BODY CONTOURING AFTER WEIGHT LOSS
Following significant weight loss, many patients experience deflation and sagging of several key cosmetic areas of the body. Fluctuations of weight up and down with diet and exercise, following pregnancy, or after weight loss surgery results in stretching of the skin, which is often permanent. Creating a custom plan to address these areas of stretching and deflation can lead to significant transformations and can positively impact patient comfort and body self image.
On a personal note, taking care of patients following significant weight loss is one of my favorite parts of this profession. Helping patients who have put so much hard work into weight loss feel healthier and more comfortable in their own skin is truly rewarding and has been one of the greatest joys of being a Plastic Surgeon.
-Dr. Walker
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"
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Breasts- Breast Augmentation and/or Breast Lift
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Abdomen and Back- Abdominoplasty, Body Lift, and Upper Back Lift
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Legs- Medial Thigh Lift
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Buttocks- Butt Augmentation or Buttock Lift
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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?
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.
Common areas that are addressed together in the same stage include:
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Arms, Bra line and Breasts
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Abdomen and Breasts
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Abdomen, Back, and Buttocks
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Face and Breasts
A consultation with your Plastic Surgeon is always the best way to customize a plan for you to address all areas of concern!
How long do you have to wait in between stages of Body Contouring?
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.
How long after Pregnancy can I have a body contouring procedure?
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 you 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.
How long is recovery following Body Contouring Surgery?
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.
Body Contouring after Weight Loss-Before and Afters
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How visible will the scars be after my procedure? Is the benefit worth the required scars?
At Walker Plastic Surgery, we care about your scars almost as much as you do. As a Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Walker takes pride in optimizing every scar to its best potential. Each patient will naturally be prone to making a certain type of scar color, thickness, and width, but our promise at Walker Plastic Surgery is to do everything in our power to make the scars as hidden, as small, and as blended as possible to the surrounding skin. To do this, we use a multi stage evaluation and treatment method consisting of scar evaluations throughout your healing process. Using industry leading technology, we counsel and provide our patients with access to multiple scar reducing treatments including:
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High quality, low tension skin closure and well designed scars
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Early application of Medical Grade scar cream
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Medical Grade Suncreen to prevent sun damage to sun exposed scars
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Steroid injections as needed for scars that are raised or thicker than desired
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Microneedling and/or Morpheus 8 Radiofrequency Microneedling for thickened scars or poor scar texture
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Laser IPL Treatments for red pigment in scars
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Hydroquinone lightening cream for brown pigment in scars
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Scar revisions, usually under local anesthesia, for areas of scars less than optimal after final healing.
The scar healing process takes approximately 1-2 years from surgery to final result, and therefore we offer our patients multiple evaluations during the healing process so that proper treatments at the proper times for the best healing possible. With this multi stage evaluation and treatment scar program, we continue to put emphasis into producing the highest quality scars possible for our patients. Don't let the fear of a scar prevent you from having the shape and contour you deserve!
Examples of Long Term Scar Results after Optimization
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To schedule an appointment, online consultation, or learn more about a Body Contouring following Weight Loss, please Contact Us or call/text us at (469) 899-8758.
What financing options exist for treatments at Walker Plastic Surgery?
Walker Plastic Surgery has partnered with Care Credit to help our patients finance the costs of their procedures. The CareCredit card is North America’s leading patient payment program. The CareCredit card is easy to use, includes no hidden costs, and can be applied towards both surgical costs and follow-up appointments.
Through their website, you can access tools like the payment calculator and even find out if you qualify for a CareCredit card by starting a commitment free, instant application.