For men and women who’ve struggled with obesity over the years, dramatic weight loss is often a lifelong journey that requires much preparation and patience. This process can often yield significant benefits, from improved confidence to a longer life.
With this in mind, dramatic weight loss doesn’t equate to an immediately slimmer appearance; in fact, some patients who’ve undergone substantial weight loss find themselves somewhat underwhelmed with their overall appearance, especially when they are left with excess skin. After all the hard work they’ve undergone to achieve their slimmer figure and a healthier lifestyle, this unwanted baggage can undercut their massive achievements.
For many of these patients, plastic surgery can be an excellent final step in the body transformation process. Below, our skilled plastic surgeons discuss the advantages that cosmetic surgery can deliver for weight loss patients.
I Lost Weight. Why Do I Have This Extra Skin?
While you may not know it, your skin is exposed to a great deal over the course of your life. From sun exposure and damage to the natural aging process, the skin is uniquely able to heal and stretch thanks to all-important collagen and elastin. These proteins contribute to the strength and elasticity of your skin, allowing it to recover and remain firm and tight over the years.
Meanwhile, weight fluctuation is a normal part of life. As individuals put on pounds, the skin stretches to accommodate the increased growth. When a person gains weight then loses it within a few months, collagen and elastin help the skin tighten back up (think pregnant women). This allows patients to return to their original size and shape with relative ease.
That said, extreme weight gain over periods of years doesn’t have the same effect. When the excess weight is carried around for years, the skin stretches to the point where the collagen and elastin fibers are permanently damaged. As a result, once the weight is lost, the skin in the area can remain stretched out and loose.
Age can also impact whether or not the skin will return to its original position. While collagen production remains high during our youth and young adult years, it ultimately slows as we grow older. Environmental stressors and the natural aging process cause damage faster than collagen and elastin can be produced, diminishing the amount available. For men and women who’ve lost substantial weight later in life, it can be extremely difficult to remove or retract excess skin without some type of removal process.
Remove Extra Skin With These Surgical Options!
Worried about extra skin keeping you from enjoying your hard work? Surgery to eliminate unwanted skin can help you finally achieve the body shape you’ve dreamed of.
Not all reconstructive treatments are the same. As with weight loss procedures, your plastic surgery may involve a combination of treatments tailored to fit your needs and goals. Some of the options available at our state-of-the-art facility in Oakville include:
Arm Lift
Also called “brachioplasty,” an arm lift can remove excess skin from the upper arms and hide the incision on the inside of the bicep.
Breast Lift
Substantial fat loss can occur anywhere on the body, including the breasts. During a breast lift procedure, the breasts are reconstructed into a more flattering position higher up on the chest, allowing women to gain a more flattering appearance. For men, excess tissue in this area can be removed to reveal a more masculine figure.
Thigh and Buttock Lift
As with the breasts, dramatic weight loss can lead to sagging tissue around the rear. A thigh lift or buttock lift can provide an excellent option for recontouring this area.
Tummy Tuck
Abdominoplasty, or “tummy tuck surgery,” can allow patients to remove extra tissue from the midsection and reveal a slimmer waistline.
Surgical Skin Tightening
At ICLS, we can perform a number of strategies for surgical skin tightening, often incorporating liposuction techniques and radiofrequency (RF) energy.
From consultation to the final evaluation, the plastic surgeons at ICLS are your partners in total body transformation. Our mission is to ensure you have all the information necessary to make the best decision for your health and goals. Together, we’ll build the perfect plastic surgery treatment for you. Learn more about dramatic weight loss surgery by calling our team today!