It’s natural to want to feel and look your best, but sometimes even the most dedicated diet and exercise routines won’t be enough to target stubborn skin and fat. Whether it’s a saggy breast, unsightly folds, bulges on thighs, or excess abdominal skin, these areas can be hard enough to tighten loose skin. So what can you do about it?
Fortunately, there are now a variety of plastic surgery options available to reduce and smooth out these problem areas. Depending on your goals, there are three main body-contouring procedures that can help you achieve the look you desire. These include tummy tucks, breast reductions, and breast lifts. All three procedures can provide quick and lasting results, as long as you’re willing to maintain a healthy diet and stay active.
What is the Reason to Get the Excess Skin After Significant Weight Loss?
Generally, the skin has a certain level of elasticity, and if pushed beyond the limit of that elasticity upon weight gain, the skin cannot fully contract back down upon subsequent weight loss. However, the degree of elasticity varies from person to person, and it can depend on various factors, such as age, genetics, sun exposure, smoking, and overall health. It also depends on how much weight a person loses at once and how fast they lose it.
What Are the Surgical Options to Fight Fat and Loose Skin?
Tummy Tuck for Excess Abdominal Skin
A tummy tuck, also known as an abdominoplasty, is a body contouring procedure that sculpts and flattens the abdomen by removing excess skin and fat. It can also address diastasis, a condition where the abdominal muscles separate and fail to properly reshape after pregnancy. This can result in a bulging abdomen and, in some cases, weakened abdominal muscles.
This procedure involves making a horizontal incision across the lower abdomen and, if needed, an additional incision around the belly button. The abdominal muscles are then tightened, and the excess skin and fat are removed. The remaining skin is then pulled taut and sutured into place, creating a smoother, flatter abdominal profile.
While a tummy tuck can help to sculpt and tone the abdomen, it is important to note that it is not a substitute for weight loss or bariatric surgery. Patients should aim to reach their goal weight before undergoing the procedure, as additional weight loss or gain after surgery can affect the results.
Breast Lift for Droopy Skin
Breast lift surgery, also known as mastopexy, is a cosmetic procedure that lifts and reshapes sagging breast tissue, which can often be loose after massive or significant weight loss. It is also used to tighten sagging breasts due to childbirth or ageing.
Breast lift surgery is not the same as breast reduction surgery, which involves reducing the size of overly large breasts. Instead, it focuses on improving the breast’s shape and position by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue. The type of body lift surgery that you have and the amount of skin removed will depend on your individual needs. Your specialist plastic surgeon will advise and guide you within safe limits.
Thigh Lift for Fatty Tissue
Massive weight loss can result in saggy skin all over your body. Excess skin is not only an aesthetic concern but also a physical problem. Unfortunately, there are no non-surgical treatments available to effectively address excess saggy skin on the thighs. The best option for removing excess skin on the thighs is a thigh lift procedure.
Thigh lift surgery is a cosmetic procedure that is used to reshape and contour the thighs and lower body by removing excess skin and, in some cases, fat. During a thigh lift procedure, an incision is made either at the fold where the thigh and the groin join or down the inner aspect of the thigh toward the knee. The length of the incision will depend on the extent of the excess skin and the specific goals of the patient. Once the incision is made, the surgeon will remove the excess skin and fat before tightening and re-draping the remaining skin.
The Bottom Line
Excess skin can be a frustrating and uncomfortable issue for many people. While exercise and a healthy diet can help improve body contour, they may not be enough to eliminate excess skin. Cosmetic procedures such as body lift surgery, arm lift surgery, and thigh lift surgery can be effective solutions to remove excess skin, reshape the body, and boost confidence. It is important to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon to determine the best course of action for your individual needs and goals.
