What body contouring procedures work best to get rid of sagging skin after weight loss?
Have you been struggling with sagging skin after losing weight, no matter how hard you try to exercise to firm up those areas? Don’t feel bad. You are not alone in your frustration. Many people find that, after losing a significant amount of weight, whether through a weight loss program, bariatric surgery, or following pregnancy, they are left with skin that does not have the elasticity to adjust to their new body size.
If you are young, willing to consistently work out, and willing to wait, your body may eventually lose the excess skin and regain its tone and firmness. But how discouraging to go through all that it took to lose that weight and then not be able to feel good about how you look. It’s like training for a marathon and then making it a couple of feet from the finish line and being stopped from crossing.
Fortunately, there are a variety of body contouring options available so that you don’t have to wait. The first step will be to find a highly skilled and experienced plastic surgeon to help you decide if body contouring is a good choice for you and to discuss options and expectations.
Body Contouring Options
Everyone’s situation is different, which is why it is so important to consult with a surgeon who is not only experienced but who will take the time to understand your concerns and goals. Equally important is to leave your consultation with a clear picture of exactly what to expect.
Depending upon your particular situation, some of the body contouring options that your surgeon may discuss include:
- Rhytidectomy, more commonly known as a facelift, is a popular procedure designed to counteract the effects of aging on the face and neck. Incisions are made along the hairline and under the chin, if also addressing the neck, to allow the plastic surgeon to tighten the tissue and excise excess skin.
- Brachioplasty, which is also called an arm lift, removes the sagging skin hanging beneath the upper arms. The surgeon will make incisions on the undersides of the arms, tighten the underlying tissue and remove the excess skin.
- Mastopexy is the medical term for a breast lift. Breasts can become flattened and sagging after weight loss or with age. A mastopexy procedure raises and reshapes the breasts by tightening the tissue and removing any excess skin.
- Abdominoplasty, which is usually referred to as a tummy tuck, involves tightening the abdominal fascia (connective tissue) and removing and repositioning the excess skin. Removing the apron of skin and fat in the lower abdomen, known as the pannus, without additional tightening of the tissue is called a panniculectomy. Although a panniculectomy is not considered cosmetic surgery, it can contribute to a flatter abdominal area.
- Lower body lifts target excess skin in the lower extremities, which can include hips, thighs, buttocks, and lower abdomen.
Dr. Brian D. Cohen is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon with extensive training in cosmetic/reconstructive plastic surgery and has had years of experience performing a wide array of cosmetic surgery procedures, specializing in procedures of the face, eyes, nose, breast, and body and is known for his exemplary and compassionate care by his patients. Knowing that Dr. Cohen has been selected by his peers in Super Doctors for 9 years in a row in 2021 gives you the confidence that he is highly respected for his performance in his specialty.
Information on locations and office hours for Cohen Plastic Surgery can be found by clicking here.