Plastic Surgery After Weight Loss Surgery

Although this excess skin tissue can appear anywhere, it is most commonly found on the abdomen, waist, upper legs and thighs, upper arms, neck, buttocks, and breasts. For some patients this excessive skin is simply a cosmetic concern. For others, excess skin can pose health and personal hygiene concerns.

Regardless of the reason, if the patient is severely bothered by this excess skin condition brought about by weight loss surgery, there are several plastic surgery options available.

These procedures are performed in pretty much the same way for patients of weight loss surgery as they are for patients who wish to have plastic surgery performed for reasons other than reversing the effects of weight loss surgery.

Here is a list of the more common plastic surgery procedures that most post-weight loss surgery patients ask for:

Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)

This plastic surgery procedure is used to tighten the loose skin that is found around the abdomen. In many cases, the patient may opt for an extended abdominoplasty, which also treats excess skin found on the back.

Thigh Lift

This plastic surgery procedure is very commonly performed after weight loss surgery. It is used to tighten up the excess flesh that appears on the upper thigh.

Arm Lift

Another common plastic surgery procedure after weight loss surgery, the arm lift tightens up the sagging skin commonly found on the upper arms, sometimes referred to as “bat wings.”

Breast Lift

This plastic surgery procedure is used to reduce sagging breasts, which are a common occurrence in both males and females after weight loss surgery.

Facelift and Neck Lift

These procedures address the excess skin that forms on the face and neck when the results of weight loss surgery begin to appear.

What weight loss surgery did to restore a patient’s looks and self confidence, sagging and excessive skin folds can take away. That’s because the psychological effects of trying to hide or live with what may appear to be a “deformity” to people who do not know any better can actually be more of a burden to the patient than their obesity was. That’s why so many patients who undergo weight loss surgical procedures like gastric bypass often seek plastic surgery a year or so after the procedure is performed.

If you are bothered by excess skin or other conditions that can be solved by plastic surgery after your weight loss surgery, see a certified plastic surgeon and ask him or her to help you explore your plastic surgery options.

While the chances are that your health insurance will not reimburse you for these procedures, the change in your appearance and the boost to your self esteem can be worth more than the price of plastic surgery.