Post-Weight Loss Cosmetic Surgery
In cases of extreme weight loss, after you’ve done the hard work of losing the weight sometimes your skin just doesn’t cooperate. Many times the skin has lost its elasticity and appears saggy, creating an unappealing melting appearance. This happens because during the period of being overweight, the skin was stretched to encompass the volume but when that volume is gone the skin remains the same size as it was.
In order to correct the sagging skin left over after extreme weight loss, a full body contouring procedure can be performed in two stages. The first stage of the procedure includes an abdominoplasty, a mastopexy augmentation, and a brachioplasty (contouring of the arms). Stage 2 includes a lower body lift and a medial thigh lift. The lower body lift removes extra skin and fat around the lower waistline, effectively lifting the lower abdomen, the buttocks, and upper thighs.
The body contouring procedure often includes a breast, thigh, or arm lift to remove that unwanted extra skin as well. Depending in your preference and consultation with Dr. Shapiro, the brachioplasty can be performed with in stage 1 or stage 2. Many patients will only require the first stage of bodywork to be done with a brachioplasty procedure.
