Losing weight and improving health are excellent accomplishments for which you can be proud. For some, however, a significant weight loss can leave behind excess skin that can not only limit you from enjoying your weight loss, but can pose potential health risks, as well.
How Excess Skin Can be Troublesome
In instances of significant weight loss, the skin is unable to shrink back to the underlying muscular structure, leaving it to hang from the body. This can make those who have accomplished weight loss feel frustrated and discouraged. After weight loss, you will probably want to shop for a new wardrobe, but stretched skin can make it difficult to find flattering outfits. Excess skin can also affect how you move and can make you feel uncomfortable. In some cases, excess skin can result in skin irritation or rashes that can be very painful.
Excess Skin Removal Procedure
There are several procedures involved in excess skin removal. Your surgeon will recommend the right procedures for you, depending on the areas that need to be sculpted. The most common procedures include:
- Lower body lift – this procedure tightens abdominal, buttock and thigh tissue
- Panniculectomy – significant weight loss often leads to a flap of excess skin below the belly button. Panniculectomy removes this skin and reshapes the abdominal area
- Thigh and buttock lift – removes sagging skin and reshapes the thigh and buttock area
- Upper body lift – this procedure targets the arm and bra area to sculpt and streamline the contour
- Breast lift – for women who lose weight, many are surprised to see their breasts seem to lose shape and definition. A breast lift can remove excess skin and reshape the breasts to give them more symmetry
What to Expect During Recovery
As with any type of surgery, your recovery will depend on which type of procedure you undergo. Generally speaking, for smaller procedures such as breast or upper body lifts, you will experience swelling and tenderness but should be able to resume normal exercise within a month. For lower body lifts, the recovery can be more involved. You may have to have temporary drains installed to help alleviate swelling. These drains are typically removed after two weeks. You can expect to be limited in your physical activity for around six weeks.
You should be proud of accomplishing a major weight loss, and your body should reflect that. If you have excess skin after weight loss and are considering removal, Dr. Aleksandr Shteynberg and the Vantage Plastic Surgery team are here for you. Call to schedule a consultation today.
