Plastic Surgery After Weight Loss

Many people who have lost 100 pounds or more are overjoyed at their success -- but may be dismayed that their body does not have better shape and tone.

With plastic surgery after weight loss, you can remove loose, heavy folds of skin -- and improve the shape and tone of tissue in the arms, thighs, breasts, buttocks, face, and abdomen.

A variety of cosmetic surgeries can help you gain a trimmer, firmer shape: Body contouring (body lift surgery), tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), buttock augmentation, breast lifts, and arm lifts.

Body Contouring (Body Lift)

Body lift surgery is one of the most common procedures to improve the body's appearance after weight loss surgery. It’s also long-lasting, if you keep your weight stable.

Here's what happens: With one incision along the abdomen, the surgeon can remove excess, sagging skin -- lifting and tightening the buttocks, abdomen, waist, hips, thighs, and arms in one procedure. Liposuction is often used to remove fat and improve the body contour. Buttock augmentation may be done -- because buttocks often flatten with extreme weight loss.

Body lift surgery can dramatically change your appearance, and the results are permanent, except for a little natural firmness that's lost with age.

But body lifts are not without some risk. For example, there will be some scarring. Some people continue to have problems with loose skin. Some people need a follow-up cosmetic procedure.

The higher your BMI [body mass index], the more likely there will be complications. Possible complications of body lifts include bleeding, infection, tissue death, abnormal scars, and formation of a seroma -- a mass or lump that results from fluid buildup in an organ or tissue.

Your surgeon can talk to you about the potential problems. But for most people, the result is a smoother, more normal body shape.

Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

A "tummy tuck" is often performed as part of body lift surgery -- to remove fat and skin, and in some cases help tighten your abdominal muscles, creating a smoother, firmer abdomen. A tummy tuck can help flatten your stomach when diet, exercise, and weight loss have not done enough. Don't confuse a tummy tuck with liposuction -- although you may need liposuction as part of your tummy tuck.

A full tummy tuck involves a large incision from hipbone to hipbone, around the naval. Your surgeon can then manipulate the skin, tissues, and muscle -- and repair weakened abdominal muscles. Your belly button will be lifted to a more pleasing spot. In some cases, a second incision is necessary to remove excess skin in the upper abdomen. While there will be scars, they will fade somewhat.

The result is a firmer, flatter abdomen that better matches your trimmer figure.

Breast Lift (Mastopexy)

If your breasts are sagging, a breast lift can help lift, firm, and reshape them. In a breast lift, excess skin and tissue are removed, and the nipple is repositioned higher on the chest. Some people also need a breast implant to improve the breast's shape.

At times there is need for a touch-up procedure. If there are slight differences between the breasts after breast lift surgery, the surgeon may need to reposition the nipple.

Should You Have Plastic Surgery After Weight Loss?

You are likely a good candidate for plastic surgery after weight loss if:

• Your weight has stabilized 
• You don't have medical conditions that impair healing or increase risk of surgery
• You're a nonsmoker
• You have a positive outlook and realistic goals for the procedure
• You are committed to proper nutrition, fitness, and an overall healthy lifestyle

If you're a woman planning a family, it's best to wait until after you've had your babies before having plastic surgery after weight loss.

 

Go Back To Articles