Body Contouring after Massive Weight Loss Indianapolis, IN
Body Contouring Procedures after Weight Loss or Bariatric Surgery Indianapolis, Indiana
Weight loss is a great achievement for any person who has struggled with obesity. Whether the weight loss has occurred through diet and exercise or through bariatric surgery, the accomplishment of losing a large amount of weight is a benefit for overall health and well being. Unfortunately, many successful weight loss patients develop loose skin that itself can be burdensome and disheartening in spite of the goal of losing a large amount of weight has been reached.
Fortunately, many great plastic surgical procedures have been developed in response to the increasing number of people losing weight and the demand for body, breast, and facial features that match the individual’s new outlook on life.
Dr. David Slatton has a significant amount of experience in body contouring surgery after massive weight loss. Dr. Slatton’s background as an accomplished artist and extensive training in plastic surgery have enabled him to provide for his patients quality results that help them complete the journey from obesity to normal and reduced body weight.
Are You a Good Candidate for Body Contouring after Massive Weight Loss?
People who have lost a large amount of weight whose weight has stabilized and who have loose skin and/or residual fat deposits in all areas of their body are potential candidates for body contouring procedures after massive weight loss. Obviously, skin tightening is a major goal in these operations Often, medical conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure have improved and even resolved. All medical conditions should be well controlled prior to having surgery.
Body Contouring after Massive Weight Loss Procedures
Tummy Tuck also known as Abdominoplasty—loose abdominal skin, stretch marks, and overhanging skin folds in the abdominal area can result after massive weight loss. A Tummy Tuck procedure is helpful in improving these problems. In most patients, a High Lateral Tension Abdominoplasty is necessary. Refer to the Tummy Tuck information on our website for a detailed explanation of this procedure. When multiple areas of body contouring are desired a staged approach is necessary for maximizing safety. The abdominoplasty is frequently the first procedure performed because it is the work horse operation for addressing the problems of massive weight loss. Not infrequently, patients develop troubling recurrent rashes in the skin folds between the lower abdominal flap and upper thigh and mons pubis region. These rashes and other factors may qualify them for insurance coverage for a portion of the Tummy Tuck procedure.
Thigh Buttock Lift- Often, massive weight loss results in wrinkling of the skin of the outer (lateral) thighs and sagging of the buttocks. The Transverse Thigh Buttock Lift involves removing excess skin and fat deposits in the outer (lateral) thighs and buttocks region. The resulting scar is within the panty or belt line. Permanent stitches are used in the deep fat layer, otherwise known as the superficial facia system in order to maintain thinner scars and to prevent scar migration and ledge effect. An overnight hospital stay is indicated after this type of surgery.
Lower Body Lift also known as a Full Body Lift-For a select group of patients who have had massive weight loss, a Lower Body Lift is a good surgical option. Patients who are candidates for this procedure have the features of skin folding, wrinkling and sagging described above for the Tummy Tuck and Thigh Buttock Lift procedures. In fact, a Lower Body Lift is a combination of the High Lateral Tension Abdominoplasty and Transverse Thigh Buttock Lift. Another name for the Lower Body Lift is “Belt Lipectomy”. Refer to the Lower Body Lift page in this website for a description of the operation. This operation can be the first in treating the skin laxity that results for massive weight loss patients as it treats a significant areas of skin redundancy in one operation and creates a foundation for subsequent operations, specifically, the medial thigh lift
Medial Thigh Lift –also known as an Inner Thigh Lift-Laxity of skin of the inner thigh can occur with or without fat deposits after massive weight loss. This problem is best treated with a Medial Thigh Lift. The operation is accomplished by removing an elliptical wedge of skin along the thigh/groin crease in patients with moderate skin laxity. In people with severe skin laxity, wrinkling and folding in the inner thigh region, the excess skin is removed along the axis of the inner thigh resulting in an incision scar from the groin to the inner knee.. This procedure can be performed along with other procedures such as liposuction, arm lift, and breast lift.
Liposuction after Massive Weight Loss
Even though a large amount of weight may be lost through diet and exercise or bariatric surgery, residual fat deposits may persist that are unsightly. Liposuction is an effective procedure that is often performed along with the skin excision operations described above and below. The Tumescent Liposuction technique is the safest method of liposuction used when a combination of skin tightening is performed in body contouring procedures for massive weight loss. The reason being ultrasound or laser methods of emulsifying fat can compromise the blood supply to the remaining skin and treated areas, resulting in skin loss if used. For a full description of liposuction procedures used by Dr. David Sterling Slatton in Gainesville, Florida go to the Liposuction section of our website.
Tumescent Liposuction can be performed for the abdomen, back, waist, hips, thighs, and arms to enhance the result for the procedures used in body contouring after massive weight loss.
Arm Lift, also known as Brachioplasty is a procedure that removes redundant upper arm skin in that often develops after massive weight loss. Refer to our Arm Lift page in for a description of the procedure and the pre operative preparation and care for this operation.
Breast Augmentation after Massive Weight Loss—many women who lose a large amount of weight experience a significant loss of breast tissue and this can be distressing. Breast implants can improve breast appearance and both silicone gel and saline implants can be used. Refer to our Breast Augmentation page for a full description of this procedure as well as a description of the breast implants available.
Breast Lift after Massive Weight Loss – Many women loose both breast tissue and develop sagging of the breast skin after losing weight. A breast lift elevates the nipple and areola to a higher, perkier position and can be performed with or without breast implants. Refer to our Breast Lift page on this website for a discussion of Breast Lift procedures provided by Dr. Slatton. Breast Reduction may also be necessary after sustaining massive weight loss, although often the weight loss has involved a substantial loss of breast volume and most patients require a small breast reduction or breast liftCe
Breast Reduction for Men (Gynecomastia Treatment) after Massive Weight Loss – Men will often develop loose skin in the chest region after losing a large amount of weight. Residual male breast tissue may also remain. Excision of chest skin is required for this condition in most men who have lost large amounts of weight. Dr. Slatton uses redundant skin removal techniques that create a masculine appearance of the chest and thus does not employ techniques that are used for female breast reduction or lifts for men.
Cellulite Treatment--Collagenase Clostridium HIstolyticum--otherwise known as CCH will treat cellulite in areas where this problem exists when it is not due to skin laxity. Other fillers like Radiesse (Calcium Hydroxyapetite) can fill in areas of skin folds that may persists after skin laxity procedures such as body lifts are performed. Autologous fat injection can also be used to treat areas of skin irregularity. These procedures can be performed in the doctor's office.
Cost-Body Contouring procedures after massive weight loss are usually not covered by health insurance plans. The fees for these surgeries involve surgery center fees, and surgeons fees.
Financing-can be obtained for body contouring after massive weight loss procedures through several options—go to our financing page on this website for more information.
Benefits of Body Contouring Surgery after Massive Weight Loss—the journey from obesity to normal weight is often felt to be completed by patients who undergo these life changing and transforming operations. Maintaining Results through diet and exercise will enable one to enjoy their appearance for decades.
How to choose a Surgeon for Body Contouring after Massive Weight Loss -Dr. Slatton has an immense experience in body contouring for massive weight loss patients.
