Body Contouring & Plastic Surgery After Weight Loss
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When people lose a large amount of weight in a relatively short period of time, particularly after bariatric weight loss surgery or through semaglutide injections (Wegovy), they usually are left with vast amounts of excess skin. The weight loss associated with bariatric surgery is life-changing, improving a patient’s overall health by losing a hundred pounds or more. Unfortunately, this leaves the patient “wearing” skin that fits his or her previous body frame but doesn’t reflect the dramatic changes weight loss provides.
Through a specialized combination of plastic and cosmetic surgery procedures, Dr. Jason Lichten, our board-certified plastic surgeon, is able to contour your body and “tailor” your skin to fit the new you. Body contouring after weight loss is accomplished the same way that you tailor your clothes, but instead of inserting a pleat, the excess skin is removed and stitched back together. Depending on your areas of concern, post-bariatric body contouring often requires multiple surgeries for your skin to fit your reduced body size. While scars in the areas where the skin is removed is the trade-off for an improved body contour and the ability to comfortably fit into new clothes, Dr. Lichten works to make scarring as minimal as possible, and most patients say the results are ultimately worth it.
Dr. Lichten is committed to providing the best possible experience for our patients and treatment plans that are fully customized for each individual’s unique needs and goals. Our plastic surgeon conducts all surgical consults, treatments, and follow-up appointments himself to ensure patients know that he is with them throughout all steps of the treatment process.
Plastic Surgery After Weight Loss from Wegovy® and Semaglutide Injections
Millions of people have taken advantage of a new treatment for weight loss that has shown extraordinary promise. Injectable solutions such as Wegovy contain an ingredient called Semaglutide, which imitates the body’s GLP-1 hormone. Semaglutide has been used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes for many years due to its ability to help regulate blood sugar. Its effects can also include weight loss since Semaglutide acts as an appetite suppressant and helps improve metabolism. Once it became available solely as a weight loss solution, many individuals signed up for treatment and experienced significant weight loss as a result. However, similar to the effects of massive weight loss after bariatric surgery, patients who lose large amounts of weight from Semaglutide treatment programs may also develop loose, sagging skin that collect in numerous body areas. If you are experiencing these concerns after Wegovy or other weight loss treatment regimens that involve Semaglutide injections, Dr. Lichten can help. With the many body reshaping options available from our practice, Dr. Lichten can help you complete your transformation and enhance your contours with stunning results.
Below you will find additional information on body reshaping after weight loss and procedures that can be of significant benefit in specific areas. This is by no means an all-inclusive list; Central Ohio Plastic Surgery provides a full range of options that can be part of a customized treatment plan. If you are considering your next steps to achieve the body of your dreams following weight loss, Dr. Lichten will be happy to meet with you for a consultation.
“After losing close to 140 pounds, I needed a tummy tuck. Honestly, I never thought I could afford one or actually go through with it. But just so I could be informed, I met with a couple of plastic surgeons for consults. Dr. Lichten was my last and I knew right away that having the TT was the absolute right decision for me and that he was the best board-certified surgeon for the job. He had that combination of excellent credentials and bedside manner everyone wants. I completely trusted him and I was right to do so. My results are amazing. He made being active and wearing clothes fun again; more importantly, his surgical artistry changed how I feel about staying fit and keeping the weight off. He’s the best.”
“50 year old mother of 1 felt that her stomach was “loose” and that her “clothes don’t fit properly.” She complained that her “stomach was in my way during activities.” After surgery, she feels her “Results are amazing – much better than expected. My stomach has never been this flat, even in high school.” She said Dr. Lichten “and staff have been phenomenal; very supportive though entire process.” She gave her experience and the results a 5/5.”
Belt Lipectomy (Lower Body Lift)
A belt lipectomy, commonly known as a lower body lift, can address several of the most common areas affected by excess, sagging skin after massive weight loss. This treatment focuses on removing loose tissue around the waist, buttocks, and abdominal areas. The remaining skin is pulled taut to create beautiful new contours in the lower part of the body.
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Brachioplasty (Arm Lift)
Excess skin on the upper arms is often an undesirable effect of significant weight loss. Upper arm skin may become loose and begin to sag simply because of age, but also commonly occurs in patients who have had bariatric surgery or Wegovy injections. Dr. Lichten performs brachioplasty (an arm lift) to help correct these cosmetic issues by removing the excess skin beneath the arms and tightening the flabby tissue, as well. Excess fat in the upper arms also may be addressed by a liposuction procedure.
Thigh Lift
Similar to other plastic and cosmetic surgery procedures, such as an arm lift and a tummy tuck, the thigh lift serves to tone sagging skin and flabby tissue following major weight loss. By surgically removing excess skin and tissue, the thighs may become trimmer and more contoured. If you suffer from sagging, bulging skin on your thighs, you might be an excellent candidate for a thigh lift, with or without liposuction.
Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck Surgery) / Panniculectomy
Tummy tuck surgery, medically referred to as abdominoplasty, reduces excess skin in the abdominal region, tightens underlying abdominal muscles, and redrapes the remaining skin for a firmer, flatter appearance. This is one of the most frequently performed body contouring after weight loss procedures since loose, sagging skin has a tendency to collect in the abdomen. Additionally, Dr. Lichten offers panniculectomy procedures to help patients who are suffering from severe cases of overhanging abdominal skin that is creating debilitating medical conditions.
Breast Reduction
Excess fat and skin can dramatically affect the breasts after significant weight loss, often making them too large and pendulous for one’s smaller body frame. Breast reduction surgery can correct these concerns and improve breast proportions.
Butt Lift
Dr. Lichten offers two different techniques for buttock enhancement. The Brazilian butt lift takes excess fat from one area of the body via liposuction and transfers it to the buttocks to add volume and improve their shape. Butt lift surgery can also be performed by removing loose, sagging skin and tightening the remainder for smoother, more defined buttocks.
Facelift
Many individuals may experience a pronounced sagging effect in the skin of the mid- to lower facial area after weight loss that makes one look older than they actually are. Facelift surgery can correct these concerns and smooth the tissues for a more youthful appearance.
Dermal Fillers
It is not uncommon for areas of the face such as the cheeks to lose volume after weight loss, resulting in a “hollow” look. Injectable dermal fillers, like the JUVÉDERM® family of fillers, can restore lost volume to these areas with exceptional results.
How Do I Choose the Best Surgeon for Body Contouring After Weight Loss?
Choosing a surgeon with an extensive amount of training and experience, along with an exceptional record of success, is absolutely imperative when it comes to procedures designed to recontour the body after significant weight loss. It is always a good idea to do a thorough amount of research into your prospective plastic surgeon’s professional biography and list of credentials. Certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery is a strong indication of a doctor’s level of skill, experience, and dedication to the use of proven techniques as well as his commitment to high ethical and safety standards. Dr. Jason Lichten is board-certified and maintains membership in some of the most respected medical organizations in the world. He has also made it one of his top priorities to stand by the patient’s side from the first step of the treatment process to the last. Dr. Lichten performs all patient consultations for these procedures, in addition to the treatments themselves, and will be there during all follow-up appointments to monitor the progression of the healing process and ensure recovery is going smoothly.
To learn more about Dr. Lichten’s background and experience, please feel free to review his professional resumé here.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Body Contouring After Massive Weight Loss
Whether you have lost weight through diet and exercise, bariatric surgery, or with the assistance of GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic® or Wegovy, you are likely left with extra skin that can be bothersome or even symptomatic. Plastic surgery can be useful in making your outside match your renewed sense of health. Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about body contouring after massive weight loss procedures:
I have recently lost a lot of weight. I feel great, but I have a lot of hanging, loose skin. What are my options?
Surgery can be done to contour any area of the body that bothers you. The tradeoff is residual scarring; however, our board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Jason Lichten, strives to make the scars as inconspicuous as possible. The most common treatment options are:
- Abdomen: Belt lipectomy (body lift), abdominoplasty/panniculectomy (tummy tuck)
- Breast: Mastopexy (breast lift), breast augmentation (breast implants), gynecomastia treatment (male breast reduction/ upper body lift)
- Extremities: Brachioplasty (arms/”batwings”), thighplasty (thigh lift), butt lift, liposuction, CoolSculpting®
- Face: Facelift, neck lift, brow lift, blepharoplasty (eyelid lift), BOTOX® Cosmetic and facial fillers (JUVÉDERM) injections
What is the most common order to do these procedures?
The most common post-weight loss surgery my patients request is the belt lipectomy, or “lower body lift.” The second most common involves arm or thigh enhancement combined with procedures focusing on the chest for men or a breast lift for women. The third most common is an arm/thigh procedure plus breast implants for women. Facial procedures are the fourth most commonly requested options.
These surgeries can be done in any order, depending on your individual wishes.
How long do I have to wait after my bariatric surgery/weight loss to have the reconstructive surgery?
Dr. Lichten’s general recommendation is to schedule surgery about 12-18 months after your bariatric surgery, or until your weight loss has plateaued for 2-3 months, although your insurance may have different requirements. You are welcome to consult with our plastic surgeon earlier than that. Many patients find it helpful to have a plan, and it can also help to incentivize their weight loss. If you are having more than one surgery, Dr. Lichten recommends waiting 2-3 months between surgeries to allow your body to fully heal.
Does insurance cover the surgeries?
All insurance plans are different. We recommend you call the phone number on the back of your insurance card and ask them to check coverage and benefits for your particular plan, as some plans specifically exclude post-bariatric reconstruction.
In our experience, insurance companies rarely cover breast lift, thighs, and arms. We have never seen insurance cover facial procedures, breast augmentation, CoolSculpting, or injections. Insurance will sometimes cover a panniculectomy (stomach) and breast reduction, if symptoms have been documented and conservative treatments have failed. Although we can’t speak to the specifics of any one plan, we have noted that insurance companies are looking for documented symptoms like back, neck, and shoulder pain; rashes and infections in the skin folds; and grooving in the shoulders. Conservative therapies can include topical lotions or antibiotics, NSAIDs, muscle relaxers, visits to a chiropractor, or physical therapy.
What else do I have to do before having body contouring surgery?
Aside from reaching a stable weight, candidates for body contouring surgery should be in stable medical health (you will need to get medical clearance from your primary care physician). You should also have all nutritional and metabolic issues related to the weight loss surgery under control. To minimize the risks of having wound healing issues after surgery, you must avoid smoking, tobacco and nicotine in all forms for 4 weeks before and after surgery and you should have good overall nutrition with high protein intake. Additionally, you need to make sure you are realistic in your expectations of what this surgery will do.
What is the recovery like? What is my downtime?
Although every patient’s experience is different, generally you can expect about 2-3 days of pain and 2-3 weeks tapering off the pain medication and resumptions of regular activities. In 2-3 months, you should be able to resume all regular activity.
Is this surgery in-patient or can I go home?
Whether you stay overnight for one night or go home on the day of surgery will typically be determined by the length of your surgery. For longer surgeries, patients may need to stay overnight so hospital staff can manage their pain and the first stages of their recovery.
What qualifications should I look for in a reconstructive surgeon?
You want to start with a surgeon who is board certified in plastic surgery, such as Dr. Lichten. From there, make sure they seem like someone you can trust and who makes you feel comfortable. He or she should also have good experience with body contouring procedures and be able to work with you to produce optimal results.
Learn more about Dr. Lichten’s extensive background, credentials, and professional experience.
If you have questions about our body contouring after weight loss treatments, or if you are ready to schedule a consultation with Dr. Lichten, please contact our practice today.
