Beauty Doc Blog

Loose skin after a significant loss of weight is a common problem and one that cosmetic surgery is there to help with. The loose skin that appears after a patient undergoes extreme weight loss can be remedied through obesity plastic surgery. This type of plastic surgery can consist of separate procedures to address the individual’s particular problem areas which may be tummy tuck, arm lift or thigh lift. Additionally liposuction can at times leave a great deal of loose skin. Many patients decide they want a more all-encompassing solution, and the can choose to undergo the obesity plastic surgery procedure that is known as the body lift. This body lift procedure involves removal of the loose skin that many patients experience after weight loss is most often performed on the lower half of the torso and on the thighs. It addresses the loose skin of the stomach, the back, hips, the thighs and the buttocks. The surgeon who performs obesity plastic surgery usually begins in the stomach area by removing loose skin and fat and smoothing contours. The other areas of loose skin that have accumulated after the patient’s weight loss are then addressed by the surgeon, resulting in an overall smoother silhouette.

Recovery from body lift surgery procedures take several weeks and the patient will experience discomfort that ranges from moderate to severe. However, most patients find that the body lift is the most effective type of obesity plastic surgery for the targeting of loose skin after significant weight loss.

Keep in mind that skin is elastic and slower, more gradual weight loss will lesson the need for cosmetic surgery after weight loss. If diet and exercise are the main factors in the loss of weight the chances of needed cosmetic surgery are less, but they still exist. Many people who undergo the stomach stapling technique as a cure for obesity have experienced such significant changes in their weight that they are plagued by loose skin and for these people the opportunity to correct this problem, which many see as unsightly, is a positive blessing.

Skin is incredibly elastic and can stretch and expand or tighten and retract to a great degree. As an example, take a look at what women go through during pregnancy. Many women do experience stretch marks, but the skin is obviously and remarkably elastic under most circumstances.