Plastic Surgeon in Atlanta Georgia

Services/Body/Post Weight Loss Contouring

After all the hard work you’ve done to lose weight, treat yourself to body contouring to get rid of loose skin so you can really show off the results of your efforts! Anyone who has had massive weight loss, whether through bariatric surgery or through diet and exercise, has sagging skin in multiple areas: the face and neck, breasts, arms, abdomen, back and thighs. If you’ve had gastric bypass surgery, the elastic tissues of your skin are usually permanently damaged from being stretched to an extreme degree. With body contouring, we can improve the shape of the skin but we cannot improve the quality of the skin. Patients seeking body contouring after massive weight loss must be realistic in their expectations. The tissues will give over time, but not to the same degree as before.

A variety of surgical procedures are often necessary and are often performed at different times, in stages. Depending on which area bothers you the most, the surgery is tailored to fit your needs, starting with the area of greatest concern.

Often an abdominoplasty is done first, though a circumferential lower body lift may be needed instead. Breast lifting surgery, arm lifts, thigh lifts, face lifts and neck lifts are all additional procedures that can be done as well.

Timing and Approach to Body Contouring after Weight Loss

Plastic Surgery procedures should be considered only after your weight has stabilized following bariatric procedure. This is usually 18 months or more, depending on an individual's preoperative weight. Performing a skin tightening procedure prior to weight stabilization may result in the need for further skin tightening in the future.

Recovery

Depending on the type of surgery that was performed, you may be able to go home after spending a few hours in the surgery center or you may need to stay in the hospital 1-2 days. Showering is permitted on the second day after surgery. Pain is mild to moderate and is mostly gone within 7 days and is controlled by medications. Swelling, which is mild to moderate and peaks at 2 to 3 days and diminishes over the next 6 weeks. You can usually resume light activities within the first week, and most activities within 4-6 weeks. You can expect to be out of work for 1-2 weeks, but you will be able to be up and about. Again, the actual recovery process is dictated by the type of contouring procedures you have done at one time.

Results

You will have a tightened, lifted and improved contour to your abdomen, thighs, buttocks, breasts, arms, and any other areas treated. Touch ups and revisions are often necessary. You will be more confident and comfortable in clothing, especially sportswear and jeans. Your final results will be evident 9-12 months after the surgery, when the scars have matured.

The Best Candidates For Plastic Surgery following Massive Weight Loss

Anyone who desires a more youthful appearance through the correction of stretched and sagging skin, and anyone with excess folds of skin after weight loss may be a good candidate for body contouring. The best candidates for body contouring are people who are looking for improvement, not perfection, in the way they look. If you're physically healthy, psychologically stable, and realistic in your expectations, you may be a good candidate.

You’re not alone, and one of Dr. Kavali’s patients wanted to share her story: Click here.