Body contouring Post Weight Loss surgery Can Assist With Excess Loose Skin
Excess loose skin on the upper arms, abdomen, buttocks and thighs post weight loss can contribute to a range of health problems, including personal hygiene issues, skin thinning/tearing, back and shoulder pain, infections and chronic rashes, as well as difficulty exercising and walking.
Body contouring post weight loss surgery is aimed to improve various body areas — such as the upper torso and arms, the waist, abdomen, buttocks and thighs — where a lack of elasticity has resulted in heavy and loose skin. These procedures are not a weight loss alternative nor a method of fat reduction, however, should be considered as the final phase of your weight loss experience.
There are several options and stages when it comes to body contouring after weight loss, all designed to remove excessive amounts of skin and correct and reshape the remaining skin. As everyone is different, Dr Lim will develop a personalised surgical plan that focuses on your current condition and desired goals.
For more information on how plastic surgery can help combat loose skin after weight loss, contact our office for a consultation.
Abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, is for men looking to remove loose skin on their stomach. The procedure can give you a tighter and firmer abdomen by removing excess skin.
The exact procedure used for a tummy tuck will differ patient to patient, depending on a number of factors including the desired result and the elasticity of the skin.
The most common technique used involves an incision made across the lower abdomen, extending to the hip on each side. This incision can be angled to make the scar easier to conceal. If required, Dr Lim will tighten the vertical muscles in your stomach by pulling them close together and stitching them into position. Extra skin and fat is also removed. Abdominoplasty may be performed in conjunction with liposuction.
Men with a lot of loose skin after weight loss commonly turn to a lower body lift for the chance to tighten loose skin on the lower abdomen, hips, outer thighs and buttocks in one surgery.
The technique used to reduce the lower abdomen is similar to a abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), where the existing navel is repositioned, the excess skin that exists on the lower abdomen is removed, and the skin of the upper abdomen is pulled down and joined to the lower fold on the abdomen. The excess skin on the back is usually removed as well, and the remaining skin is tightened.
Extra skin and fat on the sides of the hips are also removed, in which the skin over the outer sides of the thighs is tightened, leaving a scar around the hip. In order to lift and tighten the buttocks and outer thighs, excess skin and fat is also removed, and the scar is placed on the upper part of the buttocks, which dips into the cleft, thus the circle of lifted skin is completed.
An upper body lift can remove excess skin folds and rolls on the upper back, chest and under the arms. The extent and location of extra skin varies depending on a number of factors, like your body shape or how much weight you have lost. Some people end up with skin folds and rolls on the upper back, under the arms, and the side of the chest. This make clothing uncomfortable or difficult to wear.
It is not uncommon to combine this with an arm lift and/or gynaecomastia surgery.
Also known as brachioplasty, an upper arm lift involves the removal of excess or loose skin that hangs from the under-surface of the upper arm. The amount of skin removed varies and is dependent on the patient. However, the results of upper arm contouring are visible almost instantly.
Usually, the incision will extend from the armpit area along the inside of the upper arm to the elbow, so that the scar is hidden when the arms are positioned close to the body. Patients with less skin laxity might have a smaller incision that is easily hidden in the armpit. It is important to note that healing around the arm area is quite unpredictable and may result in the scar being thickened or widened.
Body contouring post weight loss surgery to remove loose skin is individually customised to each patient depending on their personal requirements. During the consultation period, Dr Lim will take you through all available options and potential outcomes, including the possibility of liposuction to deal with stubborn fat deposits. At this time, Dr Lim will determine the surgical approach most suitable, and the type, length and location of incisions required. Dr Lim will always do his best to minimise visible scarring.
Your surgery may take a few hours and will be performed under general anaesthetic in an accredited hospital. You may be required to stay in hospital for a few days following your surgery. Patients who have a body lift require drains to be inserted during the surgery, to prevent the accumulation of fluids and blood within the surgical wounds. You will be able to go home once the amount of drainage output subsides and your pain has settled. This can take a few days.
You may be provided with a supportive garment that will help decrease the bruising and swelling, which must be worn for a few weeks after the surgery. Dr Lim will advise you on this when he reviews you post-operatively and will prescribe analgesia and antibiotics for you to continue at home.
My Klinik staff will stay in touch with you after the procedure, monitor your progress and answer any questions or concerns as they arise. You’ll have reviews with Dr Lim one week, one month and three months after surgery.
Our goal is to make your experience as supportive as possible — Dr Lim and the My Klinik staff are always willing to answer any questions you may have.
Dr Lim’s 2023 Excess Skin Guide
Pre and Post-Operative Care
After Weight Loss FAQs
Body Contouring After Weight Loss Video
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About Dr Jake Lim
Highly qualified and experienced specialist plastic surgeon Dr Jake Lim focuses on facial plastic, cosmetic breast and body contouring after significant weight loss
Dr Lim creates the best possible plastic surgery results for his Australia-wide and international patients.
Dr Lim is passionate about making sure each and every patient has access to the right information about available treatments and procedures and is able to make well-informed decisions.
At My Klinik, patient safety, education and achieving optimal results are our top priorities.