Surgery After Weight Loss
Surgery After Weight Loss | Dallas | Plano
Successfully losing weight is a commendable achievement. However, as any patient who has lost significant amounts of weight knows, there are residual aesthetic consequences.
In particular, stretched and flabby skin is one of the primary concerns patients have after weight loss. The skin has been stretched beyond its natural ability to return to a smooth and taut fit. This redundant skin is why surgery after weight loss, often referred to as body contouring surgery, focuses on excising this extra skin, removing any residual pockets of fat, and helping patients achieve a smooth, toned physique.
Dr. Abtahi understands the effort and commitment it takes to lose weight, which is why he takes an exceptionally personalized approach to post-bariatric surgery.
To Dr. Abtahi, after-weight loss surgeries are a way to help patients complement their weight-loss efforts and look and feel their best. He recognizes his role as a surgeon and human being is to help patients obtain an optimum level of health, which includes looking and feeling better about themselves.
Learn more about body contouring surgery in Dallas reading on or scheduling a consultation with Dr. Abtahi today. We are located in Plano, TX, and proudly serve patients visiting from Fort Worth, Southlake, Aledo, Dallas, Keller, Frisco, Grapevine, Colleyville, Arlington, and other nearby areas.
What Aesthetic Issues Does After Weight Loss Surgery Address?
There is a range of aesthetic issues that precede surgery after weight loss. Whether a patient has lost weight naturally, or in a bariatric procedure, the results often remain the same—loose, excess skin in various locations on the patient’s body.
In particular, patients desiring body contouring surgery often seek to treat:
Rapid weight loss leaves the remaining skin loose and sagging. This excess skin typically appears around the abdomen, arms, thighs, and buttocks
Women may experience a decrease in breast volume and sagging after significant weight loss. Procedures like breast lift (mastopexy) or breast augmentation can help restore breast shape and fullness.
Men may experience excess breast tissue or enlarged breasts after weight loss. Male breast reduction surgery or pectoral implant surgery can address this issue and create a more masculine chest contour.
Despite the significant weight loss, some areas of the body may still have stubborn pockets of fat. Liposuction helps to eliminate these fat deposits, thus creating a smoother, more balanced body contour.
During significant weight gain, the abdominal muscles often become stretched and weakened, which can lead to a protruding abdomen even after weight loss. Abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, tightens abdominal muscles and removes excess skin, creating a flatter, more aesthetically pleasing abdomen.
Which Procedures are Available in Dallas-Fort Worth to Patients Following Weight Loss?
Following weight loss, each patient’s needs and goals will differ. That’s why it is essential to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon to determine the most appropriate procedures for their specific situation.
Here are some of the more common options patients choose.
Medically referred to as brachioplasty, an arm lift addresses excess skin and fat from the upper arms, resulting in a more toned and tightened appearance. It can be particularly beneficial for those who have developed “bat wings” or sagging skin after weight loss.
A thigh lift, also known as a thighplasty, focuses on the inner and outer thighs. These are particularly problematic areas after weight loss as the body naturally stores significant amounts of fat here, stretching the skin. A thigh lift removes this excess skin, helping the patient get smoother, tighter thighs. Patients concerned about their thighs might also wish to discuss buttock augmentation with their surgeon.
Focusing on the upper back, a bra strap lift addresses “bra rolls” or the “bra bulge.” The name comes from when bra straps sink into the skin in the upper back, which gathers the skin a creates lumps. A bra strap lift removes this excess skin.
The body lift is a comprehensive procedure that addresses multiple areas of the body, including the abdomen, buttocks, hips, and thighs. By eliminating skin from around the hips and waist, then carefully pulling the remaining skin tight, the patient achieves a more sculpted and balanced overall appearance.
Skin excision refers to various surgical procedures that involve removing excess skin following significant weight loss. It can include any of the procedures mentioned above, as well as others like abdominoplasty or a breast lift, depending on the specific needs and goals of the patient.
Meet Ali R. Abtahi, DO MSc
Dr. Ali R. Abtahi, DO MSc is a highly skilled surgeon with extensive training in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Comprehensive Aesthetic Surgery, and General Surgery. Through his artistic vision and sincere passion for plastic surgery of the utmost quality, Dr. Abtahi is dedicated to delivering an elite, personalized experience.
What Patients Must Understand Before Getting Post-Weight Loss Surgery
Before undergoing post-weight loss surgery or body contouring procedures, patients must understand several important factors to ensure they have realistic expectations and are well-prepared for the process. Here are some key aspects to consider.
Weight Stabilization
It is crucial to reach a stable weight before undergoing any surgery after weight loss. This stability provides better results and reduces the risk of needing further treatments in case of future weight fluctuations.
Medical Clearance
Patients must be in good overall health to undergo post-weight loss surgery. Pre-existing medical conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, or high blood pressure, must be well-managed to minimize surgical risks.
Multiple Procedures May Be Necessary
Depending on the extent of excess skin and the areas to be addressed, patients may need to undergo multiple surgeries, scheduled over time, to achieve the desired results.
Scarring
All surgical procedures will result in some degree of scarring. While plastic surgeons use techniques to minimize and strategically place scars, patients must understand that some visible scarring is inevitable.
Risks and Complications
As with any surgery, there are risks and potential complications associated with post-weight loss surgery, such as infection, bleeding, anesthesia risks, and unsatisfactory results. It is essential to discuss these risks with the surgeon and be well-informed about how to minimize them.
Realistic Expectations
Patients must have a clear understanding of what can be achieved through post-weight loss surgery and maintain realistic expectations about the outcome. While body contouring can significantly improve the patient’s appearance, it cannot restore the body to a pre-weight gain state or guarantee perfect results.
Commitment to a Healthy Lifestyle
Maintaining the results of post-weight loss surgery requires a long-term commitment to a healthy lifestyle, including proper nutrition, regular exercise, and weight management. Patients must be prepared to make these changes to ensure the longevity of their results.
Cost
Post-weight loss surgeries can be expensive, and insurance coverage for these procedures varies. Patients should be prepared to cover the costs or explore financing options if insurance does not provide coverage.
Recovery Time
Each procedure comes with a specific recovery time, and patients must be prepared to take time off work and daily activities. It’s essential to follow the surgeon’s post-operative care instructions to facilitate healing and achieve the best results.
Choosing the Right Surgeon
It is crucial to select a board-certified plastic surgeon who is experienced in post-weight loss surgery to ensure the best possible outcome and minimize risks. Furthermore, selecting a surgeon who has proven results with before-and-after photos and with whom the patient can freely and openly communicate is essential to achieving satisfactory results.
Schedule Surgery After Weight Loss Consultation in Dallas-Fort Worth Today
For those patients considering after-weight loss surgery, Dr. Abtahi is here to help. Patients should contact Amor Propio Aesthetics to schedule a consultation for body contouring surgery in Dallas with Dr. Abtahi in his Plano office.
A consultation involves a detailed discussion with Dr. Abtahi, who is one of the best after-weight loss surgeons in Dallas. During this consultation, the patient will clearly determine his aesthetic goals and reasons for wanting brow lift or eyelid surgery, and together with Dr. Abtahi will formulate a plan to move towards achieving these goals.
Call us at (469) 293-2533 or reach us online today.