Overview

Excess skin around the abdomen, legs, arms, breasts and neck can develop after weight loss surgery. We recommend that patients dissatisfied with this condition schedule a consultation for body contouring (the removal of excess skin) with Dr. Broc Lane who's focus is on the mommy make-over, body contouring after weight loss, and cosmetic labiaplasty.

The best candidates for body contouring are:

Patients who have achieved their maximum level of weight loss
Patients who have large amounts of excess skin with multiple loose skin rolls and folds
Patients who wish to enhance body image, not lose additional weight
Patients who do not smoke

Learn more about Body Contour surgery and weight loss.

The optimal time for body contouring is when the patient has sustained their maximum weight-loss plateau for at least one year. Typically, one-to-three surgical procedures are required involving different parts of the body. Additionally, secondary tightening procedures are often necessary to refine or maintain results since a patient's skin is generally very lax and thin after major weight loss. Since these patients are no longer overweight and are presumably physically fit, the risk of potential complications from anesthesia and additional surgery is reduced. However, it is generally safer to space procedures out rather than have more than one simultaneously.

These procedures ARE NOT a substitute for weight loss or treatment for obesity and/or cellulite. The most favorable results are obtained with supplementation of diet and exercise.

 Will Insurance Approve These Procedures?

Body contouring is rarely covered by insurance because it is defined as cosmetic. In exceptional instances insurance may pay for surgeries, though medical necessity must be thoroughly documented by the primary care physician for a minimum of six months.

 Procedures

Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)

Excess skin and fat are removed from the abdominal area, the skin is tightened and scars and stretch marks on the lower abdomen are treated. Loose abdominal fascia is tightened to further contour and redefine the waistline, restoring a more youthful appearance. Abdominal hernia or bulge repair can also be done. Depending on the patient's shape, a number of options are recommended, including endoscopic abdominoplasty, mini abdominoplasty, full abdominoplasty or panniculectomy. In varying degrees, these procedures remove the fatty apron of tissue from around the abdomen.

Liposuction

The most commonly performed plastic surgical procedure in the country, liposuction uses small incisions to remove unwanted fatty tissue from different body areas. The most suitable candidates are those who are of relatively normal weight with pockets of excess fat and firm, elastic skin, though patients without excess skin can also benefit.

Belt Lipectomy

Patients who have rolls of skin on the back or abdomen and loose outer thighs or sagging buttocks are best treated with circumferential removal of excess tissue around the waistline. Patients should expect a flatter abdomen, more defined waistline, lifted outer thighs and higher buttocks.

Mastopexy

With age and weight loss, breasts can lose volume and sag, nipples can shift downward and areolae can enlarge. Other factors such as pregnancy and nursing also contribute to loss of elasticity. By removing excess skin and lifting the nipples, the breasts are made firmer. During the procedure, the areolae can be reduced and breast implants inserted if the patient has lost significant breast mass.

Breast Reduction (Reduction Mammoplasty)

Large, heavy breasts can cause back, shoulder and neck pain as well as recurrent skin irritations, skeletal deformities, breathing problems and headaches. Breast-reduction procedures will alleviate symptoms while preserving breast shape. Excess skin and breast tissue are removed, the nipple repositioned and the breast reshaped. Liposuction can also be applied to remove excess fat from the sides of the breast.

Inner Thigh Lift

To restore lower-body proportions and relieve irritation, this procedure removes excess fat and loose skin on the inner thighs and tightens the remaining skin. Scars are obscured when possible. Results are often improved with liposuction.

Brachioplasty

The loose skin that has developed around the upper arm is tightened and lifted. Additional contouring can be achieved with liposuction.

Face Lift/Neck Lift

The gradual loosening of skin and the loss or descent of fat that comes with aging and weight loss is most evident around the cheeks and neck. Tightening the facial skin and re-elevating its deeper structures using incisions strategically placed to minimize the visibility of any possible scarring achieves a more youthful, natural appearance. Suitable candidates have deep lines around the corner of the mouth, loss of a well-defined jaw line, sagging skin near the cheekbones and loose skin with wrinkles or excess fatty tissue in the neck.