When we gain weight, the skin stretches to accommodate the extra tissue. However, the stretched skin often doesn't bounce back when we lose weight. As a result, people who have lost a lot of weight may have loose, sagging skin. In some cases, surgery may be the only way to fix the problem.
Please schedule a consultation if you are interested in surgery after weight loss in San Antonio at Hill Country Plastic Surgery.
Loose skin can be a major problem for people who have lost a significant amount of weight. Not only can it affect self-esteem, but it can also lead to health problems such as infections and rashes. A body lift can help remove excess skin and improve the contour of the body. A body lift can include reducing the skin in the abdomen, thighs, groin, and buttocks. In some cases, it can also include the back and arms.
At Hill Country Plastic Surgery, we believe each patient deserves to feel comfortable and confident in their skin. Our doctors lead patients through the plastic surgery decision, process, care, and changes through education and devoted time. We walk beside you to help restore your body to the desired shape and feel and to change your feelings of hesitation and frustration to those of confidence. We will celebrate your achievements with you.
Excess skin under the arms and on the inside of the thighs are treated with an arm lift and thigh lift, respectively. See our procedure pages on arm lift and thigh lift for more information.
Sagging skin below the area of the bra line can be lifted through a procedure called a back lift. In a back lift, the excess skin is removed horizontally across the back.
The breasts may have a deflated and droopy appearance after weight loss. A breast lift can reshape the breasts, so they have a more youthful and lifted appearance. For drooping breasts that have good volume, an auto-augmentation procedure can be done. For breasts that need added volume, an augmentation with an implant can be done. See our breast lift and breast augmentation pages for more information.
The abdomen can be contoured through an abdominoplasty or a panniculectomy. Both an abdominoplasty and panniculectomy remove excess skin of the lower abdomen but the abdominoplasty also includes tightening of the area between the muscles. This tightening, also called a plication, helps give a more tapered appearance to the abdomen like an “internal corset.” Some patients will have extra skin that has to be removed on the lower abdomen and vertically. For additional information see our tummy tuck page.
Excess skin and drooping of the buttocks, thighs, and abdomen can be treated with a body lift. In this procedure, a “belt” of skin is removed around the lower abdomen and extending around the back. The buttocks, abdomen, waist and thighs are tightened and lifted.
When can I resume normal activity and exercise?
How long is recovery?
How long before I see my results?
How much is a body lift in San Antonio?
Will insurance cover a body lift?
On average, patients can return to full activities, including working out at the gym, 6 weeks after surgery.
You will be able to return to light duty at 2 weeks and to full activities at 6 weeks. We recommend that you always wear your compression garments for the first 6 weeks except when showering.
Results are visible immediately after surgery, but the full results will not be seen for many months. For the first three days after surgery, you will be swollen. After that, the swelling starts to resolve. You won’t see a significant amount of the swelling go down until around 3 weeks. It may take years to see the full results of the surgery and up to two years to see the final outcome.
The price of a body lift is dependent on how much skin and fat need to be removed. Sometimes, liposuction is recommended to remove excess fat from the treated areas.
A body lift is not typically covered by insurance. Sometimes removal of only the abdominal skin may be covered by insurance but tightening of the abdominal muscles is not covered. We recommend you call your insurance carrier for more information.
Your journey to a happier, more confident life starts with a private, in-depth consultation with your surgeon, where we learn about you and your vision and goals. Discover San Antonio’s premier clinic for plastic surgery.
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