Most people are truly happy after bariatric surgery. However, you may be left with heavy folds of skin after weight loss surgery especially if you have lost 100 pounds or more. The good news is that plastic surgery can remove the extra skin and improve the tone and shape of tissue in your abdomen, arms, buttocks, breasts, thighs, and face. Cosmetic surgery can help boost your self-confidence and self-image, as well.
There are several types of plastic surgery to help you gain a firmer, trimmer shape: tummy tuck, body contouring, arms lifts, breast lifts, and buttock augmentation. Sometimes, surgery techniques are combined to give you the results that you want.
Panniculectomy
Panniculectomy is a plastic surgery to remove excess hanging skin and fat, called ‘pannus’, from the lower abdomen – usually after major weight loss or bariatric surgery.
Sometimes considered a tummy tuck, the panniculectomy is medically necessary to improve your health and bodily cleanliness. Having significant excess skin hanging from a patient’s body after bariatric surgery, provides a risk of infections.
Breast Lift
A mastopexy, also known as a breast lift is a surgical procedure that is done to change the way that your breasts look. A breast lift can help reshape sagging breasts to make them look firmer. A breast lift raises your breasts by reducing excess skin. The tissue surrounding the breasts may also be tightened.
A breast lift doesn’t change the size of your breasts. But, it will improve the shape. Some people have a breast lift done with a breast reduction or augmentation to reduce or increase the size of their breasts.
Tummy Tuck
A tummy tuck — also known as abdominoplasty — is a cosmetic procedure used to improve the appearance and shape of the stomach area. You might choose to have a tummy tuck if you have excess skin near your belly button. A tummy tuck can help make the stomach look flatter when weight loss, exercise and diet have not done enough. Many people get a tummy tuck as part of body lift surgery.
During a tummy tuck, your surgeon will remove excess fat and skin from the abdomen. The surgeon will then reposition the remaining skin to create a more toned look. Connective tissue in the abdomen may be tightened, as well. Your surgeon may also slightly move your belly button to suit your new shape.
You will have scars, but over time, they will get lighter and fade. The result will be a flatter, firmer abdomen and an overall trimmer shape.
Body Lift
A body lift surgery is one of the most common procedures after bariatric surgery. Body lift surgery addresses loose, hanging skin caused by massive weight loss and other factors. A body lift firms, tightens, and raises the skin of the waist, abdomen, hips, buttocks and thighs. This surgery is very long-lasting, as long as you keep your weight stable.
During a body lift, your surgeon will make a cut along the abdomen and remove excess skin. The surrounding tissue is then repositioned to create a more attractive, natural body contour. A body lift may be done with several other surgeries.
Buttock Augmentation
A butt augmentation may involve a number of plastic surgery surgeries that change how your butt looks. Buttock augmentation is common after bariatric surgery as signfiicnat weight loss can flatten the buttocks. These surgeries may be performed along with a body lift.
A gluteal (butt) augmentation can make your butt look firmer and rounder. These procedures may lift excess sagging, smooth wrinkled skin, and add volume to your butt.
Your surgeon may use implants, fat transfer or other techniques to sculpt and shape your butt.
Liposuction
Liposuction may be used after weight loss surgery to remove excess fat and improve body contour. This procedure is often performed with other cosmetic surgeries after weight loss, such as a body lift or tummy tuck.
Who Is A Good Candidate for Cosmetic Surgery After Weight Loss?
You may be a suitable candidate for cosmetic surgery after weight loss if:
- You are in good health
- Your weight loss is stable (typically 2 years after bariatric surgery)
- You have realistic goals for the results
- You have a positive outlook
- You don’t smoke
- You don’t have serious heart conditions
- You are committed to a healthy lifestyle
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When Is The Right Time To Consider Cosmetic Surgery?
The best time to consider the procedures above is when you are close to your goal weight and your weight is stable. This is usually two years after weight loss surgery, which allows you to fully lose all your expected weight loss.
Can I Have Plastic Surgery If I Smoke?
Some surgeons will not operate on active smokers. If you smoke, it’s best to quit at least one month before surgery to prevent complications.
How Long Will It Take To Recover?
The recovery time depends on the procedures that you have. Some procedures, such as butt augmentation, have a long recovery time. Make sure you can take enough time away from work for a calm recovery. It might be helpful to have support from family and friends around the time of your recovery.
Final Thoughts
If you are considering weight loss surgery and are worried about excess skin after the procedure, it’s important to know that there are several cosmetic procedures that can be used to tighten and tone the body.
The best thing to do is to speak to your doctor about your options.