Dramatic weight loss can provide many health benefits. But stretched skin and tissue can’t adapt to dramatic weight loss. Extreme reductions associated with procedures like gastric bypass and gastric sleeve surgery leave patients with heavy, drooping, troublesome skin. Plastic surgeons offer a solution with skin removal after weight loss.

Also known as loose skin surgery or skin removal surgery is a cosmetic procedure to help patients who have lost weight dramatically and quickly, often after bariatric surgery. This involves procedures like tummy tucks, brachioplasty, and panniculectomy, which can eliminate sagging and excess skin from the body. It is also referred to as body contouring since the entire process may incorporate procedures to mold and tighten skin that cannot be removed.

Having excess fat and sagging skin can affect not only how people look and feel about themselves. It also affects health and function. The extra skin affects the way clothes fit and can be uncomfortable. That’s where skin removal surgery comes into play. Despite effective diets and workout plans, some obese patients can still retain up to 40 to 60 pounds of excess skin in their bodies even after significant weight loss. Through removal of excess sagging skin that remains, patients feel more confident in their clothes and bodies.

While loose skin surgery is a safe and effective treatment, it’s not ideal for everyone. For best results, people considering plastic surgery procedures should be generally healthy, non-smokers who do not have medical conditions that make healing difficult or increase the risk of surgery. For the most durable results, patients considering future pregnancy or who anticipate additional weight loss, may be advised to delay the procedure. Skin removal after weight loss works best in people who after their weight has stabilized (generally 18 months after weight loss surgery) and are committed to a healthy lifestyle with good fitness.

These are only general guidelines. Risk and benefit are different for every patient. If you wish to know whether excess skin removal surgery is appropriate for your specific case, you should consult with your cosmetic surgeon before making the final decision.
Because of this, you need to consult with your doctor first before pursuing this procedure.

To learn whether excess skin removal surgery can help you, the first step is to schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Massiha. At the consult, Dr. Massiha will talk about the procedure, your goals, other options, and the potential risks. Be prepared to discuss your medical history and expectations for the surgery, and to ask questions. This is the time to get your questions answered. Your surgeon can also show you skin removal surgery before and after pictures.

After consultation, your team of healthcare professionals will begin to tailor a unique treatment plan. During the evaluation period, you will continue talking with your surgeon and undergo physical exams. Tests, images, and x-rays may be ordered depending on your age, health, and other individual needs.

Once the evaluation is complete, your surgeon will recommend a personalized plan that revolves around your goals and limits for your treatment and recovery periods. Dr. Massiha may perform the excess skin removal surgery alone or in combination with a wide range of comprehensive cosmetic and body contour services.

Make sure to ask any questions you have. Don’t be afraid to share your thoughts with your surgeon and healthcare team. If you do not understand something, tell your healthcare team, so they can find another way to explain it. If you are unsure of what questions to ask, see this checklist recommended by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. It can help guide you during conversations with your surgeon.

Since weight loss after bariatric surgery typically reduces over the entire body, several body contour procedures can be used to remove excess skin after weight loss surgery:

• Arm Lift: Also known as brachioplasty, this procedure aims to remove excess skin that sags down your upper arm. 

• Breast Lift: Also called mastopexy, this is an approach used to firm up your breasts by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissues.

• Facelift:  Medically referred to as rhytidectomy, this procedure can give your face a younger, smoother appearance and eliminate sagging skin under your chin.

• Lower Body Lift: If you have excess fat or skin in your stomach, buttocks, or outer thighs, this procedure is right for you.

• Panniculectomy: This is a treatment that removes the tough excess skin (known as pannus) under your belly button.

• Thigh Lift: This makes your inner thighs thinner.

• Tummy Tuck:  Also known as abdominoplasty, this treatment removes the skin around your abdomen and tightens your muscles to achieve a more toned appearance.

After surgery, you will be given instructions on special care and caution to keep your incisions from opening. Your doctor will want you to resume walking and getting fluids soon as possible after surgery to avoid complications. Your recovery period varies depending on the type of procedure you get.

Healing can be as short as two weeks or last as long as six weeks, depending on how complex the procedure is. Your care team will give you instructions to follow so you can recover safely and achieve optimal results. The overall result of this surgery is a slimmer, sleeker, and more toned appearance. You will start to see the results of your surgery almost immediately. Your improvement to final results may take as long as two years or more.

If you are searching “How much does a loose skin surgery cost?” in search engines, you’ve noticed a wide range of prices. Skin removal surgery costs vary depending on several factors, including the procedure. The technique, the experience of the board-certified cosmetic surgeon, the facility where the procedure is performed, and the anesthesia involved all influence cost.

Many of these choices are made according to your medical history and your expectations. You and your surgeon will talk about these decisions during your consultation and discussions before surgery. Dr. Massiha will be able to provide a price quote with your treatment plan so you can budget the cost of your procedure.

If you are looking for plastic surgery near me, look no further. Dr. Massiha’s extensive experience and expertise in cosmetic surgery and body contouring set him apart. He is not only a leading plastic and cosmetic surgeon in the Metairie and New Orleans area, Dr. Massiha also enjoys national and international reputations for innovation and excellence. He has performed thousands of body contour procedures and taught his techniques to myriad plastic surgeons in the region as well as other states and countries.

Committed to using the latest techniques and innovations in plastic surgery to ensure the highest level of safety and efficacy, Dr. Massiha regularly attends and participates in the industry’s top professional meetings. His essence as an artist and sculptor pervades his unique attention to detail and meticulous approach to each patient’s features. He will take the time to explain your procedure, discuss your expectations, and provide personalized recommendations based on your unique anatomy and desired outcome.

See why patients in Metairie and New Orleans who want ‘skin removal or loose skin surgery near me’, have chosen Dr. Massiha. Dr. Hamid Massiha offers a wide range of comprehensive cosmetic and body contour services to achieve your aesthetic goals. A board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Massiha has helped countless patients achieve their aesthetic goals through his personalized approach to care. His natural results will enhance your beauty and leave you feeling confident and happy.

Let Dr. Massiha’s expertise, artistry, and patient-centric approach help you achieve the natural, refreshed appearance you desire. Book an appointment today and discover how Dr. Massiha can transform your look and boost your confidence.