Weight loss is a major life change and a big step towards a healthier future. Did you know that they are common for people who have lost a heavy weight to have plastic surgery to remove excessive skin? We are here with the expert, the plastic surgeon of Beidas Beidas, MD, to guide you on some of the most common plastic surgery procedures to remove excessive skin after weight loss, along with answers to some frequent questions.
Plastic Surgery procedures to be taken into account after weight loss
First, Dr. Beidas provides information on many of the plastic surgeries that can be considered after the loss of significant weight.
In his own words, Dr. Beidas explains every process:
- Paniciclelectomy: This is a process that we usually perform through insurance. It involves removing the skin from the lower abdomen, similar to a commander, which is usually referred to as a “abdomen”. Insurance will not cover muscle tightening (making the function complete) or liposuction, but this can be added at the same time for the appropriate candidates.
- Tummy Tuck (abdominal surgery): This involves removing the skin from the lower abdomen, repositioning the abdominal button and muscle tightening. It is almost always in combination with liposuction to give a nicely landscaped belly.
- Fleur-de-Laws: In addition to a horizontal scar with panicide/symboling, a fleur-de-lingu is a vertical scar to remove excess central belly skin that will not only be treated with traditional low horizontal scar.
- Body Lift or 360: As the name suggests, this procedure includes a horizontal scar on the entire lower trunk that is peripheral, which means that the whole body passes. This is used to lift the outer thighs and to shape buttocks other than the abdomen. If a patient wishes greater the fullness of the buttocks after weight loss, we can perform an automatic sensitivity where we use the tissue that other surgeons can reject and reinstall it to the buttocks for tension.
- Upper Back/bra lift elevator: This is a very powerful process and a really undervalued in patients with weight loss. This function continues a scar lifting/reduction of the breast and continues around the upper back. In women, the goal is to hide the scar under the bra strap.
- Bracket/Brachomy elevator: This is the removal of the excess skin from the hands. In patients with weight loss, the scar is located inside the arm – where it would be a jacket seam – and typically extends to the outer chest as close to the body it takes and typically ends in the elbow. In some patients, it may need to be extended beyond the elbow as it moves longer than the body if there is significant loose skin in the forearm.
- Thigh lift: This procedure removes excessive skin from the thighs. There are two general ways in patients with weight loss. The highest reduction in the skin is made by a long incision along the interior of the thigh, like a sewing in a pants, as it will hide better. Another technique used less frequently, as it will not tighten so much, is a scar along the fold of the groin and in the lower buttocks/upper thigh.
Breast processes
- Reduce/lifting the breast: A breast decrease involves removing the skin/gland/fat and repositions the tissue higher to the chest (also lifts the chest), while a lift only involves removing the skin and minimal or no gland. There are various scars to perform this function, from something as minimal as liposuction only in a large anchor scar. Breast reduction is the process with the highest rate of satisfaction with patients with plastic surgery.
- Breast increase: The increase can be made using implants (saline or silicone) or using your own fat (yes, you read this right). Both options are surgeries of the same day, which means you go home on the same day and have a little recovery time. The main difference is that implants are not lifelong devices and will require some maintenance, such as monitoring and likely to require future surgery. By transporting fat, borrow fat from an unwanted area of the body and transfer it to the chest (or to another area). This generally requires 2-3 small functions depending on the desired volume, but has no long-term maintenance, since the tissue is yours. Usually, weight loss patients require a lift. I (Dr. Beidas) can perform an automatic sensitivity using your own tissue to avoid using implants. This is a special technique I learned because of my unique training with the Masters of Plastic Sturgery after weight loss.
- Gynecombs: This is the removal of loose skin and/or fat/gland from a male chest. This process can be performed using a larger scar along the lower fold of the chest or through a small scar around the area.
Frequently questions
Dr. Beidas provided answers to some frequent questions about plastic surgery after weight loss.
How long after weight loss should a patient wait to get plastic surgery?
Dr. Beidas says: “The best results are obtained by patients who have worked hard to lose weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle. This means eating well and working to maintain their weight. The BMI greater than 32 may be candidates for selected functions, but generally they will not get the most.”
How long is the recovery time?
“Recovery time varies depending on the performance of the operation (most procedures require 1-2 weeks of stoppage, while combination procedures may require up to 3 weeks of recovery.
How does the process support patient recovery and healthy lifestyle after weight loss?
According to Dr. Beidas, “Depending on a patient’s lifestyle, loose skin can be an intervention for exercise, daily activities, hygiene and proper clothing adjustment. Studies have proven that these functions can enhance the self -esteem of a patient, quality of life and general well -being.”
How can you and your team support patients with weight loss?
Dr. Beidas says: “We are committed to helping patients go through the final stage of their weight loss trips! Embarrassment around loose skin and I want to help them live their best life!”
Weight Loss Journey begins now
We thank Dr. Beidas for his time and thorough, careful answers. Learn how he and our team can support you on your weight loss journey and request a consultation today.
