Plastic Surgery After Weight Loss
Losing large amounts of weight, through bariatric surgery or through diet and exercise, is an exciting and great thing for people who are combating morbid obesity and trying to live a healthier lifestyle. However, in many cases, once the weight has been lost, the body is affected by loose, extra skin and pockets of fat that have accumulated in a variety of body areas. This is a very common occurrence, and it can have a very negative effect on one’s self-esteem. Fortunately, Dr. James F. Boynton offers a number of plastic surgery procedures that can be performed in combination or over a series of treatments that work to tighten the skin, recontour the body, and really bring out the positives of your new, slimmer physique.
While plastic surgery after weight loss procedures will create scarring in the treatment areas, Dr. Boynton ultimately believes that “shape wins over scars.” For many patients, achieving an improved shape is the most important thing. Scars are essentially just incision lines that improve with time—and when procedures are optimally performed, patients are generally happy that their improvements have been made.
If you would like more information on plastic surgery after weight loss treatments, please contact Dr. Boynton to schedule a consultation.
- Benefits of Plastic Surgery After Weight Loss
- Candidates for Plastic Surgery After Weight Loss
- Post-Bariatric and After-Weight Loss Surgery Options
- When Is the Best Time to Schedule Plastic Surgery After Weight Loss?
- Scarring from Plastic Surgery After Weight Loss Procedures
- Recovery from Plastic Surgery After Weight Loss Procedures
What Are the Benefits of Plastic Surgery After Weight Loss?
One of the best advantages of plastic surgery after weight loss treatment is the fact that it can take you another step toward reaching your ultimate goals. Losing large amounts of weight is a very big accomplishment, and it can be very disappointing to see that once the extra weight is gone, it is replaced with loose, excess skin. Plastic surgery after weight loss addresses this issue with the aim of giving you the results you were hoping for before you lost weight. Benefits can include:
- A firmer, tighter appearance in areas of abundant, drooping skin
- More toned-looking body contours in the abdomen, arms, buttocks, hips, and/or thighs
- Improved definition and silhouette in the face, jawline, and neck
- Relief from rashes, irritations, and infections caused by overhanging skin folds
- Easier range of movement during exercise and activities
At Boynton Plastic Surgery, our plastic surgeon will work with you to develop a customized surgical plan that is advantageous to your unique needs, while always keeping safety the top priority.
Am I a Candidate for Plastic Surgery After Weight Loss?
Individuals who have lost a significant amount of weight which has resulted in hanging, excess skin folds, and pockets of remaining stubborn fat may be ideal candidates for plastic surgery after weight loss. Other potential considerations for candidacy include:
- A state of well-being healthy enough to endure what may be a lengthy recovery period
- Cosmetic goals that include smoother, slimmer body contours
- The existence of dermatological issues caused by deep creases and folds of skin
- A healthy weight for a stable amount of time
Candidates must also be non-smokers or willing to quit smoking before and after the procedure. During a consultation with Dr. Boynton, he will thoroughly discuss your aesthetic concerns and goals, review your medical history, and discuss your best options within realistic expectations for post-weight loss body contouring procedures.
“Dr. Boynton is not only a fantastic Plastic Surgeon, but a great person. He listens to your questions, is honest about procedures, and offers the best advice. He will structure a plan, and suggest procedures that are individual and specific to YOU. Results are natural, and beautiful. His staff is friendly and knowledgeable. Love the comfortable atmosphere. There is a reason so many of my friends visit this outstanding practice – SIMPLY THE BEST! Thank you Dr. Boynton and staff for making my feel myself again!”
Will There Be Any Scarring from Plastic Surgery After Weight Loss Procedures?
As with all surgical procedures, there will be some residual scarring. Many procedures associated with body contouring typically involve some degree of skin excision, which will lead to scars in the treatment areas. Overall, the appearance of scars usually depends on the types and complexities of the chosen surgeries. For example, liposuction scars are less noticeable because they only require an incision measuring about half an inch in size, as opposed to a full abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) procedure, in which the incision can be expected to extend from hip bone to hip bone across the lower abdomen.
However, Dr. Boynton is a very skilled and experienced plastic surgeon and will work diligently to minimize the visibility of scars. He makes every effort to strategically place incisions in natural folds of the body or areas that can be easily concealed whenever possible. Dr. Boynton will provide post-surgery aftercare instructions to help patients properly care for and protect the incisions/wounds during the healing process, which can help to diminish the appearance of scars over time.
What Is Recovery Like With Plastic Surgery After Weight Loss?
Recovery from plastic surgery after weight loss procedures will completely depend on the type and amount of procedures you undergo. With major surgery, you should plan on staying home for a period of weeks—in some cases, only one to two weeks may be necessary; in others, more time will be required to ensure the best possible healing process. Dr. Boynton will go over all of your options and explain the details of recovery for each procedure during your initial consultation.
Any hospital stay requirements will depend on how many procedures you elect to have performed, whether they are staged or performed in combination, and what types of procedures they are. In some cases, patients may be eligible to have outpatient surgery for their plastic surgery after weight loss treatment; however, procedures such as upper and/or lower body lift will require overnight hospital stays.
Schedule a Plastic Surgery After Weight Loss Consultation
Dr. Boynton will be happy to meet with you for an initial consultation to discuss all options and aspects of plastic surgery after weight loss treatment. If you would like more information, or if you would like to schedule a consultation here at our practice, please contact us online or by phone today.
