Post-Bariatric
Weight Loss Surgery (Body Lift)
Post-Bariatric Weight Loss Surgery (Body Lift)
Post Bariatric Weight Loss & Post Bariatric Surgery in NYC
Losing a significant amount of weight can not only transform your body, it can also change your life. Dramatic weight loss improves your health, and leaves you looking and feeling better, both physically and emotionally. Achieving and maintaining a considerable weight loss is an extraordinary accomplishment that requires exceptional commitment, whether you manage it through bariatric surgery, with diet and exercise, or through a combination of both. It can be particularly disappointing then, when despite all of your hard work, you are unable to attain the body shape you want and deserve. Unfortunately, massive weight loss often leaves behind excess skin and muscle laxity that cannot be resolved by eating better or exercising harder. Skin that was once stretched over a larger body does not automatically “shrink” down to accommodate a smaller frame. Problem areas after significant weight loss can include sagging and deflated breasts; excess hanging skin in the abdomen, thighs, back, and arms; and loose facial skin. But just because you’ve reached your goal weight, it doesn’t mean that you can’t continue to improve your body. At Plastic Surgery & Dermatology of NYC, we offer a full range of post-bariatric treatments designed to remove and lift excess skin, tighten muscles, and improve overall contours in the face, neck, arms, breasts, back, abdomen, and thighs. Procedures may be performed in isolation, or combined to meet your specific needs. Find out more about post-bariatric procedure options below.
TUMMY TUCK (ABDOMINOPLASTY)
Even after you’ve lost all the weight, you may not be able to achieve the flat, sculpted abdomen you desire without help. Unfortunately, excess skin and stretched abdominal muscles cannot be tightened by spending more time at the gym. A tummy tuck can help remove excess skin and fat, while tightening abdominal muscles to create a firmer, flatter abdominal profile. Find out more about tummy tuck surgery.
BODY LIFT/LOWER BODY LIFT
Despite all your hard work, unwanted excess skin and stretched muscles may prevent you from being completely satisfied with the image you see in the mirror. Body lift surgery can help create the beautiful and natural contours you deserve after substantial weight loss. The body lift procedure is designed to lift and shape the entire midsection of your body by removing localized fat, trimming excess skin, and tightening lax muscles in the abdomen, thighs, and buttocks. Body lift surgery is often combined with liposuction in targeted areas to help sculpt and shape natural contours. Find out more about body lift/lower body lift surgery.
LIPOSUCTION
You’ve worked hard to lose all that weight, but stubborn deposits of excess fat may still remain in hard-to-tone places around your body. Problem areas include the abdomen, flanks, hips, buttocks, arms, and legs. Liposuction can help shape and sculpt the body by removing excess fatty deposits in targeted areas. Liposuction is often used in combination with other post-bariatric procedures, such as tummy tuck or breast surgery, to provide the best overall body contouring results. Find out more about liposuction.
UPPER BACK LIFT
While much attention is paid to excess skin in the abdomen, the back is not immune to aesthetic issues after considerable weight loss. Skin rolls can be present underneath the bra-line, often extending down the sides to the waistline. An upper back lift removes excess skin and fat, reduces skin rolls, and creates a tighter, more contoured back. Back lift surgery is often combined with other post-bariatric procedures, such as tummy tuck and body lift.
ARM LIFT (BRACHIOPLASTY)
Loose, sagging, and excess skin in the upper arms is often present in those who have undergone massive weight loss. For most people, excess fat and flaccid skin in the upper arms (sometimes called “bat wings”) cannot be eliminated and toned through diet and exercise alone. In addition to aesthetic issues, some patients may also experience physical problems with chafing, rashes, and skin irritation. An arm lift removes excess fat and skin, giving you attractive, well-contoured arms. Find out more about arm lift surgery.
BREAST LIFT (MASTOPEXY)
One unfortunate result of massive weight loss can be changes in the shape, position, and firmness of the breasts. A breast lift (mastopexy) can help correct sagging and drooping, raise breasts into a more youthful position, and improve breast shape and symmetry. Breast lift surgery may be performed on its own, or in combination with breast augmentation, in order to restore lost breast volume. Find out more about breast lift surgery.
BREAST AUGMENTATION (AUGMENTATION MAMMAPLASTY)
In some patients, massive weight loss translates into unwanted loss of volume in the breasts. Breast augmentation can help restore breast size and shape, while creating a beautiful, balanced, and natural-looking figure. After bariatric surgery, breast augmentation may be performed on its own, but is most often combined with a breast lift, to correct drooping and sagging, as well as volume deficiencies. Find out more about breast augmentation surgery.
COMBINATION BREAST AUGMENTATION AND BREAST LIFT
In most cases, women experience numerous breast changes after significant weight loss, ranging from loss of youthful shape and position to decreased size and changes in breast symmetry. A combination breast augmentation and breast lift can help address the full spectrum of breast changes, by increasing size, creating balance, and correcting sagging and drooping. Find out more about breast augmentation and breast lift surgery.
COMBINATION UPPER BODY SURGERY
A combination procedure can address a variety of issues in the upper body after bariatric surgery, including sagging breasts, loss of breast volume, and excess skin in the upper arms. Some patients may be candidates for an upper body lift, including breast augmentation, breast lift, and arm lift surgery.
THIGH LIFT (THIGHPLASTY)
After achieving your weight loss goals, you should be able to wear whatever clothes you desire. Unfortunately, many weight loss patients avoid wearing bathing suits or shorts because they are self-conscious about sagging and excess skin in the inner and outer thighs. In addition to aesthetic concerns, this condition can also cause physical problems with chafing and skin irritation. Thigh lift surgery lifts and reshapes the thighs by removing lax skin and hard-to-tone fatty deposits. Find out more about thigh lift surgery.
FACE AND NECK LIFT
The skin in the face and neck may appear loose and sagging after significant weight loss. Skin laxity often leads to more pronounced facial wrinkling and poor definition in the neck line. Other major aesthetic issues include the development of jowls, descent in the cheek and midface, and a loss of youthful volume. A facelift and neck lift procedure can lift and tighten loose and sagging skin, while repositioning the underlying soft tissue into a more natural and youthful foundation. Find out more about facelift and neck lift surgery.
LASER SKIN RESURFACING
Significant weight loss causes many changes in the skin. Skin that has been stretched over a larger frame does not automatically “shrink” to accommodate a smaller body. In addition to having excess skin that must be removed surgically, weight loss patients may develop stretch marks and changes in skin quality. New advances in laser and light therapy can improve skin texture and tone, tighten skin to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, and improve the appearance of stretch marks. Find out more about laser skin resurfacing and stretch mark revision.
| POST-BARIATRIC WEIGHT LOSS SURGICAL PROCEDURES AT A GLANCE | ||
| Procedure* | What it can do* | Back to work* |
| Tummy Tuck | Remove excess skin and tighten lax muscles in abdomen |
1-2 weeks |
| Body Lift/Lower Body Lift | Remove fat and excess skin; tighten muscles in abdomen, thighs, and buttocks | 10-14 days |
| Liposuction | Remove excess localized fat in targeted areas of body; sculpt and shape the body | 2-3 weeks |
| Upper Back Lift | Remove excess skin in back; improve back contours | Varies, depending on extent of procedure; can range from 1 day to 1 week |
| Arm Lift | Remove excess skin in upper arms; improve arm contours | 1 week |
| Breast Lift | Correct sagging breasts; reshape and lift breasts to more youthful position | 1 week |
| Breast Augmentation | Replace lost volume in breasts | 3-7 days |
| Combination Breast Augmentation and Breast Lift | Improve size, shape, and position of the breasts | 1 week |
| Upper Body Surgery | Improve size, shape, and position of breasts; remove excess skin from upper arms | 1-2 weeks |
| Thigh Lift | Remove excess skin and improve thigh contours | 1-2 weeks |
| Facelift and Neck Lift | Tighten sagging skin in face and neck; smooth wrinkles; restore youthful contours | 1-2 weeks |
| Laser Skin Resurfacing | Improve skin tone and texture; reduce appearance of stretch marks | Varies, according to extent of procedure; usually ranges from 2-5 days |
Is there anything I can do before and after my procedure to maximize results?
One of the many wonderful qualities that sets us apart at Plastic Surgery & Dermatology of NYC is our ability to use a multidisciplinary approach to optimize results. With expertise in both plastic surgery and dermatology, Dr. Elie Levine and Dr. Jody Levine work together to help prepare, protect, and treat the skin before, during, and after your procedure. As one of New York’s leading dermatologists, Dr. Jody Levine will customize a skincare regimen that includes pre-surgical measures to optimize your skin, as well as post-surgical skincare that can help prevent irritation, alleviate bruising and inflammation, and promote faster healing. Unlike other practices, we include these unique pre- and post-surgery skincare packages as part of your surgical plan. Our pre-surgery facials and microdermabrasion treatments help prepare your skin for surgery and ensure the best recuperation. Post-operative packages include lymphatic massage with our skilled medical aesthetician in order to enhance circulation, support healing and improved immunity function, and leave the skin looking radiant and healthy.* With our extensive array of lasers, we are able to provide post-surgical laser treatments to best accelerate your healing. The Drs. Levine will be happy to discuss with you the best skincare approach for your specific needs.
