Cosmetic surgery to remove extra skin after weight loss
A lot of great things come with losing weight through bariatric surgery: a lighter, slimmer body, more energy, and greatly improved health. However, one less desirable side effect that many patients experience with rapid weight loss is loose, sagging skin. Excess skin folds can be uncomfortable both physically and emotionally, keeping patients from fully enjoying an active lifestyle or wearing form-fitting clothing with confidence.
Body contouring surgery with our board certified cosmetic surgeons at Surgical Arts of Inland Empire and Inland Cosmetic Surgery can remove the excess skin following weight loss, restoring a smoother, firmer and more aesthetically pleasing shape to the body, breasts and face.
Body contouring can help you better enjoy the benefits of weight loss by:
- Removing excess, sagging skin from the arms, body, legs or neck
- Helping clothing and swimsuits fit more comfortably and attractively
- Tightening your tummy and restoring your waistline
- Reducing stretch marks
- Alleviating skin irritation caused by excess skin folds
- Achieving more natural, aesthetically pleasing proportions
- Letting you exercise more comfortably
- Enhancing self-confidence and quality of life
How is post-weight loss body contouring performed?
Body contouring surgery is not a single procedure, but rather a set of cosmetic surgery procedures that are fully personalized to address the areas a patient is most concerned about, alleviate problems caused by excess skin, and restore natural-looking proportions. Common procedure options include:
- Tummy tuck surgery: tightens abdominal muscles & removes excess skin from the lower abdomen
- Breast lift: removes sagging skin, lifts and reshapes breasts with or without breast implants
- Upper arm lift: removes loose, hanging skin from the upper arms
- Lower body lift: removes excess skin, lifts and tightens the abdomen (front and back), buttocks and thighs
- Facelift/neck lift: eliminates sagging jowls and neck skin to restore a more youthful neck and jawline
Learn more about your cosmetic body contouring options at Inland Cosmetic Surgery »
Surgery & recovery information
Our cosmetic surgeons perform body contouring surgery in our private, accredited surgery center. Depending on the procedures you are having and the extent of surgery, an overnight stay may be required. Patients typically return to a desk job about 2 to 3 weeks after a tummy tuck or body lift, but may return sooner after less extensive procedures. A gradual return to exercise is allowed at 4 to 6 weeks. Improvements in body contours are noticeable immediately after surgery, although post-operative swelling will obscure results somewhat at first. Results are close to final within 6 months, although scars will continue to fade for a year more.
Am I a good candidate?
Body contouring surgery is an elective procedure. For a safe surgery and optimal results, it is very important to be physically, emotionally and financially prepared for surgery. In general, you may be a good candidate for post-weight loss body contouring if:
- You have reached your goal weight
- Your weight has remained stable for at least 6 months
- You are in good overall health
- You can take several weeks off for recovery
- You can accept that you will have scars that may be visible when wearing certain clothing
- You are expecting improvements, not perfection
What are the risks?
When performed by an experienced cosmetic surgeon, post-weight loss body contouring has an excellent safety profile, and can help patients further improve their health after bariatric surgery by making exercise more fun and comfortable, and improving self-confidence. However, there are risks involved in any surgery. Risks pertaining to body contouring include:
- General anesthesia risks
- Hematoma (bleeding)
- Infection
- Poor scarring
- Cosmetic variations (i.e., asymmetry)
You can minimize your risks by choosing an experienced, qualified cosmetic surgeon for your procedure and following your doctor’s instructions for rest, activity restrictions, and incision care after surgery.
