Post-Weight-Loss Plastic Surgery

Offered at our convenient location in Denver

Fat woman hand holding excessive belly fat. Healthcare and woman diet lifestyle concept to reduce belly and shape up healthy stomach muscle.

Post-weight loss plastic surgery is a set of procedures designed for people who have undergone significant weight loss. When a person loses a lot of weight, whether from dieting, exercise, or medically assisted weight loss, skin can become loose and hang from the upper arms, chest, abdomen, upper thighs, and buttocks. In addition to being unsightly, these rolls can rub against each other and cause chafing, irritation, and even hygiene complications. They can also limit a person’s exercising or mobility capabilities. Post-weight loss plastic surgery can help remove this excess fat and skin.

These procedures aim to bring back a sense of normalcy to the patient who has experienced significant weight loss. By sculpting the body, patients can finally enjoy the success of their weight loss journey. Studies have indicated that post-weight loss plastic surgery has resulted in quality-of-life improvements for patients. (1) Further studies indicate that comprehensive post-weight loss surgery also does not increase risks for complications. (2)

If you have loose skin from weight loss and would benefit from post-weight loss plastic surgery, schedule a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon at Millard Plastic Surgery near Denver. Call (303) 792-5665, and our committed staff will help guide you through the process. You may also request your appointment via our contact form. Our office is located in Englewood, Colorado. We look forward to aiding in your metamorphosis!

If you are interested in the other procedures Millard Plastic Surgery has to offer, visit our blog.

About Post-Weight Loss Plastic Surgery

Significant weight loss reduces the medical risks associated with obesity, but psychosocial and functional problems can linger due to the surplus skin left behind. (3) Weight loss, particularly as a result of GLP-1 medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide, can cause noticeably loose, drooping skin all over the body, which has led to the coining of the phrase “Ozempic body”. Because being obese stretches the patient’s skin to the limit, it loses elasticity. The patient then has to endure large amounts of excess skin after the fat is lost.

At Millard Plastic Surgery, we offer different kinds of post-weight loss procedures that can reduce the appearance of this excess skin and inspire confidence and empowerment. Your surgeon will review each of these procedures with you during your initial consultation to find the right one for you.

Abdominoplasty

An abdominoplasty, also known as a tummy tuck, is a surgical procedure that addresses the loose excess skin over the abdomen through a single incision along the bikini line to create a flatter, well-toned midsection. Sometimes, the muscles in the abdomen can separate as a result of weight gain, but your surgeon can bring these back together to reduce bulging in this area.

There are various types of tummy tuck procedures:

  • Full Tummy Tuck: This procedure involves making a horizontal incision from hip to hip, allowing for the removal of excess skin and fat while also tightening the underlying abdominal muscles. This method is beneficial for individuals with significant amounts of loose skin. We also do liposuction of the upper and lower abdomen with our tummy tucks.
  • Mini Tummy Tuck: A mini tummy tuck requires a smaller incision and focuses on the lower abdomen below the belly button. This option is ideal for those who have minimal excess skin and whose main concern is tightening the lower portion of their abdomen.
  • Extended Tummy Tuck: An extended tummy tuck is a more comprehensive procedure that removes excess skin from the abdomen. This surgery is often recommended for those with extensive sagging that extends beyond the traditional tummy tuck area.

Flankplasty

Flankplasty is a specialized type of aesthetic surgery performed to remove excess skin and fat from the flank area, which is often referred to as the love handles.

  • Liposuction-assisted Flankplasty: This method uses liposuction to remove localized fat deposits from the flank area effectively. It is an excellent option for patients with good skin elasticity who only require fat removal without extensive skin tightening.
  • Traditional Flankplasty: Also referred to as flank reduction, this technique involves surgical excision of both fat and excess skin. The surgeon makes incisions along the flanks and removes the unwanted tissue, resulting in a tighter appearance.
  • Post-bariatric Flankplasty: This specific method is tailored for individuals who have undergone weight loss surgery. It addresses the significant amount of excess skin that remains after losing a considerable amount of weight, restoring the shape and firmness of the body’s profile.

Some patients may undergo flankplasty alongside other body contouring surgeries, such as abdominoplasty or breast lift surgery for a comprehensive transformation.

Thigh Lift

A thigh lift is a surgical procedure that aims to reshape and contour the upper thigh by removing excess skin and fat tissue. Using advanced thigh lift techniques and innovative technology, the surgeon will create a flattering contour that will show off the patient’s newly slimmed thighs. The upper thigh can be prone to stubborn fat deposits that will not significantly reduce in size, even after a patient has undergone massive weight loss. In these cases, the surgeon may use liposuction to effectively sculpt the thighs and restore proportionality to the figure.

Brachioplasty

A brachioplasty, or arm lift, is a surgical solution to sagging, excess skin that can hang from the upper arms. By making a discreet incision down the inner upper arm’s length, the surgeon can reposition tissue and remove excess skin to make the arms appear more toned. Without this excess skin hanging from the arms, patients may find that sleeves fit them better and they feel more confident about how their arms look.

Breast Lift

The breasts can also be greatly affected by significant weight loss. They can lose a large amount of volume, and as a result, breast ptosis (sagging) can occur. The breasts may hang much lower on the chest wall than they used to. To help reduce this sagging, the surgeon can carry out a breast lift, or mastopexy, to bring the breasts back up to a more youthful position by tightening and removing excess breast skin and repositioning the nipples.

Facelift or Neck Lift

The face can also change in appearance after a person loses a lot of weight. Rather than contribute to a more defined facial structure, weight loss can cause loose skin on the face that can make a person look tired. A facelift rejuvenates the face by addressing key areas that are most affected by sagging. After receiving a facelift, patients can look refreshed and years younger.

Benefits

Post-weight loss plastic surgery can have many benefits for patients, including:

  • Enhanced figure
  • Improved proportions
  • Better-fitting clothes
  • Increased self-confidence
  • Instantly noticeable results
  • Easier to maintain proper hygienic practices
  • Decreased irritation or chafing
  • Complements patient’s weight loss journey

Candidates

Young man talking on smart phone. Shirtless male is standing by window. He is relaxing at home.

The ideal candidate for post-weight-loss plastic surgery is any healthy adult at a stable weight who struggles with excess skin from significant weight loss. Oftentimes, patients have lost large amounts of weight after participating in medical weight loss methods such as taking glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist medications such as semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) or tirzepatide (Zepbound, Mounjaro), or they have achieved weight loss through bariatric surgery or classic dieting and exercising. While these surgeries can help patients who have lost a lot of weight, they can also be effective for patients who have experienced changes to their body and skin elasticity after pregnancy. Candidates should be at a stable weight before their procedure, as well as have realistic expectations about what post-weight loss plastic surgery can accomplish. If you are wondering whether or not you would be eligible for these kinds of procedures, we will further evaluate your situation at a personal consultation.

Personal Consultation

Your consultation at our office in Englewood will give you the chance to discuss your goals and expectations for your new body. Your surgeon will be able to answer the questions you have about any procedure. Complete transparency during your consultation is key to making sure you receive the best possible care. After this evaluation, your surgeon will decide the best path going forward for you and your body. To schedule this consultation, call Millard Plastic Surgery at (303) 792-5665 or fill out our contact form.

Results

Studies have demonstrated that weight loss can be improved with body contouring procedures, especially with regard to better patient self-image, self-confidence, and satisfaction. (4) Further studies have also shown that patients who underwent body contouring procedures after weight loss surgery had significantly better long-term weight loss than a matched cohort of patients. (5)

Cost of Post-Weight Loss Plastic Surgery in Denver

The different post-weight loss plastic surgeries all vary in cost. You may also want to combine some of these procedures if you suffer from excessive skin in multiple areas of the body. To find out what your exact procedures will cost you, you will need to attend your personal consultation, where your surgeon can evaluate you and your needs. To help you plan out your procedure costs, Millard Plastic Surgery offers different financing options.

To set up an appointment where we can discuss surgical pricing with you, please call (303) 792-5665 or fill out our contact form.

FAQ

What is post-weight loss plastic surgery?

Post-weight loss plastic surgery is a variety of procedures mainly designed for people who have undergone considerable weight loss. These procedures can help improve the contours of the body and even the appearance of the face by tightening and removing amounts of excess skin.

How come exercising doesn’t treat my sagging skin?

The practice of exercise and healthy dieting can do great things for a person’s health, but these methods often fail to address sagging skin. Exercise can burn fat and tone the muscles, but it cannot tighten the skin that has been stretched by previous weight gain.

Will I have unsightly scars after post-weight loss plastic surgery?

Post-weight loss plastic surgery scars can be long, but our surgeons strategically place incisions discreetly that allow the resulting scars to be mostly hidden. Most scars can be easily concealed by clothing.

How long do post-weight loss surgery results last?

The results of post-weight-loss plastic surgery are essentially permanent. However, if you gain a lot of weight back or become pregnant, these results can be somewhat reversed by the new stretching of the skin. However, if you do happen to put on a little bit of weight, your body will likely still maintain your newly sculpted contours.

How long will it take for my body to get back to normal after my post-weight loss plastic surgery?

Recovery time varies from patient to patient, and depends on the level of work done and the number of procedures combined. Patients should plan to take at least 2 weeks off work to allow the body proper time to heal. Most of the swelling will fade within a few weeks, but some residual swelling may linger for a few months.

References

  1. van der Beek, Eva S. J. M.D.; Geenen, Rinie Ph.D.; de Heer, Francine A. G.; van der Molen, Aebele B. Mink M.D., Ph.D.; van Ramshorst, Bert M.D., Ph.D. Quality of Life Long-Term after Body Contouring Surgery following Bariatric Surgery, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery: November 2012 – Volume 130 – Issue 5 – p 1133-1139 doi: 10.1097/PRS.0b013e318267d51d
  2. de Kerviler, S., Hüsler, R., Banic, A. et al. Body Contouring Surgery Following Bariatric Surgery and Dietetically Induced Massive Weight Reduction: A Risk Analysis. OBES SURG 19, 553–559 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-008-9659-8
  3. Giordano, S., Victorzon, M., Koskivuo, I., & Suominen, E. (2013). Physical discomfort due to redundant skin in post-bariatric surgery patientsΩ. Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery, 66(7), 950-955. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjps.2013.03.016
  4. Warner, Jeremy P. M.D.; Stacey, D Heath M.D.; Sillah, Nyama M. M.D.; Gould, Jon C. M.D.; Garren, Michael J. M.D.; Gutowski, Karol A. M.D. National Bariatric Surgery and Massive Weight Loss Body Contouring Survey, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery: September 2009 – Volume 124 – Issue 3 – p 926-933 doi: 10.1097/PRS.0b013e3181b03880
  5. Froylich, D., MD, Corcelles, R., MD, PhD, Daigle, C. R., MD, Aminian, A., MD, Isakov, R., MD, Schauer, P. R., MD, & Brethauer, S. A., MD. (2016). Weight loss is higher among patients who undergo body contouring procedures after bariatric surgery. Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases, 12(9), 1731-1736. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soard.2015.09.009