After Weight Loss

One of the newer challenges I have encountered is dealing with the patient after massive weight loss, following weight loss surgery or diet. These patients offer unique challenges in dealing with excess skin. It is very important to wait until the patient has reached a stable and sustainable weight, and is otherwise physically well and recovery. This is usually one year or more after gastric bypass or lap band surgery.

Massive weight loss patients often need skin removed from the abdomen, arms, thighs, breast/chest, neck and face, as well as buttocks. Many of the procedures described in detail in other sections of the website are appropriate. These include Abdominoplasty, Breast Lift/ Mastopexy, Brachioplasty (Arm Lift), Facelift and Necklift, and Liposuction. There are a few additional procedures that apply specifically to these patients as well.

Circumferential Abdominoplasty, or Lower Body Lift, is a type of extended abdominoplasty where the incision extends completely around the patient's body in the bikini line. In addition to the Abdominoplasty/ tummy tuck, excess skin is removed from above the hips and buttocks, and the lower body tissues are lifted upwards, like a pair of pants. This procedure is only done in the hospital, and all patients stay at least overnight. The operation takes about three hours, and an epidural or general anesthetic is required. Two to three weeks off of work is suggested. Pain is similar to an Abdominoplasty.

Another procedure specifically for these patients is the Thigh Lift. An Inner Thigh Lift is done by excising a crescent of loose skin in the groin crease (where the thigh meets the body), and fixing the thigh skin the deep layers. This procedure takes 1-2 hours, and is done in a hospital so that you can stay 1-2 days. It is not a very painful procedure, but I do not like you to walk much the first few days, as the scar often can become wide.

The outer thigh lift is done in the bikini line by the hip. This procedure is less painful, can be done as an outpatient, but still requires a minimum of a week off from work. All stitches are underneath the skin and dissolve on there own.

The key to a successful outcome is making sure you do the procedure when weight loss is complete, and your health is optimized. I will work with your Bariatric Surgeon and/or Weightloss Specialist to insure that complications are minimized.