What is body-contouring surgery after massive weight loss?
Undergoing surgical body contouring with Dr. Shridharani in New York City following major weight loss removes excess sagging skin and fat which improves the shape of the patient by allowing the underlying support structures of your body to shine through. The result is a more normal appearance with smoother contours and less bulky skin and fat.
What is bariatric or weight reduction surgery?
Bariatric or weight reduction surgery involves several different options including gastric bypass and lap band procedures which allows a patient to loose a significant amount of weight in a quicker amount of time than diet and exercise alone. Not only does bariatric surgery allow for patients to look and feel better, but many patients’ overall health improves as well. Significant weight loss in the right patient has many benefits, but after weight reduction surgery, or any substantial amount of weight loss, the skin and tissues often lack the elasticity to conform to the reduced body size. This results in excess skin in all areas of the body.
Watch Dr. Shridharani Perform Post-Massive Weight Loss Body Contouring Surgery
I have lost weight and have excess skin, am I candidate for plastic surgery with Dr. Shridharani to remove the unsightly skin?
If you find you have excess skin after bariatric surgery, massive weight loss, or pregnancy you may be a candidate for body-contouring surgery with Dr. Shridharani in Manhattan.
What are my options for excess skin removal?
The face, abdomen, breast, arms, thighs are the most common areas where excess skin is found after weight loss. A face and/or neck lift, also known as a rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure that improves the excess skin and signs of aging in the jawline and neck. An abdominoplasty, or a tummy tuck, is a procedure that tights the abdominal muscles and removes the excess abdominal skin and fat. A panniculectomy is a procedure that removes excess skin and fat of the abdomen without tightening the abdominal muscles. Many women find their breasts become saggy after weight loss. A Mastopexy or breast lift will improve the look of saggy breasts. A breast reduction will help reduce the size of the breasts if the breasts remain large even after a significant weight loss. A brachioplasty or arm lift is a procedure to remove excess skin from the arms. A thigh lift removes the excess skin from the thighs. These procedures can be combined with liposuction to enhance the results. Many patients find after an arm or thigh lift they look much slimmer and firmer.
Can I exercise after my procedure?
Usually patients can resume light cardio activity after four weeks and full activity six weeks after surgery. Many patients find their exercise regimen actually improves dramatically because the excess skin that has been weighing them down for many years will be gone. Also, after skin removal surgery many patients are able to see the toned muscles that they have worked so hard to achieve!
Who would be a good candidate for post-bariatric surgery body contouring?
When a person has done the hard work of losing a large amount of weight, whether through bariatric surgery or lifestyle changes, it can be really disappointing to see the loose, hanging skin that is a leftover from the person’s heavier days. The problem is the skin has been overstretched for a long period of time, and this has made it inelastic. It now can’t shrink down to match the new slimmer contours of the person’s smaller body. That’s where a body contouring surgery with Dr. Shridharani can change the situation. Body contouring or a body lift are simply terms to describe a variety of potential surgeries — everything from a tummy tuck and thigh lift to a breast lift and arm lift — combined into a single surgical session.
If a person is considering a body lift, they should have lost between 30 to 50 percent of their peak body weight. There should be loose, drooping skin and tissue across the abdomen, probably the thighs, buttocks, breasts, upper arms, and other areas. Your weight should have been stable for a period of time, usually two years, to ensure you will not regain weight after this surgery. This also allows your skin to adjust as much as it can before any surgery is considered.
These are involved surgeries targeting multiple areas, so patients need to be in good overall health, both to handle the stress of the surgery and the subsequent recovery. You shouldn’t smoke, as this can interfere with your incision healing.
Good candidates also need to be realistic about what these procedures can achieve. Yes, your contours will be slimmed to your new smaller body shape, but there will be some lengthy incision scars. Body contouring surgery also involves a difficult recovery.
How soon after a gastric bypass can I have body contouring surgery?
After weight-loss surgery, your weight will need to have been stable for a period of at least one year. You also shouldn’t need or plan to lose any additional weight. Ideally, a patient should wait two years after having weight-loss surgery to allow the skin to shrink down as much as possible before body lift surgery.
How should I prepare for body contouring surgery?
This a major surgical session with Dr. Shridharani. As such, you’ll prepare as you would for any surgery by stopping taking any blood thinners, anti-inflammatory medications, and most supplements for a period of one week prior to your surgery. If you smoke, you’ll need to stop for at least two weeks prior to and after your surgery, as smoking constricts blood vessels and can seriously impede healing.
Most of your preparation needs to position for your recovery. These surgeries involve long incisions, especially for the tummy tuck, and you will not be able to lift anything over a few pounds for a period of weeks. Walking upstairs will be out of the question for at least a couple weeks. So, if your bedroom is upstairs, you’ll need to set up a temporary bedroom downstairs. You want to create a really comfortable recovery nest, filled with pillows, blankets, and lots of entertainment. You’ll need to arrange someone to take over your duties around the house for a few weeks. You’ll want to fill your prescriptions prior to your surgery. You need to plan for at least two full weeks of being basically bedridden, with only some light exercise such as walking.
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"I could not have been happier to have been put in contact with this amazing practice. From the second you walk in the door, you feel comfortable and welcomed and know that you will be well taken care of. Dr.S and his staff go above and beyond to make the experience a breeze and explain everything so well to make sure you are comfortable! I’ve had two surgery’s so far with Dr.S and could never imagine going anywhere else!"
What will my recovery be like after body contouring surgery?
Your recovery will be involved, not matter what procedures you and Dr. Shridharani agree should be part of your body contouring.
A body lift is a major surgical session, maybe two. Patients typically will spend one to three nights in the hospital following surgery. Drains are placed beneath the skin to remove excess blood and serum and usually remain in place for one to two weeks. A compression garment will need to be worn to provide support, reduce swelling, and help the body and skin adjust to its new slimmer contour. Any lifting and strenuous activity will need to be avoided for about four to six weeks. Full results can take up to one year to show themselves, as the body continues to adapt.
As discussed above, when planning for your recovery, you’ll need to plan to be fully immobile for the first few days. You won’t be able to lift anything more than a bag of sugar. No stairs for a couple weeks at least. It’s best to create a recovery nest somewhere downstairs if you have a two-story home. You’ll need help around the house for at least two weeks.
Dr. Shridharani and our team will discuss all of this your consultation and in the time leading up to your surgery date, but these are involved recoveries and you need to expect that. The good news? It’s only a single recovery for multiple surgeries, and you’ll love the result when you are fully recovered.
Are there any risks involved with body contouring following weight loss surgery?
This is a comprehensive mix of surgical procedures combined into a single surgical session, maybe two. There are some risks. There are the risks inherent with all surgeries: excessive bleeding, poor incision healing, infection, and reaction to anesthesia. Specific to body lift or body contouring surgery, these are the risks:
- Fat necrosis — Body lift surgery can disrupt the fat cells deep within your skin and tissue, cutting off their blood supply and destroying them. These cells can become stiff or irregularly shaped and may need additional surgery to remove them.
- Skin necrosis — Similar to fat necrosis, the skin cells at your surgical sites may become deformed and discolored if they are cut off from the proper nutrients. This will show itself in skin blistering, peeling, or turning black. Skin necrosis is more prevalent in smokers.
- Deep vein thrombosis — Large blood clots can form in your legs, and they can travel to other areas of your body such as your heart, brain, or your lungs. Walking and other movement and care during your recovery minimizes the potential for thrombosis.
- Rectus diastasis — When muscle, fat, tissue, and skin in the midsection area are modified in a body lift, this can weaken the abdominal muscles, and they may sag or separate. This can usually be prevented with exercise, but in extreme cases, additional surgery could be necessary.
- Uneven incision healing — In some cases, the lengthy incisions involved with body lift surgery can heal unevenly. This is typically caused by placing too much strain on an incision by rushing recovery. Patience is important during your recovery.
Ready to get started?
Ready to learn more about post weight loss surgery and find out if you are a good candidate? Call 212.508.0000 to schedule a consultation with board certified NYC Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Shridharani.