Plastic Surgery After Massive Weight Loss: What You Need To Know

If you’ve recently lost a significant bit of weight, you’re probably dealing with some mixed emotions. On one hand, you’re excited about your new, slimmer, healthier look. But for many patients, massive weight loss also comes with excess, sagging skin–and even residual pockets of fat that simply won’t go away. 

After your massive weight loss, you probably have questions. 

Fortunately, the experienced team at DeLuca Plastic Surgery is here for you. We’ve helped thousands of patients obtain dazzling results after dramatic weight loss–and we can help you too!

Learn all about your plastic surgery options after dramatic weight loss, including how long you should wait, what options are available, and tips to make your new look permanent. 

Let’s dive in!

Body Contouring After Massive Weight Loss

Almost three-quarters of American adults are considered overweight or obese. Being overweight dramatically increases your risk of developing adverse cardiovascular conditions like high blood pressure or heart disease. 

Whether you lost a significant bit of weight through diet, exercise, bariatric surgery, or a combination, you should be proud. You have taken active steps to promote your long-term health! 

However, after losing roughly 100 pounds or more, you’re going to notice excess skin left behind. 

That’s because skin stretches with increased weight gain. The more weight you’ve gained, the more your skin will have stretched. More significant weight loss typically means more excess skin. 

Plus, as many patients know, weight loss doesn’t always happen evenly. 

You’ve probably heard the expression, “first on, last off.” Typically, the first place you add fat is the last place from which it comes off. Some stubborn pockets of fat just won’t come off–no matter what you do. 

So what kind of body contouring procedures are right for patients who have undergone massive weight loss?

Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck)

As we gain weight, the composition of tissues, skin, and fat in our bodies changes. That means even after you’ve lost all that weight (and fat), the skin remains stretched and sagging. 

Whether you need to tighten up your abdomen or shed excess fat for a more even, symmetrical look, abdominoplasty might be the perfect solution for you. 

Abdominoplasty–especially for patients who have recently undergone massive weight loss–focuses on removing the excess skin and fat of the abdomen, as well as repairing the weakened abdominal muscles. 

Read more about abdominoplasty here!

Liposuction

Liposuction is the perfect solution to remove those difficult fat deposits, especially after losing weight. 

The reason liposuction after massive weight loss is so impactful is because it can help restore the slim, toned body contours you’re looking for. 

Liposuction can also tighten up muscle tone, remove the appearance of male breasts, and add definition. 

Best of all, liposuction is not just for the abdomen; it can be used to tone up your arms, legs, thighs, and buttocks!

Read more about liposuction here!

Breast augmentation/lift

After losing a significant amount of weight, you’ll probably notice your breasts are flat, deflated, or drooping. 

A breast augmentation or lift can help restore your breasts to a more youthful, healthy appearance. 

By restoring lost volume and optimizing the size, shape, and fullness of your breasts, we can help you regain your confidence!

Read more: which breast procedure is right for you?

Arm lift & thigh lift

Arm lift, or brachioplasty, can remove floppy, loose arm skin and fat, especially for patients who have just undergone massive weight loss. 

The result is toned, sculpted arms that look–and feel–natural, toned, and attractive. 

Read more about arm lifts here!

A thigh lift, or thigh plasty, focuses on restoring a sculpted, toned look to the upper and inner thighs. 

Thigh lifts are often combined with other procedures, like liposuction or arm lifts, for a more symmetrical, comprehensive body restoration. 

Read more about thigh lifts here!

Facelift/neck lift

The face, and the neck, are two of the more noticeable areas where excess skin causes discomfort for patients. 

After massive weight loss, the stretched skin around your face starts to sag, causing pronounced jowls or “turkey neck.”

A facelift or neck lift can tighten up the skin around your face and neck and restore a healthy, youthful appearance to match the rest of your body. 

Read more about facelifts and neck lifts here!

How Long Should You Wait After Massive Weight Loss Before Surgery?

After massive weight loss, defined as 100 pounds or more or 40% or more of your total body mass, most patients are anxious to get rid of their excess skin and start living with their slimmer, lighter bodies. 

However, patients should be at or near their target body weight–and have maintained that weight for 3-6 months before considering any additional procedures. 

More importantly, plastic surgery isn’t designed for weight loss. It’s designed to help patients improve their overall body appearance or aesthetic. 

Before considering any cosmetic procedure after weight loss, patients should:

•Be in good health

•Have realistic expectations and a positive outlook

•Have established and maintained weight loss

•Be a non-smoker or abstain from tobacco use

Tips to Keep Your Look Post-Op

Arguably the biggest concern with post-weight loss plastic surgery is keeping the weight off. 

Gaining any or all of the weight back can cancel out all the transformative work–and operations–you’ve worked so hard for. 

With that said, the best tips to keep your post-operative look after massive weight loss are:

•Follow your physicians’ recommendation: whether your bariatric surgeon prescribes a reduced-calorie diet or your plastic surgeon recommends rest and recovery, listen to what they say!

•Diet: especially if you’ve had bariatric surgery, you’ll notice you simply can’t eat as much as you could when you were at a heavier weight. However, failure to adhere to a healthy, lower-calorie diet can cause the stomach to swell. Be sure to drink lots of water and eat lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy proteins. 

•Exercise: once you’ve recovered from your plastic surgery procedures, you should strive for at least 30 minutes of mild-to-moderate exercise every day. This is especially important if you’re consuming more calories than recommended. Exercise can help you burn off everything you take in!

•Follow up with your physicians: while the specific care you’ll need depends on the procedure(s) performed, it’s important to attend all your follow-up appointments. Your doctor will be able to ensure you’re charting the right course for long-term health and body maintenance. 

Ready For Your New Look? Schedule A Consultation Today!

The results from plastic surgery after massive weight loss can be life-changing. 

However, it’s important to remember that it’s not a magic fix: patients still need to adhere to dietary and lifestyle changes in order to make their body transformation stick. 

If you’ve recently lost a significant amount of weight and are considering cosmetic procedure(s) to achieve the look you want, DeLuca Plastic Surgery can guide you through the process from start to finish. 

Schedule an in-person, phone-in, or “instant” email consultation today, and be well on your way to the body of your dreams!