Skin removal surgery includes a range of body contouring procedures performed after major weight loss to address excess skin folds on the arms, legs, torso and/or buttocks, helping patients achieve a more natural, aesthetically pleasing shape. If you are burdened by extra skin after losing weight, getting rid of it can dramatically enhance your comfort and self-confidence, help you exercise with greater ease, and improve the way clothing fits.

Our guide below contains helpful information for those considering a skin removal procedure:

What procedures may be involved?

• Lower body lift
• Panniculectomy
• Thigh & buttock lift
• Upper body lift
• Additional procedures

• You have reached your goal weight and your weight has remained stable for at least 6 months.
• You are in good general health. This is for your safety; certain medical conditions can increase risks of surgery.
• You have realistic expectations about surgery. Skin removal can dramatically improve your appearance but will not give you a “perfect” body.
• You understand that you may have visible scars when wearing certain garments, such as swimsuits.
• You are able to take several weeks off to recover.

Post weight loss skin removal is personalized to a patient’s individual needs and goals; no two procedures are exactly alike. Typically, surgery involves a combination of body lifting procedures and is tailored to address a patient’s areas of greatest concern. Your cosmetic surgeon may perform one or more of the following procedures.

Lower body lift (circumferential body lift)

A lower body lift tightens tissues on the abdomen, buttocks, and thighs. It is one of the most common post weight loss procedures, and also one of the most extensive. Surgery involves a long incision, placed just above the hip bone, which runs around the circumference of the body. Through this incision, the cosmetic surgeon tightens stretched abdominal muscles (similar to a tummy tuck(add link)), removes excess, sagging skin from the front and back of the torso, and lifts the remaining tissues to restore a firmer, shapelier lower body appearance.

Panniculectomy

Many weight loss patients are left with a significant “apron” of skin, called a pannus, hanging from below the belly button. A panniculectomy removes this apron of skin to restore a smoother, firmer torso. The incision is similar to that for a tummy tuck, located just above the pubic bone. While a panniculectomy can dramatically improve a patient’s comfort and help clothing fit better, it will not significantly tighten abdominal contours when performed as a standalone procedure.

Thigh & buttock lift

Dramatic weight loss often results in an excess of skin gathered around the buttocks and thighs. A thigh and buttock lift removes excess skin and fat and restores a firmer, smoother, and more slender appearance to the legs and buttocks.

This procedure can help jeans and shorts fit much more comfortably, as well as achieve a more youthful, shapely appearance to the legs and lower body.

Incisions for thigh and buttock lift surgery vary depending on the location and amount of skin to be removed. An experienced cosmetic surgeon will place incisions in the least conspicuous places possible, such as the groin, the natural crease beneath the buttocks or low on the hips, where scars can be concealed by a swimsuit.

Upper body lift procedures

Extra skin on the upper body can result in “bra rolls,” sagging breasts, or loose, hanging skin on the upper arms. Upper body lift surgery targets these areas to restore a firmer, more youthful appearance. Procedure options include:

• Arm lift. Through an incision along the underside of the upper arm, loose skin and excess fat are removed to restore a firmer, shapelier upper arm appearance. Learn more about arm lift surgery.
• Back lift/ bra line lift. This procedure often combines liposuction and skin removal to reduce “bra rolls” and restore a smoother, firmer upper back contour. Incisions are typically located along the bra line, where scars can be easily concealed by clothing.
• Breast lift surgery. Many female patients are bothered by sagging or “deflated” breasts following weight loss. A breast lift removes excess skin and reshapes the breast to achieve a firmer, lifted contour and improve symmetry. Breast implants can be placed during a breast lift to restore lost volume or increase size. Learn more about breast lift surgery.

Depending on your needs, your cosmetic surgeon may recommend other procedures to improve body contours after weight loss, such as: tummy tuck surgery, liposuction, facelift, neck contouring, or feminine rejuvenation.

Life after skin removal & body contouring surgery

Your recovery will depend on the procedures you have as well as the extent of skin removal.

If you are only having an upper arm lift or breast lift, for example, you may be able to return to work within one week and be ready to resume exercise within one month.

More extensive procedures, such as lower body lift, will require a longer recovery and may require a short inpatient stay.

Temporary drains may be placed for the first 1 to 2 weeks to ease swelling, and discomfort can be significant for the first few days.

Pain is well controlled with analgesics and moderate rest.

The areas are usually sore for 5-7 days and is actually numb or has reduced sensations.

A pressure garment or corset is mandatory to be worn 24/7 for a period of 6 weeks or more.

A nutritious diet and adequate fluid intake definitely helps with good energy levels and comfort.

Dressings are necessary every 4th/5th day for approximately 2 weeks.

By the end of 5-7 days, your comfort and energy levels will be near normal and you may be permitted to resume work if your profession involves purely a desk job.

Any strenuous physical activity is restricted for a period of 4-6 weeks.

All strenuous physical activities like running, jogging, going to the gym, swimming and any contact sports are to be restricted for a period of six weeks and should be resumed only after you have been given a green signal from your surgeon.

Even immediately after surgery, the correction of the sagging, flabby lower abdomen to a much flatter outline is definitely noticeable.

The result may be still masked by the swelling due to surgery which will gradually reduce over a period of 4-6 weeks.

Approximately by the end of 2-3 months when the healing is complete and the swelling has completely disappeared, you will see gratifying final results.

During your initial consultation, you will meet with the plastic surgeon and staff.

Your previous surgeries, your medical history, medications you are presently taking, and your overall physical and emotional health will be reviewed, as well as your skin quality.

Photographs may also be taken for your medical record.

Your surgeon will determine what you benefit from most and whether or not additional procedures will be necessary for you to achieve your desired results.

Recovery time, risks and limitations associated with surgery will be also be discussed.

The doctor’s patient coordinator will review surgical costs and scheduling with you.

The most important thing about planning your surgery is to choose the correct qualified Aesthetic plastic surgeon. More specifically, ensure that the chosen surgeon is routinely performing breast lift surgeries.

MEDICATIONS:

You must STOP the following medications approximately 2 weeks before surgery – blood thinners such as ecosprin, clopidogrel, warfarin etc, estrogen containing hormones, Vitamin E, ginseng, green tea, gingko balboa, garlic pearls, ayurvedic supplements.

SMOKING:

It is imperative that you completely stop smoking for a minimum of 1 week prior to your planned date of surgery as it can significantly increase your risk for anaesthesia as well as delay wound healing and increase your risk for post-surgery complications.

FITNESS:

You will be advised a set of routine pre-operative investigations to ensure that you are fit for anaesthesia and surgery.

Once you have decided to pursue surgery, Aesthetic international® stands ready to partner with you during this life decision.

We are dedicated to our patients and open communication is never compromised. The better informed our patients are, the better they are at making their decisions.

We believe in providing the highest patient care and through your assigned patient advisor, you can be sure every consideration is made to ensure your expectations are the same as the final results.

Aesthetic international® has the latest technological advances to ensure your satisfaction with your breast lift. Our plasticsurgeon is highly educated and trained in all of the latest medical advances.