Post Weight Loss Surgery
For patients who have lost extreme amounts of weight, the aftermath of their commitment to their health can still be hard on their self confidence. While they have taken great strides to improve their health, massive weight loss tends to leave patients with excess skin. This extra skin can be uncomfortable, lead to infections, and cause clothing not to fit properly. Thankfully Dr. Rednam is skilled in a variety of surgical body procedures, and can give patients an improved appearance following significant weight loss.
Benefits of Body Contouring and Skin Removal Surgery After Weight Loss
Patients who have worked hard to lose a significant amount of weight are often discouraged to find that their bodies still don’t look as slim or streamlined as they had hoped. In many cases, skin and tissues don’t have adequate elasticity to conform to the smaller size of their bodies. Not only can this diminish the appearance of their success and prevent them from achieving the silhouette they desire, but excess skin after massive weight loss also poses a number of negative implications to their physical health.
Post weight loss surgery, sometimes referred to as body contouring surgery or skin removal surgery, can help address many of the physical and emotional issues that often trouble patients who have achieved massive weight loss, including:
- Improved physical functioning
- Enhanced psychological wellbeing
- Improvements to social functioning
- Improved body image
- Decreased BMI (body mass index)
- Reduced pain
- Improved sexual function
- Higher self-esteem
Overall, patients who undergo body contouring surgery after massive weight loss enjoy a
Trusted Source
Does Body Contouring After Bariatric Weight Loss Enhance Quality of Life?
Toma, T., Harling, L., Athanasiou, T.
Go to Source
significantly
higher quality of life than those who
Trusted Source
Patient Expectations of Bariatric and Body Contouring Surgery
Poulson L, Klassen A, Jhanwar S, et al
Go to Source
don’t.
In fact, most patients report that they didn’t expect to look or feel as well as they do after body contouring surgery.
Post Weight Loss Surgery Procedures
Ideal candidates for post weight loss surgery include those who are in good health, have made overarching lifestyle changes that support their new weight, and who have realistic expectations for the outcome of their surgery. Dr. Rednam recommends that patients have been stable at or near their goal weight for at least six months. After weight loss surgery, Dr. Rednam may recommend the following
Trusted Source
Body Contouring
American Society of Plastic Surgeons
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procedures
to help patients achieve optimal results:
- Breast Lift or Breast Augmentation
- Arm Lift (Brachioplasty)
- Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
- Facelift
- Labiaplasty
- Thigh Lift
- Circumferential Body Lift
- Bra Line Lift
- Panniculectomy (removal of the apron of skin beneath the belly button)
- Buttock Lift
Patients who are older and have been significantly overweight for longer periods of time typically have more skin laxity with less elasticity. Additionally, patients who have undergone bariatric surgery require special considerations in light of their nutritional needs. Dr. Rednam is familiar with both the mental and physical changes that come with massive weight loss. This is why she is always available to support her patients along their life-changing journey.
Preparing for Post Weight Loss Surgery
If you have lost a significant amount of weight through bariatric surgery, it makes sense that the next step is for you to prepare for post weight loss surgery. Here are some steps you can take:
- Get to, or close to your target weight
- Establish and maintain healthy eating habits
- Make sure your support system is in place
Finally, an essential way to prepare for post weight loss surgery is to do your research. Make sure you have found a plastic surgeon you can trust, and that this surgeon has the support staff necessary to guide you through this new journey with confidence.
Kim's Body Contouring and Skin Removal Surgery After Weight Loss
Details of Post Weight Loss Surgery Procedures
Mastopexy
Mastopexy, or breast lift, can create a more even, perky, and voluminous appearance to the breasts. The nipples and areola are also repositioned for a more youthful look.
Upper Arm Lift
In this procedure, incisions are made at the back of the arm or on the inside of the arm so that excess fat can be removed and skin can be tightened.
Abdominoplasty
Abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck surgery, not only tightens lax abdominal muscles but also removes excess skin. The incision for this type of post-bariatric surgery is made in the natural crease at the bikini line.
Thigh Lift
There are a number of different approaches to a thigh lift. Depending on the patient’s anatomy and goals, an incision may be made in the groin fold (inner thigh lift), from the groin to the inner knee (vertical thigh lift), or the from the groin to the hip (outer thigh lift).
Circumferential Body Lift
A lipectomy, or lower body lift, smooths the contours of the abdomen, hips, waist, thighs, and buttocks. For this procedure, a circumferential incision is made from the back around to the hips and the front of the thighs so that loose skin and excess fat can be removed.
Panniculectomy
A panniculectomy is performed to remove skin that hangs from the lower abdomen, or pannus, after massive weight loss. During this procedure, an incision is made in the pubic area and excess skin and fat are removed.
Liposuction
Liposuction is often less invasive than other post weight loss surgery procedures, but still can have dramatic results. This procedure involves making a small incision, through which a cannula is inserted to vacuum away excess fat.
Post Weight Loss Surgery Recovery
Recovery from post weight loss surgery depends on the procedures received as well as the extent of a patient’s skin removal. Typically patients take two to three weeks away from work to recover, though they should avoid strenuous exercise and lifting for at least six weeks post-op.
Results are both immediate and progressive as scars fade and swelling goes down.
Frequently Asked Questions
Post Weight Loss Surgery FAQs
If you have done the work and achieved major weight loss, you might be troubled by excess skin. Body contouring after significant weight loss or bariatric surgery can help you achieve a more streamlined figure. Ideal candidates for post weight loss surgery are in good general health and have maintained a stable body weight for at least six months.
In some cases, certain post weight loss skin removal procedures may be is considered to be medically necessary and may be is covered by medical insurance when proper documentation and history are present. A member of our team will submit for preauthorization if you meet criteria for insurance approval. If the surgery is not covered by your insurance plan due to denial or exclusion, we can help you learn more about payment and financing options that may bring this treatment into reality for you.
Any surgical body contouring procedure will result in some scarring, but Dr. Rednam will employ her expertise to place incisions in such a way that scarring is minimized, placed in well hidden areas when possible, and optimized.
Any surgical procedure does carry some risk of side effects and complications, but working with a highly experienced surgeon like Dr. Rednam is the best way to achieve optimal results.
Your Post Weight Loss Surgery Consultation
Post weight loss body contouring and skin removal surgery often involves more than one surgical procedure, and treatment plans always need to be customized according to each patient’s condition and goals. As a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Rukmini Rednam has earned a reputation for technical expertise that ensures consistently exceptional results for her patients. To learn more about how Dr. Rednam can help you achieve the appearance you’ve worked so hard for, contact us to schedule a post weight loss surgery consultation.
1 Toma, T., Harling, L., Athanasiou, T. et al. Does Body Contouring After Bariatric Weight Loss Enhance Quality of Life? A Systematic Review of QOL Studies. OBES SURG 28, 3333–3341 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-018-3323-8. Accessed April 14, 2020.
2 Poulson L, Klassen A, Jhanwar S, et al. Patient Expectations of Bariatric and Body Contouring Surgery. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 2016;4(4): 694 – Global Open: April 2016 – Volume 4 – Issue 4 – p e694. doi: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000000677. Accessed April 15, 2020.
3 American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Body Contouring. Available: https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/body-contouring. Accessed April 15, 2020.
Dr. Rukmini Rednam has either authored or reviewed and approved this content.
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