Skin Removal Surgery After Weight Loss

As an increasing number of people achieve their weight loss journey goals with the help of drugs like Ozempic, there’s been a simultaneous surge in skin removal surgery procedures.
Patients using Ozempic and similar drugs — as well as those who’ve achieved weight loss through bariatric surgery — often find that the weight comes off quickly. This, in turn, typically leads to a large amount of loose skin.

Essentially, the skin doesn’t “have the chance” — or isn’t “able” — to shrink down quickly enough as the patient loses body fat. Therefore, the patient is indeed smaller, but their excessive loose skin belies this.

Fortunately, excess skin removal surgery and body contouring procedures can help reduce excess skin and fat and reveal the slimmer, fitter you beneath.

What Is Loose Skin Removal Surgery?

Skin removal surgery following minimal or massive weight loss can be an extremely self-affirming, confidence-boosting experience for patients who have achieved significant weight loss.

Skin removal procedures, also known as body contouring surgery or skin removal surgery after weight loss, is a cosmetic procedure designed to address excess skin and tissue that remains after significant loss of weight. The goal is to get rid of sagging skin, wrinkles, and stretch marks as much as possible and to improve body contour and restore a more toned and proportionate appearance. Underlying tissue and muscles may be tightened as well.

Who Qualifies for Post-Weight Loss Skin Removal Surgery?

This surgery is typically for individuals who have excess skin that is causing physical discomfort, hygiene issues, difficulty going about daily activities, or emotional distress.

Common complications associated with excess skin include the following.

Limited mobility

Excess skin due to rapidly losing weight can restrict movement and physical activity. This can make it hard to go about daily life in a normal way and may make activities such as exercise challenging. This, in turn, may then cause a separate set of health problems.

Skin irritation and rashes

Excess skin folds can trap moisture and bacteria. This can lead to chronic rashes and general skin irritation, which can be painful. In rare cases, infection may occur.

Hygiene issues

It is sometimes difficult to maintain cleanliness around saggy skin and excess skin folds. This may increase a patient’s risk for fungal or bacterial infections.

Lowered self-confidence and motivation

Extra skin can impact self-confidence and body image, and this may lead to psychological distress and social withdrawal. Again, this can create a new cycle of problems for patients.

Body Contouring Post-Weight Loss

Body contouring surgery following dropping weight can include a variety of procedures designed to remove extra skin and improve the patient’s overall figure.

Which of the body contouring surgeries you undergo will depend on what areas you’d like to improve and what’s causing you problems. Common body contouring after weight loss procedures include the following.

Breast Lift

Also known as mastopexy, breast lift surgery reshapes and lifts sagging breasts. Patients often seek this surgery after shedding pounds, after pregnancy, or as they age when breasts naturally drop and sag.

Breast Reduction

For individuals who have experienced significant weight loss, breast reduction surgery is sometimes a good option for getting red of excess tissue, skin, and excess fat deposits. Most breast reductions include a lift to provide a more youthful, perky appearance.

Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation is often performed on female patients following weight loss as women see their breast size drop in tandem with their weight. Commonly, breast implant surgery is combined with breast lift surgery to both add volume to the breasts and lift them for a more youthful appearance.

Male Breast Reduction

When men gain a large amount of weight, it’s not uncommon for them to gain weight in their chests. However, after losing weight, the chest/breast skin is stretched and may not bounce back when the fat is gone. Male breast reduction surgery can get rid of this redundant flabby skin and provide a more masculine chest contour.

Tummy Tuck

Also known as abdominoplasty, a tummy tuck is a surgical procedure that is performed to remove excess skin from the abdomen and tighten the abdominal muscles. It typically requires a lower abdominal incision (from hip to hip), a vertical incision on the lower abdomen, and an “invisible” incision within the belly button.

Panniculectomy

A panniculectomy is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the lower abdomen, known as the pannus. This surgery does not typically tighten the abdominal muscles as is the case with tummy tucks. Removing this area of excess skin and fat can help patients particularly with issues such as hygiene and mobility.

Liposuction

Lastly, liposuction is a commonly performed cosmetic surgery that aims to remove stubborn excess fat from basically anywhere on the body.

FAQ: After Weight Loss Skin Removal Surgery

How soon after weight loss surgery can you get a lower or upper body lift?

This depends on the patient and their circumstances. Most plastic surgeons recommend waiting at least one year following weight loss surgery before seeking body contouring.

However, it’s also important that patients are able to maintain their new weight following surgery, and the same goes for those who have lost weight through diet and exercise or the use of drugs like Ozempic. In most cases, you must show that you are able to maintain your new weight for approximately six months or longer before inquiring about plastic surgery to remove sagging skin.

How much is skin removal surgery?

Skin removal surgery cost really varies. For example, the cost of removing excess skin on one or two areas of the body is going to be far less than full body skin removal surgery cost.

Price also depends on surgeon’s fees, anesthesia fees, facility costs (where applicable), and other expenses like the purchase of compression garments and medications.

Call to Schedule a Consultation Appointment

Those considering skin reduction after losing weight must undergo a comprehensive evaluation by a board certified plastic surgeon to determine if they are suitable candidates.

To schedule your body contouring and skin removal consultation appointment with board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Matthew Schulman today, please give our office a call and we would be glad to get you on the schedule.

References

https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/blog/four-questions-to-ask-before-you-consider-body-contouring