For many, weight loss is crucial to achieving a healthier, happier, and more confident lifestyle. However, after a significant weight loss, some individuals experience unwanted side effects that cannot be eliminated with diet or exercise alone.
If you struggle with lingering problem areas after a weight loss, such as hanging skin, post-weight loss body contouring surgery may be right for you. At BEYOND Collective, our experienced surgeon, Dr. Olivia MaDan, offers several body contouring procedures designed to address post-weight loss concerns. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and learn about post-weight loss surgery in Nashville.
After significant weight loss achieved either through diet or surgery, the skin doesn’t always return to its pre-weight appearance. Stubborn fat, hanging skin and abdominal wall laxity can all be addressed once you are at your goal weight. Post weight loss body contouring surgery in Nashville removes excess skin and stubborn fat deposits to give patients a slimmer and more toned appearance.
Body contouring procedures can provide unity and continuity that enhances your body’s shape and confidence while improving your body image. During an initial consultation, Dr. MaDan will discuss all aspects of the procedure with you and address any of your questions or concerns.
Some of the most common benefits of a post weight loss surgery in Nashville include:
If your skin didn’t bounce back after weight loss, you might be the perfect candidate for a post-weight loss body contouring procedure in Nashville. An ideal candidate should be someone in generally good health who has had a stable body weight (within 10% of goal weight) for at least one year. You should also be a non-smoker. The best way to determine if this procedure is right for you is to schedule a consultation with our knowledgeable plastic surgeon, Dr. MaDan.
Body contouring procedures can be performed separately or in combination to minimize down time. Each procedure at BEYOND Collective is custom-designed for you to address your specific body concerns. Common post weight loss surgery options available at our office in Nashville include:
A lower body lift or torso lift surgery focuses on the midsection of your body. This operation helps remove excess fat from the hips, buttocks, thighs, love handles, and abdomen. The underlying muscles are tightened and the excess skin is removed.
An upper body lift targets excess skin and fat on the upper back, arms and sides. Dr. MaDan uses concealable incisions to lift the underlying tissues and remove excess skin and fat.
The most significant changes after weight loss can often be seen in the abdominal area. The excess, hanging skin below the belly button is sometimes referred to as a “pannus”. This excess skin can cause frequent rashes and irritation. . A panniculectomy is a functional surgery that removes the excess skin below the umbilicus. This procedure differs from an abdominoplasty because the underlying abdominal muscles are not tightened.
Your specific recovery course varies depending on the surgical procedure(s). Some patients may experience swelling and bruising the first couple of weeks after the surgery. Most patients who undergo post-weight loss procedures in Nashville are encouraged to avoid any heavy lifting and strenuous exercise during their recovery period so they can heal properly. Final results with minimal residual swelling should be seen around 3 months post-operatively.
The most common surgical procedures after weight loss (surgery or medical ex, diet, and exercise) involve excess skin removal. While these body contouring procedures require incisions that leave a scar, the improvement in body shape/contour and clothing fit is well worth the trade-off for a scar. Incisions are placed in specific locations that can be easily concealed. The scars soften and fade over time. The most common body contouring surgeries are abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), brachioplasty (arm lift), mastopexy (breast lift), hip/buttock lift, and thigh lift. These procedures can be tailored to your individual goals and desired outcomes. We often have patients make a list of contouring priorities, as all of these procedures cannot be performed simultaneously. Two or three procedures can often be performed in a single surgical setting.
A body contouring candidate is someone who is at a safe (BMI<34), stable weight who has completed their family. An ideal body contouring candidate is someone whose weight is stable, has a BMI of 30 or less, has no medical comorbidities, and has a realistic understanding of what can be achieved after weight loss. Body contouring surgery after weight loss is unlikely to change the number on the scale significantly–it is not for weight loss. It is important to understand that body contouring procedures cannot turn back time or stop gravity, genetics, and aging. The initial weight gain and subsequent weight loss (via diet or weight loss surgery) significantly alter your tissues and their ability to “bounce back” and heal. No surgery can be performed to revert your tissues to their pre-weight gain/loss condition.
Every surgery involves risk. Standard surgical risks include bleeding, infection, fluid collection (seroma), sensory changes, wound healing problems, and poor scarring. Risks specific to body contouring surgery after weight loss can depend on your historic maximum weight/BMI, current weight/BMI, medical comorbidities affecting wound healing like diabetes, history of weight loss surgery, etc. The majority of massive weight loss patients will carry an increased risk of wound healing problems associated with their highest historic weight/BMI. This risk is something that should be discussed with you at your consultation. The increased risk does not necessarily exclude you as a surgical candidate but can inform you about possible complications in your postoperative course. Incision breakdown or delayed wound healing is most often treated with wound care. After the area has healed completely, a scar revision can be performed to improve your final outcome.
The recovery duration largely depends on the type of procedure and combination of procedures performed. With an abdominoplasty/tummy tuck, the majority of pain likely results from tightening (plication) of the abdominal (6-pack) muscles. The majority of patients are feeling back to themselves around week 2 or 3. A thigh lift is usually a procedure we recommend as your final body contouring surgery. The location of the incisions (within the groin crease) is generally very sensitive and may require an element of wound care.
It is physically possible to gain weight after body contouring surgery. Body contouring surgery does not give you a pass or a license to eat and drink with disregard. Weight stability with a healthy diet and exercise is essential for the longevity of results. Maintaining your weight within 5 % above or below your weight during surgery is usually recommended. Significant (more than 5% of your body weight) weight gain or weight loss can negatively affect the results of your body contouring procedure.
The best candidate is someone who is at a healthy, stable weight (BMI of 30 or less), has no medical problems, has no nicotine use, and has realistic expectations. Lifestyle modifications can be made before surgery to optimize your safety and outcome. It isn’t too late to adopt a healthy diet rich in leafy green vegetables and lean protein. Exercise 3-5 times a week can improve your cardiovascular health and stamina. Abstaining from all nicotine products for a minimum of 4 weeks before and 4 weeks after surgery is essential. There should be ample time to optimize many health factors before any body contouring procedure. Appropriate planning is necessary to ensure your safety and protect your investment in yourself.
Post weight loss procedures can give patients a slimmer, more toned look by getting rid of excess skin and stubborn fat deposits. Our highly trained plastic surgeon, Dr. Olivia MaDan, is committed to improving the quality of life for our patients through compassionate care and advanced surgical skills.
If you are interested in undergoing post weight loss surgery in Nashville, call today to schedule a personalized consultation.
Dr. MaDan BEYOND Collective
N/a
Copyright © Dr. MaDan BEYOND Collective, 2024 | All rights reserved.
