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! Sagging skin following weight loss can affect any part of the body: the face and neck, breasts, arms, abdomen, back and thighs. As such, we often combine multiple procedures to address the different areas affected by your weight loss journey.

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. Your surgeon will explain your options and discuss which combination of procedures may be right for you.

Common procedures utilized to address excess skin following weight loss include:

• Upper Body Lift

  If you notice loose skin in your upper back of bra line, an upper body lift can give you a smoother, more toned appearance.
  Learn More About Body Lift Surgery

• Breast Lift/ Lift with Augmentation

  Weight loss can leave the breasts saggy or deflated. Breast lift surgery can restore the breasts to a more youthful look and reposition the nipples. This can also be combined with breast implants if more volume is desired.
  Learn More About Breast Lift Surgery

• Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)

  A tummy tuck is a procedure to remove excess skin from the stomach while also repairing and tightening the abdominal muscles. This is one of the most popular procedures for post-weight loss patients.
  Learn More About Tummy Tuck Surgery

• Lower Body Lift

  If you are bothered by loose skin on your lower back and buttocks, a lower body lift can give you a defined, contoured appearance. This procedure can give you a lifted, smoother look.
  Learn More About Lower Body Lift Surgery

• Brachioplasty

  If loose skin on your upper arms causes you to avoid waving hello or has you worried about how you look in short sleeves, an arm lift can give your arms a leaner, more toned look.
  Learn More About Arm Lift Surgery

• Thigh Lift

  Loose skin on the thighs can cause uncomfortable chafing and make it difficult to work out and perform other activities. A thigh lift can remove excess skin and give you a lean look.
  Learn More About Thigh Lift Surgery

It is common for post weight loss patients and other people who lost weight quickly to experience sagging skin, which can prevent you from enjoying your weight loss. Benefits of post weight loss surgery include:

• A leaner, more toned look
• Removal of excess skin
• A more youthful appearance
• Relief from physical discomfort
• The ability to wear a greater variety of clothing
• Increased confidence

In addition to deciding whether post weight loss surgery can meet your personal goals, there are several factors to be considered in determining whether you are a good candidate for these procedures overall. Good candidates for post weight loss surgery include those who:

• Have maintained a stable weight for at least 6 months
• Are in good general health overall
• Have realistic expectations for surgery
• Have good nutrition and protein intake
• Are nonsmokers ore are willing to stop smoking before surgery

While post weight loss surgery can address a variety of concerns, it does have limitations. It is important to know these limitations and to understand when you may be a candidate for a different type of surgery. You may not be a good candidate for post weight loss surgery if you:

• Are still losing weight
• Have poor nutrition or protein intake
• Are a smoker or use nicotine products

Your recovery will vary depending on which procedures are part of your treatment plan. Your surgeon will review recovery expectations with you during your consultation appointment, including how much time you should plan to devote to recovery. After your surgery she will give you detailed post-op instructions and schedule follow-up appointments to monitor your progress.

It is important to know that skin quality changes during weight gain and stretching of the skin 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 understand the limitations of their skin quality. The tissues will give over time, but not to the same degree as before. It is also important to know that post weight loss surgery is truly a journey. It typically involves several stages of surgery to address all of your concerns. In addition, because skin quality is not the same after weight gain as it was beforehand, these surgeries often require revisions or tailoring after the index procedure. Having a healthy set of expectations with regard to the surgical process and its limitations is paramount to ensuring your overall satisfaction.