Whether you’ve slimmed down via bariatric surgery or the “old-fashioned” method of diet and exercise, dropping a significant amount of weight can be an incredibly satisfying experience—you should be proud of yourself after such an accomplishment. On the other hand, you may now be asking yourself, “How do I get rid of all this excess skin?” After massive weight loss, body contouring plastic surgery at St. Louis Cosmetic Surgery is an excellent solution for patients from Missouri, Southern Illinois communities such as Decatur and Champaign, and Terre Haute, Indiana, who want to remove areas of excess skin and fat on their arms, legs, face, abdomen, or breasts.
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Your Body Contouring Options
During your initial consultation, you and your surgeon create a comprehensive surgical plan to address your specific concerns. The consultation is an important opportunity to have a candid discussion with your surgeon about your ultimate goals, as well as your lifestyle and plans for the future. You’ve worked hard to lose the weight, and our surgeons want you to enjoy your body to the fullest.
The primary goal of all post-weight loss body contouring surgery is to remove sagging skin and fat while improving the shape of the underlying tissue. Combining different procedures during a single operation is common. Patient safety is our top priority, however, and your surgeon may recommend staging the procedures in separate operations performed several weeks apart. You and your surgeon may choose from the following options:
- [link pid=77]Tummy Tuck[/link]: A tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) excises the excess skin draped over the waist after weight loss and tightens weakened abdominal muscles. A tummy tuck is sometimes combined with a thigh and buttock lift for more comprehensive results as part of a procedure called a “transverse body lift.”
- [link pid=87]Thigh or Buttock Lift[/link]: These are common procedures for anyone who recently lost a significant amount of weight. Your surgeon can customize these procedures based on the degree of sagging. In some cases, a thigh lift is performed using only a short incision made on the inside of the thigh.
- [link pid=89]Arm Lift[/link]: Tightening the skin on the upper arms is a common request from our post-weight loss patients. An arm lift (brachioplasty) helps firm and tone the upper arms.
- [link pid=67]Breast Lift[/link]: Breast skin stretched by excessive weight gain loses its elasticity and sags after significant weight loss. A breast lift can restore the breasts’ shape and contour.
- [link pid=39]Facelift[/link]: Patients concerned about jowls and sagging neck skin can undergo a facelift in addition to body contouring surgery.
[link pid=75]Liposuction[/link] is also commonly used in conjunction with each of these procedures to reduce localized pockets of fat that remain after weight loss.
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Am I a Candidate for Body Contouring?
Regardless of the procedures you choose, the characteristics of a good candidate for post-weight loss body contouring surgery include:
- Maintaining a stable weight for at least 6 months with no intention of losing additional weight
- Being in good overall health with no underlying medical conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease
- Have been cleared for plastic surgery by a primary care physician
- Eating a well-rounded, healthy diet that includes adequate protein
- Being a nonsmoker
- Being prepared mentally to undergo more than one surgery and take the time needed to recover
- Having realistic expectations about the results
Most patients considering body contouring surgery after weight loss have already demonstrated a commitment to their new, healthy lifestyles. By achieving a healthy, maintainable weight, you may be a promising candidate for these procedures. Our surgeons encourage you to discuss any concerns you may have about your candidacy or the process of body contouring surgery.
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Recovery & Results After Post-Weight Loss Plastic Surgery
Recuperation after a body contouring surgery varies from patient to patient and depends on the nature of the operation, especially if your surgeon combined different procedures. It’s very important to follow the postoperative instructions your surgeon provides.
Our surgeons use general anesthesia when performing body contouring procedures, and in some cases, patients need to spend a night or 2 in the hospital before returning home. You can expect to have bandages at your incision sites and likely surgical drains to help reduce fluid buildup. Although the recovery time is different for each patient, most people begin feeling more comfortable after the first week or 2.
If you’re visiting us from out of town, you may find our [link pid=”210″]resources for out-of-town patients[/link] useful. We’d like to make your experience as simple and streamlined as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will health insurance cover plastic surgery after weight loss?
Health insurance companies typically don’t pay for any procedures they deem to be “cosmetic,” even after undergoing massive weight loss. There are some exceptions. For example, patients with a large apron of skin that causes a persistent rash despite using prescription creams may qualify for insurance coverage to surgically excise the skin. Insurers also may cover breast reduction if patients have back pain or severe rashes because of overly large, heavy breasts. We work with you to help obtain coverage when possible and offer financing plans to help manage your payments.
Is it safe to combine body contouring procedures?
Your safety is our No. 1 priority. When your surgeon creates a surgical plan, he takes into account your age, medical history, and current overall health. Most patients can safely undergo an operation that combines certain procedures, such as a tummy tuck, thigh lift, and buttock lift, but some post-weight loss surgery candidates may need multiple operations. For example, your surgeon may address your lower body during the first stage and perform a breast lift or reduction and arm lift as the second stage of your body contouring surgery. This is all decided as part of your surgical plan, with your health and safety as the deciding factor.
How long will the body contouring results last?
If you maintain a fairly steady weight with no major fluctuations, the results of body contouring surgery can last indefinitely. The aging process continues, but by practicing a healthy lifestyle and skincare habits, you can expect to enjoy your results for many years.
Do I need to reach a certain weight before having skin removal surgery?
There is no “ideal weight” that someone must be to have body contouring surgery. Our surgeons recommend reaching a weight at which you feel comfortable and maintaining that weight, because any major changes may affect your results.
What is the most important thing to do to prepare for body contouring surgery?
If you are a smoker, stop smoking. Smoking compromises the body’s immune system and makes it much more likely that a patient will encounter complications following surgery. Smoking also makes it harder to heal and affects the health of the skin.
Our board-certified and board-eligible plastic surgeons use a variety of procedures and techniques to sculpt smooth, shapely body contours with minimal downtime. [consultation]Request a consultation[/consultation] online, or call [phone] to discuss your options in St. Louis for plastic surgery after weight loss.
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