally perform the following procedures:
Either combined or staged
Upper/Lower Body Lift
Lower body lift and upper body lift are two body sculpting procedures that can improve your appearance and reduce the amount of excess fat and skin on your body. Body contouring procedures are preferred by patients who have recently lost weight. It addresses the upper or lower body, including critical areas such as the midsection, chest, arms or lower abdomen, hips, thighs, and flanks. Body contouring procedures are preferred by patients who have recently lost weight.
Thigh Lift
A thigh lift (thighplasty) is a cosmetic procedure that can improve the shape and tone of your thighs. This surgery addresses the thighs and upper legs by tightening loose skin and providing a smooth and shapely appearance. You may choose to have a thigh lift if you have lost a lot of weight.
Brachioplasty
When you gain significant weight, your skin stretches gradually. After substantial weight loss, especially with age, your skin may lose elasticity, leading to loose tissue and excess skin folds, commonly under the arms, chin, upper thighs, and lower abdomen. During surgery to address this, a plastic surgeon removes excess skin and fat from the upper arm. They make an incision on the inside or back of the arm, remove the extra tissue, and sew the remaining skin together, creating a smoother contour and potentially improving muscle tone.
Mastopexy
Known more commonly as a breast lift, this procedure is performed by a plastic surgeon to change the shape of the breasts. During a breast lift, a plastic surgeon removes excess skin and reshapes breast tissue to raise the breasts.
You might choose to have a breast lift if your breasts sag or your nipples point downward. A breast lift might also boost your self-image and self-confidence.
Buttocks Lift
A buttock lift is a cosmetic surgery to improve the appearance of the buttocks. Often, after weight loss, the rear and buttocks lose shape. During a buttock lift, excess skin and fat are removed from the buttocks. The remaining skin is then repositioned to create a more toned look.
A buttock lift alone will not add volume to the buttocks. But sometimes a buttock lift is combined with augmentation. Augmentation involves changing the size or shape of the buttocks with implants or fat taken from other parts of the body.
What Our Clients Think
Frequently Asked Questions
What procedures are typically performed after significant weight loss?
Common procedures for patients who have lost significant weight include:Â
What to Expect Afterward?
After your post bariatric surgery, you will likely experience some pain and soreness. This is normal and will continue to subside throughout the recovery process. While experiences vary, most patients need about 1 week before they feel that they can return to light activities, depending on which procedures are performed. We will go through the recovery process with you during the appointments leading up to your post-bariatric surgery.
How soon can I have body contouring surgery after I’ve lost a lot of weight?
I need several areas improved. Can I have all of my procedures performed together?
It depends on which procedures you require, your health, and unique anatomy. When planning body contouring surgery, the most important factor we consider is patient safety. Performing these complex procedures is time-consuming. In order to avoid overexposure to anesthesia and reduce the possibility of complications, we may stagger groups of procedures over time. We will usually schedule the next surgery after you have healed and recovered properly from the prior surgery.
What are the risks?
In addition to the possible risks associated with any surgery such as bleeding, infection, and reaction to anesthesia, post weight loss plastic surgery involves special circumstances. Obesity stretches the skin and therefore diminishes its elasticity. Poor skin quality can increase the chances of issues with wound healing, scar migration, and aesthetics. It’s extremely important to choose a surgeon who is trained and experienced in these complex body contouring procedures as well as in managing the unique challenges of post-bariatric patients.
Why do I need to wear compression garments after my body contouring surgery?
What is the recovery time after weight loss surgery?
Recovery time varies depending on the procedure performed and the extent of the surgery. On average, patients can expect to take 2-4 weeks off from work and avoid strenuous activities for at least 6-8 weeks. Full recovery may take several months as the body heals and swelling subsides. Your surgeon will provide detailed post-surgical care instructions to ensure the best results and minimize complications.
Let’s talk!
Schedule a consultation with one of our doctors.