What are the options for excess skin removal after significant weight loss. How does body contouring work after bariatric surgery. What should patients expect during recovery from skin removal procedures.

Understanding Excess Skin After Massive Weight Loss

Significant weight loss, particularly following bariatric surgery, often results in excess, sagging skin. This phenomenon occurs because the skin, while flexible, has limited capacity to contract after being stretched for extended periods. Dr. Robert Gilman, a clinical associate professor of plastic surgery at Michigan Medicine, explains:

“When a person is significantly overweight, they have a thick layer of fat that stretches all the skin out. When people lose a great deal of weight, the thickness of tissue decreases, but the skin has limited capacity to accommodate for that, so it results in extra skin.”

This excess skin can cause various physical and emotional challenges for individuals who have achieved substantial weight loss. It’s not merely a cosmetic issue; loose skin can lead to serious health complications and significantly impact a person’s quality of life.

Common Issues Associated with Excess Skin

• Physical discomfort and pain
• Difficulty exercising and moving
• Skin irritation and rashes
• Increased risk of skin infections
• Challenges with fitting into clothing
• Negative impact on body image and self-esteem

The Rise of Body Contouring Procedures

As the number of bariatric surgeries increases, so does the demand for body contouring procedures. In 2020, nearly 200,000 Americans underwent bariatric surgery, according to the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. This trend is not limited to the United States; countries like Australia have seen the number of weight loss surgeries more than double in recent years.

Body contouring, a series of plastic surgeries designed to remove excess skin, has become an increasingly popular solution for those dealing with the aftermath of significant weight loss. These procedures aim to address both the physical and emotional challenges associated with excess skin.

Is body contouring the only effective solution for excess skin?

Despite claims from various companies about creams, lotions, and laser treatments for skin tightening, Dr. Gilman emphasizes that these methods do not provide significant benefits for loose skin after bariatric surgery. He states, “You cannot exercise extra skin away. If you’ve lost a significant amount of weight and you have a significant amount of loose skin, surgery is the only thing you can do.”

Types of Body Contouring Procedures

Body contouring surgeries can be performed on various parts of the body, depending on the patient’s needs and preferences. Dr. Peter Rubin, chair of plastic surgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, notes that these surgeries can be done “from head to toe.” Some of the most common procedures include:

1. Panniculectomy (abdominoplasty or tummy tuck)
2. Arm lifts
3. Female breast reshaping
4. Male breast reductions
5. Thigh and buttock lifts and reshaping
6. Face and neck lifts
7. Liposuction

The choice of procedure(s) often depends on the areas that patients find most bothersome and where excess skin is causing the most significant issues.

Eligibility and Timing for Body Contouring

Body contouring is not an immediate solution following weight loss surgery. Patients must meet specific clinical criteria before they can undergo these procedures. One of the most critical requirements is maintaining their goal weight for at least 6 months.

Dr. Rubin explains the reasoning behind this waiting period: “You don’t want to take someone to the operating room who’s actively losing weight.” Generally, plastic surgeons will only perform these procedures 12 to 18 months after bariatric surgery.

Why is there a waiting period before body contouring surgery?

The waiting period serves several purposes:

• Ensures weight stability
• Allows the body to adjust to the new weight
• Reduces the risk of complications during surgery
• Improves the overall outcome of the contouring procedures

The Body Contouring Procedure: What to Expect

During body contouring procedures, patients are placed under general anesthesia. The surgeon then trims excess skin and fat, and the remaining skin is sutured together. The specific techniques used may vary depending on the area being treated and the extent of excess skin.

It’s important to note that these procedures can be extensive and may require multiple surgeries to achieve the desired results. Patients should be prepared for a significant recovery period and understand that the procedures will leave scars.

How long does recovery from body contouring typically take?

Dr. Rubin provides insight into the recovery process: “After undergoing body contouring procedures, people should expect to be out of work for 2 to 4 weeks, and hold off on strenuous activities for at least 6 weeks.” The exact recovery time can vary depending on the extent of the procedures and individual healing rates.

Risks and Considerations of Body Contouring

Like any major surgery, body contouring procedures come with potential risks and complications. Patients should be aware of these risks and discuss them thoroughly with their surgeon before deciding to undergo the procedures.

What are the main risks associated with body contouring surgeries?

The primary risks include:

• Fluid buildup
• Infections
• Bleeding
• Adverse reactions to anesthesia
• Poor wound healing
• Blood clots
• Asymmetry or unsatisfactory aesthetic results

Additionally, patients should be prepared for extensive scarring. While the appearance of scars can vary from person to person, they are an inevitable result of these procedures. For example, Rosalina Finelli, who underwent multiple body contouring surgeries, has a 15-inch scar on each arm, two 360-degree scars around her breast and upper back and lower abdomen, and a 10-inch vertical scar down her torso.

The Cost of Body Contouring

The financial aspect of body contouring is a significant consideration for many patients. These procedures can be costly, and insurance coverage varies widely.

How much do body contouring procedures typically cost?

According to Dr. Rubin, the cost can range between $5,000 and $10,000 per procedure. However, this is a general estimate, and the actual cost can vary depending on factors such as:

• The specific procedures being performed
• The extent of excess skin removal needed
• The surgeon’s experience and location
• Hospital or surgical facility fees
• Anesthesia costs
• Post-operative care and medications

In some cases, insurance companies may cover the cost of body contouring procedures, particularly if the excess skin is causing medical issues. However, coverage depends on the state and individual insurance plans. Patients should check with their insurance providers to understand what costs, if any, may be covered.

The Impact of Body Contouring on Quality of Life

While body contouring procedures come with risks and challenges, many patients report significant improvements in their quality of life following these surgeries. The removal of excess skin can alleviate physical discomfort, improve mobility, and boost self-esteem.

Brenda Langford, who underwent weight loss surgery in 2018, describes the profound impact of excess skin on her mental health and daily life. She experienced painful rashes where her skin folds rubbed against each other and found it difficult to exercise, walk properly, or even fit into clothing.

Similarly, Rosalina Finelli, who lost 216 pounds after weight loss surgery, struggled with the physical and emotional toll of excess skin. She described constant pressure from the hanging skin on her back, stomach, and knees, which caused pain and affected her ability to celebrate her weight loss achievement fully.

How can body contouring improve a patient’s life after significant weight loss?

Body contouring can lead to numerous improvements:

• Reduced physical discomfort and pain
• Improved mobility and ability to exercise
• Decreased risk of skin infections and rashes
• Better fitting clothing options
• Enhanced body image and self-confidence
• Improved overall quality of life

For many patients, these benefits outweigh the risks and challenges associated with the procedures. However, it’s crucial for individuals considering body contouring to have realistic expectations and a clear understanding of what the procedures entail.

Preparing for Body Contouring Surgery

If you’re considering body contouring after significant weight loss, proper preparation is key to achieving the best possible outcomes. Here are some steps to take as you prepare for these procedures:

1. Consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon experienced in post-weight loss body contouring
2. Maintain a stable weight for at least 6 months
3. Stop smoking, as it can interfere with healing
4. Optimize your nutrition to support recovery
5. Discuss any medications or supplements you’re taking with your surgeon
6. Arrange for help during your recovery period
7. Prepare your home for a comfortable recovery

Remember that body contouring is a significant undertaking, both physically and emotionally. It’s important to have a strong support system in place and to be mentally prepared for the recovery process.

What should patients ask their surgeon during a body contouring consultation?

During your consultation, consider asking the following questions:

• What specific procedures do you recommend for my situation?
• How many surgeries will I need, and what will be the timing between them?
• What are the potential risks and complications specific to my case?
• Can I see before and after photos of patients with similar cases?
• What kind of scarring should I expect?
• What is the expected recovery time for each procedure?
• How can I best prepare for surgery and recovery?
• What are the total costs, and are any portions covered by insurance?

By thoroughly discussing these points with your surgeon, you can gain a clearer understanding of what to expect and make an informed decision about proceeding with body contouring.

Skin Removal After Weight Loss Surgery: What to Know

Written by Ashley Welch

Dec. 6, 2022 – Rosalina Finelli from Deerfield Beach, FL, lost 216 pounds after weight loss surgery in November 2019. While she wanted to celebrate her achievement, the procedure left her with excess skin on her arms, back, chest, belly, and upper thighs.

Finelli says she constantly felt pressure from the hanging skin on her back, stomach, and knees.

“From the pain I felt from the weight pulling on my nerves to looking at myself in the mirror, wanting to celebrate the weight loss, but not loving what I saw, it was a daily struggle,” she says. 

The nearly 2 years she lived with the excess skin were physically, mentally, and emotionally painful, Finelli says. She eventually found relief through a series of plastic surgeries referred to as “body contouring,” which removes excess skin from the body.

In 2020, almost 200,000 Americans had bariatric surgery, according to the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. While the procedure can help people with obesity lose a significant amount of weight and lead to improved health and quality of life, an unpleasant side effect is the loose, excessive skin that once held the now-lost weight. And excess skin can cause serious health issues. 

Why Does Loose Skin Occur After Bariatric Surgery? 

While skin is flexible, quickly losing a lot of weight doesn’t give the organ time to shrink and contract, in part because the more skin is stretched, the less elastic it is.

“When a person is significantly overweight, they have a thick layer of fat that stretches all the skin out,” explains Robert Gilman, MD, a clinical associate professor of plastic surgery at Michigan Medicine in Ann Arbor. “When people lose a great deal of weight, the thickness of tissue decreases, but the skin has limited capacity to accommodate for that, so it results in extra skin.” 

After Brenda Langford, 46, had weight loss surgery in 2018, the excess skin that hung down from her belly reached halfway to her knees.  

She is from Queensland, Australia, a country where the number of people having weight loss surgery has more than doubled in recent years. She says the effect of excess skin on her mental health was “profound.” She also had painful rashes where her skin folds rubbed against each other, a common complication that can lead to skin infections.

“I couldn’t exercise or walk properly, I could barely fit into clothing, as none of it is made for the anatomical anomalies that I was experiencing, and I was finding the ability to work arduous,” Langford says. 

What Body Contouring Entails 

During body contouring procedures, the patient is put under general anesthesia, and a surgeon trims excess skin and fat. Remaining skin is sutured together. 

“These surgeries can really be done from head to toe,” says Peter Rubin, MD, chair of plastic surgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. 

Surgeons focus on areas of the body that patients find most bothersome. Rubin says one of the most common contouring procedures is a panniculectomy, also called an abdominoplasty or tummy tuck.

Other procedures include arm lifts, female breast reshaping, male breast reductions, thigh and buttock lifts and reshaping, face and neck lifts, and liposuction.

People must meet certain clinical criteria before they get body contouring, including maintaining their goal weight for at least 6 months. 

“You don’t want to take someone to the operating room who’s actively losing weight,” Rubin says. 

Generally, a plastic surgeon will perform these procedures only 12 to 18 months after bariatric surgery.

The cost can range between $5,000 and $10,000 per procedure, Rubin says. Sometimes, insurance companies cover the bill, depending on the state and individual plans.

Gilman notes that while many companies tout creams, lotions, and laser treatments for skin tightening, they will not give patients significant benefit when it comes to loose skin after bariatric surgery. Neither will diet or exercise.

“You cannot exercise extra skin away,” he says. “If you’ve lost a significant amount of weight and you have a significant amount of loose skin, surgery is the only thing you can do.”

Recovery and Risks 

“After undergoing body contouring procedures, people should expect to be out of work for 2 to 4 weeks, and hold off on strenuous activities for at least 6 weeks,” Rubin says.

Risks from body contouring procedures are the same as with any major surgery, and include fluid buildup, infections, and bleeding. 

Another thing to consider is that skin removal surgeries leave scars, which vary from person to person but can be extensive.

Finelli has a 15-inch scar on each arm, two 360-degree scars – one around her breast and upper back, and another around her lower abdomen – and a 10-inch vertical scar down her stomach. 

“Some days, I joke around that I look like Frankenstein, but I would do it all over again,” she says.  

She’s also not afraid to show off her scars, saying they’re “part of the journey.”

Langford endured long recoveries, needing to take about 2 months off work for each set of her surgeries, and she dealt with swelling for months after. She agrees the payoff was worth it. 

“I spent decades loathing my body,” she says. “And now, at age 46, I’m finally free of that torment.”

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MedBlog

Plastic Surgery

April 21, 2021

Plastic Surgery

Al Aly, M. D.

Plastic Surgery

After significant weight loss, patients are often frustrated by the excess layer of skin that remains.

Bariatric surgery can be a transformative procedure for people who have lived for years with morbid obesity. Not only do many patients experience significant weight loss, but their blood pressure typically improves and other serious health conditions such as heart disease and diabetes become much more manageable.

After losing so many pounds, excess skin often will not shrink back to the underlying muscle and bone structure. Instead, it hangs from the body like a poorly fitted piece of clothing, making it tough to move on with your new, healthier life.

The excess “dress” or “suit” – also called the skin-fat envelope – can affect everything from how you look to how you feel and move.

Bariatric surgery was pioneered at the University of Iowa, and it was there that we first developed plastic surgery procedures tailored to meet the goals of patients following significant weight loss.

Several procedures can address the skin-fat envelope after substantial weight loss.

Eventually, we wrote the first book on the subject: “Body Contouring After Massive Weight Loss,” which is still considered the gold standard. Since then, our surgical techniques have been taught in more than 35 countries around the world.

As weight loss surgery became more common in the early 2000s, we developed safe, effective procedures to tighten the skin-fat envelope around the underlying musculoskeletal structure, bringing patients closer to their ideal shape.

Our approach offers tightening in four key areas of the body:

• Lower trunk (the belly, buttocks, and flanks)
• Upper trunk (breasts/chest, mid-back and upper back, and arms)
• Upper arms
• Thighs

UT Southwestern’s Post-Bariatric Body Contouring Team works closely with colleagues in our accredited Bariatric Surgery Center and Medical Bariatric Wellness Program to provide patients access to the most advanced medical and surgical approaches, which, ultimately, give them the best chance at living the lives they’ve always imagined after substantial weight loss.

About the procedures

Eligibility for surgery

Body contouring procedures are major surgeries. To achieve the best outcomes, you must be in overall good health and be:

• A nonsmoker: Tobacco use constricts the blood vessel system, increasing surgical risks.
• Stable weight close to your goal weight: Generally, being at a lower weight leads to better results and fewer complications. Ideally, you’ll be at that stable weight for three to six months before surgery.
• Emotionally stable: Going through drastic physical changes requires resilience and the ability to focus on the end goal.
• Willing to maintain adequate nutrition: Eating a healthy diet supports successful healing after surgery.
• Prepared to maintain your weight: Regaining a substantial amount of weight will reverse any, and possibly all, of the benefits of body contouring surgery.

Three factors affect the presentation to the plastic surgeon once weight loss has stabilized:

1. Current weight
2. The pattern in which fat deposits on your body
3. The quality of your skin-fat envelope.

Based on these factors we work through your goals and delineate what you can expect from surgery.

Potential risks

We’ll discuss the benefits and risks of body contouring. Complications can include:

• Blood clots if patients do not mobilize quickly after surgery
• Fluid collections (seromas) at the surgical site
• Infection and bleeding, which are risks of any surgery
• Slow wound healing or wound separation

Each of the four body contouring procedures result in some scarring, which your surgeon will try to conceal as much as possible. For most patients, scarring is a worthwhile tradeoff for losing excess skin.

Body contouring procedures

Belt lipectomy: Buttocks, abdomen, and flanks (love handles)

Belt lipectomy, or a lower body lift, is a more comprehensive alternative to the tummy tuck for patients after massive weight loss. The procedure addresses the excess skin and fat envelope 360 degrees around the body, including the love handles and rear end.

Our team of board-certified plastic surgeons has been performing belt lipectomy longer than any other team in the world. (Our techniques also do not require surgical drains, which makes postoperative care and recovery a bit easier.)

The midsection carries most of a patient’s excess skin, and the trunk helps support and control nearly all of your daily movements. Because of this, belt lipectomy requires a 360-degree approach to the abdomen, flanks, and buttocks, all performed in a single surgical procedure.

During this procedure, your surgeon will make incisions around the body, removing a wedge of skin and fat that is shaped like a boxing championship belt, wide in the front and narrow in the back. This will create a flat belly, lift the pubic area, create as much waist definition as your anatomy allows, and lift your thighs and buttocks.

Recovery: This is an extensive surgery that should be approached as a major life event. Although you will be out of bed the day of surgery, your return to normal activity can take six to eight weeks.

Dr. Al Aly explains how a lower body lift, or belt lipectomy, addresses the excess skin and fat envelope 360 degrees around the body. The procedure, which he helped pioneer, is considered more comprehensive than a tummy tuck for patients who have lost a significant amount of weight following bariatric surgery.

Upper body lift: Chest, upper back, and upper arms

Loose skin that rolls or sags around the chest, upper back, and upper arms greatly decreases the types of clothing a patient may feel comfortable wearing. An upper body lift is designed to eliminate these types of problems. This procedure involves a harmonization of multiple procedures to reshape the upper body.

Depending on your needs, your upper body lift may include:

• Creating a more muscular-looking chest shape in a male, eliminating excess breast tissue
• Lifting, reducing, and/or augmenting the breasts in a female
• Eliminating skin rolls of the mid and upper back
• Contouring the upper arm skin closer to the body’s frame

The upper body lift may require incisions across the mid-back, underarms, chest, and/or breast. As much as possible, your surgeon will attempt to hide these incisions in natural body creases and/or less visible areas of the body.

Recovery: A light compression vest is worn after surgery. If the arms are included in the upper body lift, they are to be elevated for a period of time after surgery to reduce swelling. Patients are encouraged to move and function as much as they comfortably can. Most patients are functioning close to normal in a couple of weeks.

Excess skin and fat in the upper arms can be removed with a procedure called brachioplasty.

Brachioplasty: Upper arms

Hanging skin from the armpit to the elbow can be physically uncomfortable, aesthetically not pleasing, and can make it difficult to find clothing that fits. The upper arms are connected to the chest wall through the arm pits, which in most massive weight loss patients are loose and contain a lot of excess skin. To get the best results, we must reshape the arm pits as well.

We developed a brachioplasty procedure that includes the chest wall – an extra step many plastic surgeons avoid due to surgical complexity and potential for scarring. Today, our approach is among the most common techniques for this type of body contouring.

In the majority of patients, the incisions will run from the elbows through the armpits and onto the pectoral area. Excess skin and fat will be removed, and the skin and underlying tissues will be closed and tightened. All wounds are closed with internal sutures which will not need removal.

Recovery: For a period of time after surgery, the arms will need to be elevated above heart level. Patients who have non-physical jobs may be able to get back to work in 10 to 14 days. Most patients can return to driving within 10 to 14 days. We typically recommend wearing compression sleeves for a few weeks after surgery to aid in healing.

Thigh reduction

Most patients have some sagging skin or excess fat deposits around the thighs after massive weight loss. Surgeries in this region require expertise. The thighs help carry and move our body weight, and the area is also a hub for the lymphatic system, arteries, and veins.

We have created a safe, effective thigh lift procedure to remove skin excess while limiting disturbance of the delicate internal structures of the thighs. The surgeon makes an incision down the inner thigh, where the inseam of your pants runs. The surgeon will tighten the skin and remove the excess, bringing the 360-degree shape of the leg closer to the ideal.

Most patients will have some swelling with thigh reduction procedures, which in some may last an extended period of time.

Risks: The pelvic region tends to be a less hygienic body area, and surgeries near it may pose a higher risk of infection. Prolonged swelling may persist after thigh reduction surgery, and you will be given a fairly aggressive regimen to reduce it. Wound healing problems as well as fluid collections may occur after thigh reduction surgery, which fortunately can resolve with appropriate care.

The bottom line on body contouring

Many of our patients lose 100 pounds or more through safe and effective bariatric surgery techniques or our medically managed weight loss program. Their weight loss gives them a new lease on life. For some, however, the transformation isn’t complete until they shed the excess skin – the loose-fitting dress – that continues to remind them of how they used to feel.

Our body contouring techniques can help patients shed that stigma, but we are quick to remind them that these procedures are major surgeries that require motivation to achieve successful outcomes.

If you are ready to take the next step after massive weight loss, our body contouring experts will help you set reasonable, personally satisfying milestones.

To visit with a plastic surgeon, call 214-645-8300 or request an appointment online.

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Reconstructive surgery after weight loss | ART Clinic

People who decide to fight overweight, after losing weight, dream of seeing a slender, toned figure. Unfortunately, reality is often harsh, and instead of beautiful elastic muscles, unaesthetic excess skin is reflected in the mirror. The joy of the victory of one’s own willpower is replaced by disappointment and even more serious complexes than before weight loss. Together with the plastic surgeon of ART-Clinic, Abdulmajidova Avicenna Saidbegovna, we figure out how to help people who have lost 30 kilograms or more.

Why does the skin sag after losing weight?

The skin is a flexible organ that can contract and stretch with fluctuations in weight. The plasticity of the skin depends on many factors – age, weight loss rate, physical activity, heredity and daily care. External circumstances also play their role in damaging elastin fibers: stress, bad habits, ultraviolet radiation. Unfortunately, it is not necessary to expect that the skin will shrink after getting rid of an impressive amount of kilograms: over the years, stretched collagen fibers lose their elasticity and remain in their usual state. This is how the “effect of a deflated balloon” is obtained: the volume of the body has decreased, but the skin area has remained the same. Minus 10 kilograms with proper care does not affect the condition of the skin, 15-20 kilograms lost will require prolonged work by a cosmetologist, and 30 kilograms – the intervention of a surgeon.

Which areas suffer after losing weight?

The abdomen and waist, chest, inner arms, thighs and buttocks are affected first. The abdomen is the most problematic part of the body: excess adipose tissue leaves slowly and unevenly, leaving behind a “skin apron”. The breast receives the second blow: the mammary glands lose volume and sag. The third difficult area is the arms from the elbow joint to the shoulder. Appeared skin folds deliver not only aesthetic, but also physical discomfort due to sweating, unpleasant odor and redness. Unfortunately, it is impossible to avoid surgery for total weight loss: sports and diets do not affect excess skin.

Reconstructive surgery after weight loss

Body plastic surgery is a complex operation aimed at removing excess skin and restoring lost body contours after total weight loss. Large-scale intervention usually includes simultaneous abdominoplasty or circular plastic surgery of the waist, back and buttocks, mammoplasty and brachioplasty. A body lift will not give a visible result with weight fluctuations, so the main condition is a stable body weight for six months. The operation lasts 5-8 hours under general anesthesia. In “ART-Clinic” to reduce the operating time, the tasks are solved by two specialists: “four-handed” work significantly reduces the duration of anesthesia and improves the course of rehabilitation. Plastic surgeons exfoliate the skin and, if necessary, remove excess fat, choosing the most inconspicuous places for incisions. The first day after body plastic surgery, the patient spends under the supervision of medical personnel and is discharged home only after stabilization of the condition. The main condition for rehabilitation is wearing compression underwear and careful daily routine. Any physical activity, thermal procedures and bad habits are excluded for a month.

How to save the result of body reconstruction?

Total body correction will be in vain when extra pounds return: the gained weight will again stretch the skin, and further weight loss will only aggravate the situation. The key to maintaining the result is adherence to the principles of proper nutrition and regular exercise. In this case, the work of a plastic surgeon will not be in vain.

Article reprinted from the site 300expertov.ru

How to remove sagging skin on the abdomen after weight loss

After weight loss, especially if it was serious, excess skin remains. And in the abdomen, it looks unattractive. But modern cosmetology offers effective and safe methods that allow you to find a beautiful and toned belly. They are selected individually for each patient.

Excess weight is not only an aesthetic problem. It seriously affects health. In the waist area, the so-called abdominal obesity is most often formed. Weight gain is associated with a sedentary lifestyle or certain diseases of the body, endocrine disruptions, diabetes. Our skin is incredibly elastic. And with an increase in body weight, especially sharp, it begins to stretch, increasing in size. Stretch marks or stretch marks can speak of this fact. They look like characteristic stripes. Fresh stretch marks are pink or slightly purple in color. Old ones have a whitish tint.

Obesity causes a lot of problems. Such as insulin resistance, hypertension, dysfunction of blood circulation and lymphatic outflow, heart disease, joint disease, sleep apnea. Weight loss is always a step towards a healthy and long life. If it is small, then the skin is tightened. But with too much excess body weight, it simply sags. The higher the mass, the more the skin will sag. These processes are also influenced by factors such as the rate of weight loss. Some people lose weight smoothly, while others quickly due to strict diets, drugs, active physical activity. Excess skin does not look very aesthetically pleasing. This is especially noticeable in women after pregnancy. It is difficult to cope with such a problem at home with the help of ointments, creams, gymnastics, massages.

Causes of sagging skin after weight loss

Weight loss is quite a stressful process for the body. In the case, as with weight gain, many parameters change. Why does loose skin form?

• Too rapid weight loss . Nutritionists always say that you should not lose weight abruptly, but smoothly and naturally. Then the extra pounds will not return and the result will be good. Sharp weight loss leads to the fact that the skin simply begins to hang in the waist area. The skin is collected in ugly folds;
• Abdominal muscle weakness . It is caused by lack of sports, physical inactivity, obesity. Muscles simply cannot properly hold the peritoneum. They are weak and flabby;
• Carrying a child . During pregnancy, a woman always gains weight. And sometimes it is about 20 or more kilograms. Within 9 calendar months, body weight has been steadily increasing. And a special layer of fat accumulates, which protects the child from external negative influences. After the birth of the baby, the weight decreases. And the skin on the abdomen remains flabby and rather sagging;
• Wrong lifestyle . These include hypodynamia, diet, lack of a normal drinking regimen, smoking, drinking alcoholic beverages;
• Processes of physiological aging of the human body .

If you are faced with such a problem as sagging skin of the abdomen after losing weight, then you should contact professional cosmetologists.

How to get rid of sagging belly skin?

There are many ways to get rid of excess skin after weight loss in the abdomen. And it all depends on the degree of sagging. There are cosmetic injection and hardware techniques. They have a lifting effect and help tighten the skin in problem areas. More radical is plastic surgery, which cuts off excess skin.

Methods of tummy tuck without surgery

Without surgery, tummy tuck after weight loss can be achieved using hardware and injection techniques. Some of the most effective are myostimulation, ultrasonic liposuction, lymphatic drainage, electrolipolysis, pressotherapy.

Myostimulation

Myostimulation is a non-surgical method for correcting loose skin. It works the principles of physiotherapy. During it, an electric current is supplied through a special apparatus, which leads to the tension of individual muscle groups. The impact of myostimulation is akin to anaerobic and aerobic exercises. There is not only the burning of adipose tissue, but also the pumping of muscles. Also, the skin is tightened, because it has a pronounced lifting effect.

Why is muscle tension so important? First of all, their tone is greatly increased. And the body is tightened, its contours are improved. The flabby stomach is also tightened. During myostimulation, there is a lymphatic drainage effect on the body. With the help of it, excess swelling goes away, toxins and toxins are eliminated. The metabolism starts to work faster, which also contributes to the rapid stabilization of weight. Muscles are cleansed and general well-being improves.

Non-surgical liposuction Ulfit (ULFIT)

One of the most innovative methods of sagging skin correction is the modern liposuction, which is done on the Ulfit machine. The cryolipolysis machine includes the functions of SMAS lifting. With the help of the device, the volume in the area of ​​the so-called fat traps is corrected. By the way, the most important are just the same on the stomach. The procedure is minimally invasive, atraumatic, effective. To achieve a good result, it is enough to go through 4 to 10 sessions. The device works with the help of ultrasound, which penetrates deep into soft tissues, including subcutaneous fat. As a result, the cell membranes of fat cells are damaged, and they are split, followed by excretion from the patient’s body. The penetration depth of ultrasonic radiation ranges from six to twenty millimeters. Destroyed during the procedure, the cells of fat packages are removed naturally within about ten weeks. The waist becomes thinner and the sagging belly is tightened.

Massage

It is possible to eliminate sagging tissues after losing weight with the help of massage in the clinic, thanks to the active use of manual or hardware massage. To achieve the desired effect, you can go through at least ten massage sessions. Contraindications are fever, violation of the integrity of the skin, endometriosis, polycystic ovaries, cysts, fibroids. Manual massage can be sculptural, anti-cellulite, lymphatic drainage, honey. It is performed by specialists who own sophisticated massage techniques. The procedures help not only improve blood microcirculation and lymphatic outflow, but also tighten sagging skin integuments quite well. Benefits include:

• Security. During massage, the effect is therapeutic in nature;
• Efficiency. Clinic specialists work only with problem areas. They knead accumulations of adipose tissue on the abdomen;
• The skin is tightened, becoming more youthful and firm;
• Decreased volume of subcutaneous fat;
• Masseurs work on all areas of the skin where problems are noted;
• Removes excess fluid from the body and reduces swelling;
• Proper functioning of the circulatory system is stimulated.

Hardware massage techniques are even more effective in skin tightening. In the clinic, you can undergo anti-cellulite, lymphatic drainage, vacuum-roller or LPG massage. Medical specialists set up devices strictly individually according to the parameters of patients, thereby increasing the effectiveness of the session. Hardware massage is not traumatic and virtually painless. During it, there is a drainage effect, which helps to quickly remove excess fluid from the tissues. The overall tone and elasticity of the skin is restored. For example, many patients choose hardware LPG massage. With it, you can work out the subcutaneous tissue, soft tissues, skin, muscle tissue. During it, special rollers are used along with a powerful vacuum nozzle.

Hardware correction makes the waist much thinner, while providing a lifting effect on the skin. The skin itself becomes more elastic and resilient. There is regeneration and renewal of tissues at the cellular level. Traces of cellulite disappear, swelling subsides. A massage session lasts approximately half an hour. The course is determined individually by medical specialists for patients.

Electrolipolysis

Electrolipolysis technology is based on the impact of special currents on fat cells. During it, needle-type electrodes are used. As a result, the volume of adipose tissue decreases, and the skin tightens. Along with electrolipolysis, it is necessary to adhere to a diet and thus the result will be even more effective. During the procedure, electrodes are inserted into problem areas through adipose tissue. When the device is connected, a current is supplied that breaks down fat into fatty acids. You can notice a clear result after about 4-8 sessions. The frequency of the procedure is once every seven days. Medical experts recommend that along with cryolipolysis, you additionally undergo a course of lymphatic drainage massage, which has a lifting effect and has a pronounced anti-edematous effect.

Pressotherapy

Used for body shaping, waist reduction and loose skin tightening. During it, a suit is put on the patient, which is filled with air. The pressure in the suit decreases and increases. This additionally helps to stimulate local blood circulation, improve the functioning of muscle tissue, and normalize lymph outflow. Muscles, epidermis and dermis, adipose tissue, local network of capillaries and vessels, lymphatic system are involved in the course of presoteration. The course consists of about ten sessions with an interval of several days.

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Surgical methods

Obesity or significant body weight interferes with the proper functioning of the body. It leads to diseases of the heart and blood vessels, diabetes, infertility, heart failure. Therefore, medical experts strongly recommend taking care of reducing body weight. It is safest to lose no more than one kilogram per week. In this case, the skin will be quite elastic. She will pull up and will not sag much. But sometimes it happens that a person begins to lose weight a lot. For example, after strict and long diets, intense physical activity, bariatric surgery. And this leads to sagging skin, which is very noticeable in the abdomen.

You can remove excess skin after losing weight with the help of plastic surgery. But it is important to understand that this is a rather radical technique with a long recovery period and the risks of possible postoperative complications. If possible, it is better to try to get rid of excess skin with the help of hardware or injection cosmetology. Indications for surgical intervention are the following:

• The appearance of flabby skin folds after a serious weight loss;
• Residual retention of excess adipose tissue in different areas of the body;
• The patient wants to have a more defined and slim figure after losing weight.

Plastic surgery uses different types of operations to remove excess skin. Abdominoplasty and tummy tuck surgery are often performed. The lift itself can be done locally or circularly around the entire waist.

If we take into account abdominoplasty, it helps to eliminate fat in any areas of the waist. Most of all, adipose tissue accumulates in the area of ​​​​the abdominal anterior wall. Therefore, the stomach bulges with excess weight rather ugly. Abdominoplasty removes excess fat and excess skin. The abdominal muscles are also surgically tightened. You can further adjust the location and shape of the navel. Depending on the type of task, there are the following types of abdominoplasty:

• Classic or full tummy tuck . It is done to patients in the lower abdomen. During the operation, the navel is moved to an anatomical location. Fat is removed from the entire surface of the abdomen. The surgeon additionally tightens the muscle tissue of the press;
• Mini tummy tuck . It is indicated for slight excess of adipose tissue in the abdomen. During it, the navel does not move anywhere, but remains in place;
• Abdominoplasty using endoscopic equipment . This is a minimally invasive and most sparing type of operation. The incision is made with an endoscope and the progress of the surgical intervention is monitored using a video camera;
• Surgical liposuction . It is done to patients with elastic skin. A special cannula is inserted into the fatty tissue by a medical specialist. After that, the fat is pumped into a separate container.

The most optimal types of surgical interventions to remove excess skin from the abdomen are liposuction and endoscopic abdominoplasty. It is important to remember that any surgical operations are risks. They use general anesthesia, not local anesthesia. And it negatively affects the state of the body. Patients, among other things, have to go through a rather long and painful period of rehabilitation recovery, during which there may be risks of clinical postoperative complications.

Contraindications

• Exacerbation of chronic diseases;
• Pregnancy;
• Breastfeeding a child;
• Diabetes mellitus;
• Autoimmune pathologies;
• Diabetes mellitus;
• Mental disorders;
• Impaired hematopoietic function;
• Acute respiratory diseases:
• Exacerbation of chronic skin diseases.

Prevention

Every woman dreams of having a beautiful and slim figure. And for the beauty of the body, it is not enough just to lose weight. If you lose weight too quickly, then the skin just starts to sag. It looks extremely ugly, bringing aesthetic and psychological discomfort. First of all, you should always lose weight correctly. The norm of weight loss is no more than one kilogram per week. Anything more is bad. Because the skin simply does not have time to tighten and return to the physiological norm.

Proper weight loss is based on a balanced diet and exercise. Sugar, flour, fried, salty foods, carbonated drinks, fast food, products with palm oil and trans fats should be completely excluded from the diet. The diet should include more fiber, fruits and vegetables with a low glycemic index, low-fat oils and fish. For example, it is very useful for the skin to eat foods high in Omega 3. These include red fish (trout or salmon).

You can also prevent sagging skin with the help of gymnastics and sports. In this case, exercises should be selected to strengthen and work out the muscle tissue of the press. Exercises can also be done on weight machines. But we must remember that they are moderate. Excessive physical activity is also useless. Physical activity should be daily and constant. Together with the diet, they give a really great result. Thus, the skin will be more toned without signs of sagging. Useful for tightening the skin and improving its condition to carry out spa treatments. It is optimal to do this in a cosmetology clinic. You can undergo chemical peeling, massage (lymphatic drainage, LPG). The use of lifting preparations and body wraps for patients is highly effective. Especially effective are mesotherapy and acupuncture lifting procedures, which make the skin young, toned, smooth. It is simply impossible to make such types of SPA at home. In our clinic, cosmetologists will be able to choose the most effective and suitable procedures for you in all respects, thanks to which your skin will become perfect.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do to keep my belly skin from sagging while losing weight?

It is necessary to lose weight correctly no more than one kilogram per week and this is done by organizing a correct and balanced nutrition system along with physical exercises.

What is the best procedure for skin tightening?

It is useful to do LPG massage, lymphatic drainage massage, pressotherapy, myostimulation.

What is better plastic surgery or cosmetic methods of skin tightening?

Apparatus and injection therapy is effective. There are no risks of postoperative complications, the appearance of scars and scars, infection. There is no long period of rehabilitation of patients.

Can you get rid of loose skin at home?

Actually not, especially if the skin sags a lot. Therefore, it is better to turn to beauticians. But to improve the condition of the skin, you can do massage or wraps, apply masks with biologically active substances.