Body Contouring after Massive Weight Loss is a collection of procedures designed to remove excess skin after significant weight loss (typically more than 30 pounds). Sometimes multiple areas can be treated during one surgery, but in other cases body contouring procedures may be separated into multiple procedures over a period of time.
Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) involves skin removal across the abdomen and includes liposuction of the lower flanks (love handles) and area just midline over the belly button. If needed, muscle separation (rectus diastasis) repair can be performed during this procedure. Tummy tuck does not address excess skin on the back.
Circumferential Body Lift (Belt Lipectomy) is a variation of the tummy tuck procedure where the incision continues from the abdomen all the way around or most of the way around the back which also helps to address excess skin on the lower back area. Circumferential body lift usually includes a mons lift and skin tuck of the mons area.
Arm Lift (Brachioplasty) is skin removal of the upper arm area (sometimes referred to as “bat wings”). A small amount of liposuction can also be performed to help with contouring. Arm Lift does not involve removal of skin at the elbow or below the elbow.
Thigh Lift can address the inner thighs (Medial Thigh Lift) or address the outer thighs (Lateral Thigh Lift). Often patients with extra skin on the upper outer thigh area are better served by a Circumferential Body Lift. Medial Thigh Lift involves an incision going down the inner length of each thigh to address excess skin in the area. Medial Thigh Lift stops above the knee and does not address excess skin at the knee or below. A small amount of liposuction may be performed to help with contouring, but it is important to not overly liposuction this area.
Breast Lift (Mastopexy) or Breast Lift with Implants (Mastopexy Augmentation) rearranges deflated breast tissue by lifting the breasts to a higher position on the chest and often involves relocating the nipples to a higher position on the breasts to help address the appearance of sagging breasts.
Breast Augmentation can be an option for some massive weight loss patients if the breasts have maintained good shape and skin tone after massive weight loss and simply placement of implants without rearranging the tissue can increase volume.
Bra Line Lift is a skin removal procedure for the area on the middle of the back where a bra rests. It sometimes is combined with a breast lift or arm lift if the extra skin involves areas beyond the bra line (such as under the arms or on the lateral breasts).
Wedge Excision is a form of skin removal on a specific pocket of extra skin.
During your complimentary consultation, Dr Camp will ask you what your priorities are and make a plan based on that. Generally speaking, circumferential body lift is a stand alone procedure. Other times tummy tuck and thigh lift can be combined into one procedure or arm lift and breast lift can be combined into a single procedure.
Mildly deflated breasts can often be treated with just placement of implants (breast augmentation). Yes, within limits. However, your body dictates whether this is an option. If there is too much sagging skin, there is no choice but to have a lift with or without implants.
This can be done. However, keep in mind that the upper aspect of the breast will continue to appear very flat, and you will only have cleavage with the assistance of a bra. Due to the high baseline price of the lift, the cost of implants does not greatly affect the overall expense of restoring the breasts. Most patients elect to have implants due to this factor.
Liposuction is performed as needed during some body contouring procedures such as tummy tuck, circumferential body lift, arm lift, thigh lift, bra line lift, and occasionally during breast lift. Liposuction only address subcutaneous fat (the fat just below the skin), so it is important to have already lost the visceral (inner) fat before a procedure.
It is important to know that in almost all cases of massive weight loss the skin usually has suffered from an irreversible loss of elasticity. When skin has been stretched significantly, it will not just “snap back” into place. Body Contouring after massive weight loss can address a majority of the loose skin. However, the skin will relax again and sometimes will relax to such an extent that a secondary separate skin removal procedure may be scheduled.
Our price list is posted on website and each procedure includes facility and anesthesia fees at an accredited surgery center. Sometimes there may be a multiple procedure discount for combining two major body contouring procedures into one surgery.
Massive weight loss patients often have some unique characteristics during recovery after surgery. Although rare, massive weight loss patients tend to more frequently develop fluid collections after surgery. Often for circumferential body lifts or tummy tucks, massive weight loss patients may find that their drains need to remain in place longer than usual. Massive weight loss patients also more frequently seek additional care in the form of post-operative lymphatic massage to reduce swelling. We can make recommendations to you if you decide to seek out additional post-operative care.
