In all cases where people lose a staggering amount of excess weight the effect of that weight loss on their bodies is profound. Whilst the majority of people feel considerably better following weight loss (easier breathing, less pressure on joints, reduced swelling of extremities), they are almost always faced with a large amount of excess skin that acts as an unwelcome reminder of their old lifestyle. That is when plastic surgery procedures can help to get rid of excess skin and make patients see that there is light at the end of the extreme weight loss tunnel.

Ways of losing weight

For people struggling with a considerable amount of excess weight there are several options available to turn their life around. Some choose to lose weight in an all-natural way by cutting down on their food intake and implementing regular exercise into their everyday life. Unfortunately, this option is not always viable for the extremely overweight as it presupposes great dedication to the cause as well as a generally active starting point. If a patient reached the stage of not being able to move freely it will be very difficult for them to start exercising. Gastric band surgery, gastric bypass surgery and sleeve gastrectomy can all be options for obese patients who failed to lose weight via diet and exercise and who need the help of a surgeon to start them on their weight loss journey.

What all these weight loss options have in common is that they inevitably leave people suffering from excess skin. As their weight drops and their health improves the skin tends to shrink at a much slower rate. People undergoing extreme weight loss are therefore left with unsightly and often uncomfortable excess skin that they cannot get rid of through exercise.

Problems associated with excess skin

When we think of excess skin the first thing that comes to mind is the aesthetic aspect. It can look unpleasant and make the patient who suffers from excess skin appear larger than they actually are as well as make them look older than their years. Problem areas can include the abdomen, belly, thighs, upper arms, face and buttocks. Though looks can certainly influence people’s self-esteem and self-worth, it is important to point out that the main concern for patients suffering from excess skin is pain and reduction of functionality. Floppy skin around the thighs can result in rash and bruising caused by rubbing, the underside of sagging breasts can get red and inflamed. Other areas suffer from similar problems. In addition, some people report that hanging skin affects their ability to comfortably perform day-to-day activities such as jogging, lifting up their children and other forms of exercise. Finally, excess skin acts as a constant reminder of the more portly, heavier person they once were. Seeing folds of excess skin prevents them appreciating the fruits of their labour and fully enjoying their newly sculpted figures and increased level of fitness.

Skin Removal Surgery

The only way to help patients suffering from excess skin is skin removal surgery. Skin removal surgery can take several forms depending on the areas treated and the desired effect. One of the most often performed skin removal surgeries following extreme weight loss is abdominoplasty. Abdominoplasty is aimed at improving the appearance and feel of the abdominal area by removing excess skin and fat tissue and tightening the underlying muscles. If the abdominoplasty is not quite sufficient to address the problematic area a belt lipectomy (also known as a lower body lift) can be performed. This procedure extends the idea behind the tummy tuck and works on the entire area around the mid-section of the body removing skin and tightening deeper tissue layers.

Other skin removal plastic surgery procedures include a thigh lift which is aimed at removing excess skin and tightening up the inner or outer thigh area, the arm lift aimed at contouring and reducing the size of the upper arms as well as the breast lift which is aimed at reposition sagging breasts and is often paired with other breast procedures. The general aim of all plastic surgery procedures for patients who undergone extreme weight loss is to give them back a natural beautiful silhouette to their newly shaped bodies whilst eliminating problems associated with excess skin. As a result patients can feel more confident in their new figures and can go on to enjoy their healthy, beautiful bodies for years to come.

Liposuction is a surgical procedure where fat is removed from various parts of the body using suction. The plastic surgery involves inserting thin blunt tubes through small incisions into the affected area and sucking out excess fat deposit from under the skin. Liposuction can be used in a number of areas such as thighs, hips, abdomen, back or arms.

How does Liposuction Work?

There are a few types of liposuction procedures that can be used. The most common technique is tumescent liposuction. Tumescent liposuction is the most traditional liposuction procedure. In the procedure the plastic surgeon injects a large anesthetic solution under the skin and then proceeds to remove fat from the treated areas.

Ultrasounds liposuction uses ultrasound waves to break up the fatty tissue which makes the suction of fat easier while laser liposuction uses low impact laser to liquefy the fat and help the plastic surgeon remove it.

What are the after effects of a liposuction plastic surgery?

Liposuction treatment is often performed using local anesthetic but can be done under general anesthesia as well. Following plastic surgery patients occasionally have to wear compression bandages and garments for up to 3-4 weeks and for the first 7-10 days after surgery most liposuction patients can expect some discomfort and pain. Most patients find the pain to be only mild in severity, often described as comparable to the soreness experienced after a heavy workout.

The majority of patients are advised to take several days off work following plastic surgery but can return to their day to day activities after that. The results of successful liposuction can be maintained for longer with plenty of exercise and a healthy diet. The beauty of liposuction is that the fat does not return, as fat cells do not have the ability to replicate themselves.

The best candidates for liposuction understand that it is not a treatment of obesity or excess weight. It is not possible to remove stretch marks or cellulite with liposuction and it should not be treated as a substitute for a healthy lifestyle. Liposuction is great for those stubborn areas where fat collections distort shape, despite exercise and a healthy diet.

As with all surgeries, liposuction has risks and complications may occur. The most common side effects include swelling, bruising or tightness near the treated area, numbness or loss of feeling on the skin as well as infection and scarring around the incision points.

Anyone considering liposuction should consult with a certified plastic surgeon. Beverly Hills plastic surgeon, Dr. Warren Lent, is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons and will accompany patients throughout the process, from the initial consultation to recovery after the plastic surgery.

A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is a surgical solution to a saggy, slack tummy area. The procedure is aimed at patients who are not happy with the look of their abdomen and feel that excess skin or minor fat reserves are ruining the aesthetic appearance of their tummy.

During the tummy tuck excess skin and some fat tissue are removed and the underlying abdominal muscles and connective tissue is tightened. In most cases, tummy tucks are performed on women left with lost elasticity in their abdominal skin following pregnancy or on patients who have lost a considerable amount of weight and are suffering from a lot of excess skin. People who have undergone weight-loss surgery, such as lap-band, gastric sleeve or gastric bypass are often excellent candidates for an abdominoplasty. The hanging skin can interfere with normal activities of daily living and even cause rashes and infections. In some cases, patients who are not able to lose the last few stubborn pounds also request tummy tucks.

Tummy tucks are sometimes paired with liposuction procedures to achieve a more dramatic effect. The abdominoplasty procedure is a great solution to patients looking to drastically improve the appearance of their tummy but one major drawback of the tummy tuck is that most patients will be left with a visible and relatively long scar.

Procedure – Step by Step

Before any abdominoplasty surgery the plastic surgeon will assess if the patient is a good candidate for the procedure. Women who wish to become pregnant in the future are generally advised to wait with the tummy tuck as the abdominal muscles that are tightened during the procedure stretch considerably at the time of pregnancy. Also, obese patients who are planning to lose a lot of weight are advised to wait until their BMI reaches a healthy number.

Although it is possible to perform a tummy tuck using local anesthetic, most plastic surgeons and anesthesiologists advise patients to undergo general anesthesia. A complete tummy tuck takes anything between 3-5 hours in the operating theatre to complete while partial abdominoplasty (mini tummy tuck) can be performed in 1-2 hours.

During a complete abdominoplasty the surgeon makes an incision from hip bone to hip bone, right at the bottom of the tummy. The skin is then separated from the underlying abdominal muscles and connecting tissue and in most cases the surgeon will make a further incision to free the belly button. The abdominal muscles and connecting tissues are then tightened to help flatten the abdomen.

After the reshaping of the underlying structure the surgeon removes any excess skin and repositions the belly button to fit in with the patient’s newly reshaped abdominal area. After closing up, a pressure bandage may be applied and drains can be put in to let out any liquid build up. The drains generally stay several days following surgery after which they are removed.
Mini tummy tucks are most often performed on patients whose fat deposits are sitting right under the naval. In this procedure the belly button might not need to be moved and the incision is smaller than in a complete tummy tuck.

If the patient is in good health then they generally are well enough to go home a few hours following surgery. Most patients will experience some discomfort and bruising after surgery. The recovery itself can take anything between one and four weeks, depending on the nature and extent of the surgery and the patient’s individual condition.

Surgeons usually advise to take time off work during the recovery period. Since there is an incision involved in the surgery, patients should take into consideration that this takes time to heal, the scar left by the incision will look red at first but upon full recovery (usually 6-12 months) the scar will fade into a very thin line.

Tummy tucks give excellent, instantly visible results that can last a long time. A healthy diet and exercise can help to keep the tummy area looking its best for longer. It is also suggested to give up smoking at least a month before and after surgery as this can have an impact on the recovery process.

Risks and Complications

Abdominoplasty is considered to be a relatively low risk procedure. However, it is important to remind prospective patients of possible complications. These can include infection, the accumulation of fluid, the formation of blood clots, the risk from the anesthesia, loss of feeling in the tummy area, scarring or scars healing slower than expected as well as persistent pain.