Struggling with excess skin after weight loss? Here are your options
Dr. Emily Kirby regularly consults with patients who have achieved significant weight loss, particularly after bariatric surgery, semaglutide, or tirzepatide treatment. While losing a large amount of weight is a tremendous accomplishment, we understand that you may be left facing a new challenge: excess skin. Below, we explain the available options for excess skin removal.
Why excess skin occursOur skin naturally has elasticity, or the ability to bounce back when stretched, due to its collagen and elastin proteins. But after significant weight loss, your skin may not completely shrink back. This is because elasticity declines with age, and the amount of weight you lost (and how long you carried it) may be significant enough that the skin was stretched beyond its ability to bounce back. This excess skin can affect your appearance in clothing and can cause skin irritation or physical discomfort.
For loose skin that persists after you have maintained your goal weight for at least 3 months, you may decide to consider your surgical options. Excess skin removal surgery is the only effective way to address excess skin, and for many people, to fully enjoy the results of hard-earned weight loss.
Below we describe the range of post-bariatric body contouring procedures available to help you feel more comfortable and confident in your body.
Dr. Emily Kirby offers several surgical procedures designed for managing excess skin after weight loss surgery.
Post-bariatric abdominoplasty
An abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen and tightens weakened and separated abdominal muscles. This creates an abdominal profile that is smoother, stronger, and firmer.
Breast lift
After significant weight loss, breasts can lose volume and droop to a lower position on the chest wall. A breast lift (mastopexy) raises the breasts by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue, and it can be combined with breast implants if improved shape or upper pole fullness is needed.
Arm lift
Arm lift surgery (brachioplasty) removes skin from the upper arms, addressing the “bat wing” appearance common after massive weight loss. An extended version of the brachioplasty is used to tighten tissues along the sides of the chest and back.
Bra-line back lift
The bra-line back lift removes loose skin folds (or bra rolls) along the mid-back, for both women and men, to improve the fit of clothing and better reveal the results of your weight loss.
Thigh lift
A thigh lift (thighplasty) removes unwanted, excess skin and tissue from the thigh area (inner and/or outer) to achieve a more toned leg appearance.
Body lift
A body lift typically addresses excess skin around the abdomen, hips, back, and thighs in one procedure. This procedure is also referred to as body contouring after weight loss surgery, 360-degree body lift, or lower body lift.
Meet with a plastic surgeon to learn your optionsTo make an informed decision, seek the guidance of an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in post-weight loss body contouring surgery. During the consultation, your plastic surgeon will evaluate your health history, learn about your goals and concerns, and recommend a personalized treatment plan.
References on Plastic Surgery after Bariatric Surgery »
| Herman CK, Hoschander AS, Wong A. Post-Bariatric Body Contouring. Aesthetic Surgery Journal. 2015 Aug;35(6):672-87. doi: 10.1093/asj/sjv008. ElAbd R, Samargandi OA, AlGhanim K, Alhamad S, Almazeedi S, Williams J, AlSabah S, AlYouha S. Body Contouring Surgery Improves Weight Loss after Bariatric Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. 2021 Jun;45(3):1064-1075. doi: 10.1007/s00266-020-02016-2. Soldin M, Mughal M, Al-Hadithy N; Department of Health; British association of Plastic, ElAbd R, Samargandi OA, AlGhanim K, Alhamad S, Almazeedi S, Williams J, AlSabah S, AlYouha S. Body Contouring Surgery Improves Weight Loss after Bariatric Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. 2021 Jun;45(3):1064-1075. doi: 10.1007/s00266-020-02016-2. Reed LS. Brachioplasty with limited scar. Clinics in Plastic Surgery. 2014 Oct;41(4):753-63. doi: 10.1016/j.cps.2014.06.009. Mocquard C, Pluvy I, Chaput B, Hoogbergen MM, Watier E, Gandolfi S, Bertheuil N. Medial Thighplasty Improves Patient’s Quality of Life After Massive Weight Loss: a Prospective Multicentric Study. Obesity Surgery. 2021 Nov;31(11):4985-4992. doi: 10.1007/s11695-021-05654-w. Klinger M, Klinger F, Giannasi S, Bandi V, Vinci V, Catania B, Lisa A, Veronesi A, Battistini A, Giaccone M, Caviggioli F, Maione L. Aesthetic and Functional Abdominoplasty: Anatomical and Clinical Classification based on a 12-year Retrospective Study. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2021 Dec 20;9(12):e3936. doi: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000003936. |
If you are in the Fort Worth area, we invite you to schedule a consultation with Board-Certified Female Plastic Surgeon Dr. Emily Kirby, who will sit down with you to learn about your goals and to develop a safe, optimal surgical plan. Call or text 817-292-4200 to get started!
