What are common procedures performed following significant weight loss?

 

Because large fluctuations in weight can affect the entire body, patients who lose significant weight often have several areas that can benefit from body contouring. The following are common areas affected and procedures that address skin excess and volume deflation

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• Arms and excess skin in "Bra Line"- Brachioplasty AKA "Upper Arm Lift"

• Breasts- Breast Augmentation and/or Breast Lift

• Abdomen and Back- Abdominoplasty, Body Lift, and Upper Back Lift 

• Legs- Medial Thigh Lift

• Buttocks- Butt Augmentation or Buttock Lift

• Face - Face and Neck Lift

 

It is common that a patient will want to address many/all of these areas. For safety reasons and to assist with comfortable healing, addressing several of these areas is commonly broken up into stages (multiple surgeries that combine two or three areas at a time). This decreasing operative time, increases safety, and also improves overall patient experience. 

 

 

What are common areas that are addressed together?

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There are a few areas that are not ideal to address at the same time due to unfavorable tension or increased discomfort, but in general most of these surgeries can be combined based on patient preference with few exceptions. 

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Common areas that are addressed together in the same stage include:

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• Arms, Bra line and Breasts

• Abdomen and Breasts

• Abdomen, Back, and Buttocks

• Face and Breasts

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A consultation with your Plastic Surgeon is always the best way to customize a plan for you to address all areas of concern!

 

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How long do you have to wait in between stages of Body Contouring?

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In general, patients will wait at least 3 months in between surgeries to allow for full healing from the original stage, and this can vary from patient to patient. For example, a patient who had their Arms and Breasts contoured in January can plan to have their Abdomen and Back contoured in Late March or Early April of that year. 

 

 

How long after Weight Loss Surgery can I have a body contouring procedure?

 

Following a Weight Loss Surgery (i.e. Gastric Bypass, Gastric Sleeve), weight can fluctuate for up to one year. Therefore, waiting at least one year following weight loss surgery AND waiting until weight has been stable without significant fluctuations for 6 months is recommended. 

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How long after Pregnancy can I have a body contouring procedure?

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Following Pregnancy, you generally want to wait until at least 6 months following pregnancy and until weight is stable for several months. For Breast Surgery, patients should also wait 3-6 months following the last session of breast feeding to have any breast surgery performed. It is advisable to wait until your are done with planned pregnancies in the near future to have any contouring procedures, as additional pregnancies may cause additional changes to areas that are addressed.  

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How long is recovery following Body Contouring Surgery?

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Healing time will vary based on the patient and their individual healing process, but most patients are done with the "major downtime" in 1-2 weeks and back to full activity in 6 weeks following the procedure. 

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