The physical transformation that occurs after losing a massive amount of weight can sometimes include an unpleasant downside: loose skin. Losing significant weight either through lifestyle changes or bariatric surgery is a wonderful accomplishment with many health benefits, but patients who choose to get plastic surgery after weight loss in Los Angeles are sometimes overwhelmed that cosmetic surgery is needed to remove excess skin.
Because each patient who comes to our office has unique concerns, there is no single surgical procedure or combination of procedures that are right for everyone. Most patients over the age of 30 who have bariatric surgery can expect some loose skin because skin tends to lose its elasticity over time. Skin doesn’t simply recoil to fit the body’s new contours. Not only is excess skin a cosmetic issue for patients, but it can also lead to health problems, such as rashes or infections.
As an expert in body contouring surgery after weight loss, I’ve appeared on the TV show “Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition” to discuss this specialized area of plastic surgery. I carefully plan surgeries after consulting with patients and thoroughly examining them. Achieving optimal results usually requires staging multiple operations over a period of time. In this blog post, I’ll provide details about the procedures that are often part of plastic surgery after weight loss.
Body Contouring Procedures
The number of procedures that can be combined during a single operation depends on the patient’s overall health and medical history, plus the anticipated length of the operation. A patient’s safety is always a priority when assessing surgical plans.
These areas are often affected by significant weight loss:
Abdomen: A tummy tuck, pubic lift, or panniculectomy are the options to address excess abdominal skin. Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) combined with a panniculectomy is one of the most common post-weight loss procedures I perform. A panniculectomy focuses on the lower abdominal area. This combination procedure produces dramatic results.
Arms: An arm lift addresses the “bat wings” that many men and women have after significant weight loss. This excess skin on the upper arms can hang 2 or 3 inches from the arm and prevent patients from feeling comfortable wearing tank-tops or short-sleeve shirts.
Legs: Excess thigh skin is often a medical concern because it rubs together, and the friction can lead to skin conditions and make walking extremely uncomfortable. Lateral (external) and inner thigh lifts reduce the skin and tissue and help make physical activity more enjoyable.
Buttocks: A lower body lift often includes a buttock lift to reduce excess skin and create more aesthetically pleasing contours for the buttocks.
Neck and Face: Excess neck and face skin can be especially concerning after weight loss because it can’t be concealed with clothes. A facelift and neck lift can remedy those concerns.
You can see the results that plastic surgery after weight loss procedures can produce by looking at before-and-after photos of some of my patients. If you’re researching the best plastic surgeons in Los Angeles for body contouring surgery after weight loss, contact us using the online form to request a consultation or call us at our Marina del Rey practice at (310) 300-1779 to schedule an initial appointment.
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