If you have lost a significant amount of weight, congratulations! You’ve taken an important and often difficult step to improving your health. While many individuals are more satisfied with their appearance after weight loss, there are some cosmetic concerns that can be present once you reach your ideal body weight. You may notice hanging skin around your abdomen, arms, or thighs. Loose skin after weight loss is especially common for individuals who underwent bariatric surgery, but can occur any time a person loses a significant amount of weight quickly. Luckily, there are surgical solutions for sagging skin that can help you love the way your body looks and help you start enjoying the results of your weight loss.
You may wish to undergo just one type of surgery if you only notice extra skin in one area your body. However, most patients have multiple different areas where they notice loose skin after weight loss. Body contouring surgery typically combines several procedures to achieve a total body transformation.
Some surgical corrections that may be included are:
Facelift/Neck Lift
Most post-weight loss surgery focuses on the body, but you may also notice loose skin around your face and neck after you’ve lost weight. This hanging skin can make you look older and otherwise impact your confidence. If this is the case for you, you may want to consider a facelift for the skin on your lower face and neck.
Brachioplasty (Arm Lift)
A brachioplasty (arm lift) tightens loose skin that may hang below your upper arms. It will target the area between your arm pit and your elbow and may also include some chest sculpting depending on your situation. We will place the incision so it blends in as much as possible with the natural contours of your arm.
Mastopexy (Breast Lift)
Female patients may notice that their breasts begin to sag after significant weight loss. A mastopexy (breast lift) can lift and reshape your breasts while removing any loose skin in this area. You may also wish to change the size of your breasts at the same time. Some patients lose volume during weight loss and choose to undergo breast augmentation. Others may notice that their breasts are now too large for their smaller frame and will opt for a breast reduction.
Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)
Loose skin around the abdomen is common after massive weight loss. An abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) addresses this issue by tightening the skin and muscles in the area. If your hips are also a concern, an extended tummy tuck can resolve this problem.
Thighplasty (Thigh Lift)
Thighplasty (thigh lift) surgery can give you sculpted legs and corrects sagging, dimpled, or flabby thighs. This may be part of an overall lower body lift which targets the buttocks and thighs at the same time.
When to Consider Plastic Surgery After Weight Loss
After losing weight, it is often a good idea to wait for at least a year before undergoing plastic surgery. This is to allow your weight to fully stabilize. However, this can vary depending on your specific circumstances. A consultation with our plastic surgeons can help you determine whether body contouring surgery is the right option for you.
Skilled Body Contouring Surgeons in Tucson, AZ
Dr. Hess and Dr. Sandeen are highly-skilled board-certified plastic surgeons in Tucson, AZ. We can help correct sagging skin due to weight loss using a variety of surgical techniques.
If you notice loose skin after weight loss, contact us today to schedule a consultation.
