Extreme weight loss can lead to inelastic, excess hanging skin, that cannot be reduced through diet and exercise. If you want your body’s image to match your dramatic weight loss journey, body contouring can help. Denton Plastic Surgery offers multiple types of post-weight loss surgery to relieve you of excess skin, contour your figure, and enhance your motivation to maintain your new shape. Areas that are often treated at our practice are the tummy, arms, thighs, and breasts.
Post-Weight Loss Surgery
Massive weight loss is a great accomplishment, whether done through diet and exercise or through bariatric surgery. Losing excess weight is great for your health, activities, and longevity. After this weight loss, however, most patients suffer from excess hanging skin on their bodies which can take some of the joy out of the experience. It diminishes how attractive and healthy they feel after all of their hard work, and often, their clothes do not fit properly as well.
At the Forefront of Body Contouring
Surgery focused on the contouring of the body after massive weight loss is a primary passion for our surgeons. These are some of the most challenging and the most rewarding surgeries for both patient and surgeon. We perform some of the latest contouring procedures, such as the purse string gluteoplasty and bra strap back lift. Massive weight loss is a difficult journey and a tremendous accomplishment. We consider it a privilege to partner with you in the completion of your journey to help you, at last, feel comfortable and confident in your own skin.
Our surgery center and staff are well-equipped for a wide variety of body contouring surgeries, which are performed safely and with great attention to detail.
The Procedure
Our surgeons are very excited to take part in the transformation process with a variety of surgical options that help patients look their best and feel better about their appearance after weight loss. We can eliminate and tighten any excess skin around the abdomen, back, thighs, upper arms, and neck. We can also perform this kind of surgery in stages, perhaps addressing one or two areas of highest concern first, easing the recovery process between procedures.
Are You a Candidate for Post Weight Loss Surgery?
If you have lost a significant amount of weight but have areas of loose, sagging skin, you might be a good candidate for post-weight loss surgery or custom body contouring.
A consultation and examination in our office can determine which post-weight loss surgery is recommended for you. In your consultation, we will perform a thorough examination and determine how to best treat your individual areas of concern.
We will then work with you to create a surgery or even a series of surgeries that will suit your needs. This specific plan will be explained to you by Dr. Flugstad and Dr. Rivet, and will be designed to optimize both your results and safety.
Body Contouring Procedures
Tummy Tuck
In this procedure, we treat excess skin and fat from the tummy and waist. We also tighten the abdominal muscles and move the navel to a central position.* Sometimes, a more advanced tummy tuck, such as an extended tummy tuck, is required to correct the full amount of skin excess.
Buttock Lift
A butt lift removes sagging skin from the buttocks. If augmentation is needed to create the rounded appearance you want, we can perform a purse-string gluteoplasty technique, which uses your own tissue to augment the buttocks.
Arm Lift
It is not uncommon to have sagging skin on the upper arms after massive weight loss. In an arm lift surgery, this excess skin is addressed to create a tightly contoured arm. This procedure can also correct the excess tissue and skin on the sides of your chest (thoracoplasty).
Thigh Lift
A thigh lift removes excess skin from the thighs to create tighter, smoother upper legs.* This is done in the inner thighs, outer thighs, or circumferentially, as necessary.
Breast Lift
A breast lift removes any excess skin that causes the breasts to sag and lifts them to a central, more attractive position on the chest. Sometimes an implant is used to improve the shape and size of the breast as well.
Back Lift
The bra line back lift technique, also called an upper body lift, creates a tighter contour in the back so that no excess skin or fat bulges around the bra straps.
Gynecomastia Surgery
Men with gynecomastia have developed the appearance of breasts on the chest. This technique removes the excess tissue and creates a flat, masculine-looking chest.
Body Lift (Circumferential Abdominoplasty)
A body lift is a circumferential abdominoplasty (sometimes called a belt lipectomy). The incision continues around the back so that excess skin in both the front and back can be addressed. The outer thighs and buttocks also benefit from lifting during this surgery. A body lift is a combination of abdominoplasty in the front, and a buttock and lower body lift on the back and sides.
Bra Line Back Lift (Upper Body Lift)
A bra line back lift, also known as an upper body lift, is a specialized procedure developed to treat excess skin, folds, and rolls in the mid-back area. This surgical treatment removes the excess fat and skin at the upper back and bra line to create a more sculpted, firm, attractive figure, free from back fat rolls.
A Recent Development in Body Contouring
Until about ten years ago, there was not a successful treatment for the bulges of fat and skin at the mid-back area. The bra line back lift was invented by one of Dr. Flugstad’s mentors, the innovative and gifted Dr. Joseph Hunstad.
What Is This Procedure Designed to Address?
- The unwanted bulge of extra skin and fat above bra straps
- Back fat rolls that weight loss has not handled, and which lead to embarrassment
- The loose flesh caused by aging or weight loss, leaving sagging skin and tissue folds in the areas of the back
- The physical discomfort of ill-fitting clothes and excess fat affecting your appearance
Are You a Candidate for a Bra Line Back Lift?
Excess skin and fat in the mid-back can cause a lumpy appearance under shirts, tops, dresses, and swimsuits. This unsightly condition can now be corrected with a state-of-the-art surgical technique performed by Dr. Flugstad and Dr. Rivet. If you are unhappy with the appearance of excess fat and skin on your mid-back, you are likely a good candidate for a bra line back lift.
How Is the Surgery Performed?
The bra line back lift is most often performed under general anesthesia. The area of skin removal is carefully marked prior to surgery. The normal outline of your preferred bra will also be marked, as the scar is cleverly hidden within the boundaries of your bra. The procedure itself is about two hours in length and involves the removal of skin and underlying fat that forms folds or rolls. Once the procedure is over, you will be able to return home to rest and recover. Typically, no drains are needed, and dressings are minimal.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Will I be able to wear a bra right away?
Not until the sutures heal or dissolve, probably in about two weeks. After that time, you may wear a loose-fitting or leisure bra. Rest and recover, and dress in loose, comfortable garments so your incisions heal quickly and correctly.
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Will I need liposuction to get rid of the fat in my back?
Not usually. Most of the time, our surgeons can excise the fatty tissue while the incision is open, as well as the sagging skin, so you will have a smooth, firm back you will feel comfortable revealing in swimwear or any clothing.
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Will I have much scarring?
All incisions produce some scarring, however with the bra line back lift, once healed, the scarring is minimal. You will be able to wear more revealing clothing, including swimsuits, with confidence.
Denton Plastic Surgery is conveniently located to provide these plastic surgery services to patients. To schedule a body contouring consultation, contact our office online or by calling (940) 287-3795.