Post Bariatric Procedures
If you have lost a large amount of weight, you may find that you still do not have the body contour you worked so hard to obtain. Bariatric surgery, also known as gastric bypass surgery, and other weight-loss methods can cause you to lose so much weight that folds of loose skin remain even after the fat has disappeared. As a final step in this dramatic body reshaping, Face + Body cosmetic Surgery recommends body lift surgery, including panniculectomy, arm lift, thigh lift, and other surgeries, in order to remove excess skin, giving you the body contour you were originally seeking.
Post-Bariatric Body Lift
Loose and excess skin can occur in many areas, including the area around the abdomen, the thighs, the neck, under the arms, or anywhere else large deposits of fat have disappeared. In addition to the cosmetic benefits, a body lift can also be beneficial in terms of health. Rashes, infections, and difficulty in exercising can all result from the loose folds of skin that occur after drastic weight loss. A body lift alleviates these problems as well.
Body Lift Surgery
If your case is less severe, with loose skin concentrated around the abdomen, then we recommend a tummy tuck rather than the more involved body lift procedure. Body lift surgery would be scheduled when your weight has stabilized after the most drastic period of weight loss. Depending on the amount of skin that needs to be removed, and the number of areas that need to be tightened, the body lift may be performed in stages.
During the procedure, we will make incisions and remove excess skin in key locations, then pull the remaining skin taut and seal the incisions. Scars will result from a body lift, but an experienced plastic surgeon can place the incisions strategically to make the scars as inconspicuous as possible.
Arm Lift
Loose skin can collect on your upper arms for a number of reasons. Significant weight loss can cause arm skin to sag, as can the natural aging process. This skin can be unsightly, hanging down beneath the arm. Our board-certified plastic surgeons perform arm lift surgery, known medically as "brachioplasty," to lift and tighten sagging arm skin.
Brachioplasty surgery consists mainly of a long incision beginning at your armpit and stretching to your elbow. Your plastic surgeon will remove excess skin, fat, and other tissue. The surgeon will then bring the remaining skin together to form a sleeker contour. The incision is closed with stitches, and dressings are applied. There will be some swelling and discomfort following the operation, but these should fade quickly as you heal.
Thigh Lift
After you have succeeded in losing large amounts of weight, you may be disappointed to find that your hips and thighs do not have the sleek, toned contour that you worked so hard to obtain. The appearance of disproportionate hips and thighs is frequently marred by loose skin that remains, even after the fat is gone. Thigh lift surgery can be performed to remove this loose skin, tighten the remaining skin, and create a more pleasing and shapely contour.
Thigh Lift Surgery
There is a wide range of techniques used to perform thigh lift surgery. Incisions are strategically placed to minimize the visibility of scars. Once the incisions are made, we will remove excess skin, lifting and drawing together the remaining skin to form the new contour of your thigh and leg. The time required for thigh lift surgery varies depending upon the technique being used and the extent of the work being done. Contact our board-certified plastic surgeons for more information about thigh lift surgery.
