4 Minute Read:
Losing any amount of weight is something to celebrate, especially since weight loss is difficult. This is especially true for women and men who lose a substantial amount of weight, whether through natural diet and exercise or with bariatric surgery (such as gastric bypass surgery).
If you have recently lost a significant amount of weight quickly, you know the feeling of pride you have for accomplishing this goal; however, you also know the frustrating after effects: unsightly sagging skin and exercise-resistant pockets of fat.
The good news about these post-weight-loss cosmetic frustrations is that they can be addressed and corrected with cosmetic surgery so that you can truly achieve the contours you desire.
After cosmetic surgery, you can find yourself with more confidence than ever before so that you can show off your stunning results with a smile.
This blog will look at cosmetic options patients have after losing substantial weight.
Why Do You Have Sagging Skin and Excess Fat After Sudden Weight Loss?
Whether through diet and exercise or weight loss surgery, subcutaneous fat may be destroyed or minimized; however, the skin cannot adjust to the body’s new figure. This is most often caused by a lack of elasticity in the skin — if the skin has been stretched for a long period, it is often unable to adjust to the fat-reduced figure.
This is most noticeable in women and men in their middle age and older, as the production of certain necessary proteins in the skin (collagen and elastin) has slowed.
Additionally, some stubborn fat is resistant to exercise and diet, and bariatric surgery is often unable to remove all of the fat in the body. Fortunately, this remaining fat can be removed with cosmetic procedures like liposuction surgery.
What Are Your Cosmetic Options After Significant Weight Loss?
Because every patient struggles with different cosmetic concerns after significant weight loss, there are several surgical procedures available to ensure that you look and feel how you want.
Here are some of the most common and effective procedures available:
Tummy Tuck
After substantial weight loss, many women and men have sagging skin and excess fat in their midsections. Tummy tuck surgery is a procedure in which liposuction is used to remove remaining fat, the underlying abdominal muscles are tightened, excess skin is surgically removed from the tummy, and the remaining skin is tightened to create a more toned and contoured appearance.
Body Lift
For women and men who suffer from more substantial post-weight-loss cosmetic concerns, body lift surgery (also known as an extended abdominoplasty) may be required. This procedure takes the same concept of a tummy tuck (removing stubborn fat, tightening muscles, removing the skin, and tightening the remaining skin) and extends it beyond just the tummy.
Because of this, a body lift addresses the tummy, flanks, love handles, hips, and lower back, allowing you to transform your entire core.
Thigh and Butt Lift Surgery
Many women and men struggle with unsightly sagging skin on their lower body (legs and buttocks).
With thigh lift surgery, excess fat and tissue, as well as excess and sagging skin on the upper legs, are removed, and the remaining skin is pulled tightly to create definition in the legs.
Similarly, with butt lift surgery, stubborn fat and tissue are removed, and remaining tissue is tightened to create a more contoured and attractive backside.
Both of these procedures can help you feel more confident with your new figure.
Breast Lift
After massive weight loss, many women experience sagging breasts. Breast lift surgery (mastopexy) is a procedure in which breast tissue is repositioned, and excess and sagging skin is surgically removed. This procedure can help you achieve a more natural and beautiful breast appearance.
Arm Lift
Many women and men experience sagging skin on the underside of their upper arms after losing weight. This can create the appearance of “bat wings,” which can be embarrassing.
Arm lift surgery (brachioplasty) is a procedure that removes the excess skin and tightens the tissues to give you more slender and contoured arms that help to balance your entire appearance.
What to Do After Your Weight Loss?
Once you have finished your weight loss journey and maintained a stable weight for several months, it is time to achieve the contoured body you have always dreamed of. The first step in achieving this goal is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Andreasen, who will help you decide which procedure(s) is right for you. Dr. Andreasen and his team will be with you for every step of your cosmetic process to help you feel proud, confident, and comfortable with your body!
Want to Learn More?
If you have lost a significant amount of weight and are ready to take the next step and achieve the contoured figure you desire, then contact our office at (909) 291-4900 or schedule a consultation online today!
