Weight loss or bariatric surgery changes the lives of thousands of people every year. Those who have excess weight with associated health problems can benefit from bariatric surgery to lose weight and improve their medical conditions. While bariatric surgery is highly successful for losing massive weight, many patients do experience loose and sagging skin. At pēkomd® plastic surgery center in Toledo, OH, we offer body lift post-bariatric surgery to remove excess skin and reshape the lower body.
There are several different types of bariatric surgeries that can help overweight individuals lose 100 or more pounds. Gastric bypass is the traditional option, but there are other procedures, like sleeve gastrectomy and duodenal switch, that can also be effective. Many patients lose 100 or more pounds in the first six months after surgery and can continue to lose as long as they stay in a calorie deficit. This quick weight loss can leave behind stretched skin that is unlikely to shrink to the new smaller body size.
Skin Removal After Weight Loss Surgery
Undergoing bariatric surgery can be an amazing journey that can result in a smaller and healthier body. The sagging skin left behind is one of the few downsides of massive weight loss – many bariatric patients are embarrassed of their loose skin. The abdomen is the most common area to have loose skin, but often a tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is adequate to remove all the skin around the torso. A body lift, or belt lipectomy, is a better option for those with excess skin on the abdomen, lower back, buttocks and thighs.
Body lift surgery removes excess skin around the circumference of the lower torso and reshapes the lower body. This can tighten and flatten the abdomen, tighten the upper thighs and lift the buttocks for an improved body appearance. Not only can the body shape be improved with the belt lipectomy, but discomfort from skin folds can also be resolved once the excess skin is removed.
If you have successfully lost weight with bariatric surgery, congratulations! If you are ready to explore body lift post-bariatric surgery, contact us at pēkomd® in Toledo, OH.
