Welcome to the Vinyard Institute of Plastic Surgery's Blog, where your journey of aesthetic exploration and education takes center stage. We deeply value empowering our patients through knowledge, providing insights, tips, and in-depth information to guide and enhance your aesthetic journey. Dive into our posts, where expertise meets understanding, and discover a space where your curiosity and dreams are nurtured and illuminated.
Congratulations! You’ve achieved your desired weight loss goals! After months of sacrificing your favorite dessert, many a boozy brunch, and religiously adhering to a strict exercise regimen, you are at your goal weight. However, after some inspection, you discover you are far from your desired aesthetic.
Don’t panic — this isn’t because you didn’t set realistic goals. Losing significant weight can leave behind remnants of your former self. It is common for those who lose a lot of weight to struggle with excess skin, especially around their upper arms, upper and lower abdomen, back, and thighs. Other factors contributing to loose skin include genetics, age, tobacco use, and how long someone has been carrying excess fat. While following a healthy lifestyle and quitting smoking might help, for most, sagging skin is impossible to get rid of without medical intervention.
Body contouring surgery offers individuals with massive weight loss a safe and effective procedure to eliminate excess, saggy, and loose skin, as well as remaining stubborn fatty tissue. Below, we explore who is a suitable candidate for post-weight loss plastic surgery and the various options that are available to these individuals. So let’s begin the journey of getting you comfortable in your skin!
Candidates for skin removal surgery and other procedures need to be of good overall health, not smoke or use nicotine, be committed to maintaining a stable weight, and be invested in sustaining a healthy lifestyle with adequate nutrition and exercise.
As always, we recommend consulting with an experienced medical professional to discuss the viability of these procedures within the framework of your specific context and medical conditions. Feel free to reach out to Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. William J. Vinyard, MD, FACS, and his team of experts to book your consultation today!
The upper arms are one of the most commonly treated areas for extra skin. Due to dramatic weight loss, many individuals experience loose and hanging skin on their upper arms, informally referred to as “bat wings.”
A brachioplasty — or arm lift surgery — removes excess skin from the elbow to the upper arm. Dr. Vinyard employs a best-in-class approach to arm lift surgery, making the incisions in areas that don’t leave conspicuous scars so that you feel confident to wear the short sleeve and sleeveless tops you’ve dying to show off.
The recovery period associated with this surgery is around two weeks, meaning you’ll be back to your daily routine in no time. A compression garment will help reduce swelling in the arm lift surgical area.
If you’re ready to flaunt your abdominal muscles after your major weight loss journey, a tummy tuck is the perfect body contouring surgery for you.
The goal of a tummy tuck is to reduce excess skin and fat around the abdominal area, sometimes through a combination of liposuction, surgical skin removal, and muscle repair (to bring the waist in and flatten the abdomen).
The healing process for this procedure will vary depending on the size of the area treated. Generally, patients require a two-week recovery period before returning to a desk job. They should also avoid strenuous exercise and lifting and carrying heavy objects for up to six weeks, when the swelling subsides. Like many other body contouring procedures, a compression garment is used to mitigate swelling.
It is important to note that a tummy tuck is not synonymous with weight loss surgery. Instead, it is a body contouring surgery aimed at removing excess, saggy skin and giving your abdomen a tighter look and feel.
Sagging skin on one’s thighs can be a huge knock on one’s self-confidence, zapping the willingness and comfort to wear swimwear, summer outfits, and other form fitting clothing.
A thigh lift surgery removes excess skin and fat after significant weight loss to give your lower half a shapely, more toned look. Both the inner and outer thigh areas can be targeted, ensuring that your upper legs are trimmed and sculpted beautifully.
The recovery period for thigh lift surgery is between 3-6 weeks. Most patients can slowly walk for a couple minutes every hour walking — light walks speed up the healing process due to improved circulation. No strenuous workout or exercise is allowed for the first 6 weeks after the procedure.
Thigh lift surgery is not a bariatric surgery designed to help you lose weight. Instead, it is a form of body contouring performed by plastic surgeons to provide a beautiful, tight shape.
Having loose, hanging skin on your back and upper body after you’ve worked so hard to achieve your exercise and diet goals can be demoralizing. Thankfully, Dr. Vinyard and his team of experts have the perfect solution for you — an upper-body lift!
One of the most popular body lift surgeries is an upper back lift which directs skin and fat removal efforts on the side of the breast or pectoral area. A combination of liposuction, skin removal, and muscle tightening is used to refine your upper body silhouette.
The recovery time for an upper back lift surgery is between 6-8 weeks, but patients often return to work much sooner. Recovery times vary based on a patient’s unique circumstances and health factors. Dr. Vinyard and his team of experts always ensure that the healing process is as smooth and comfortable as possible.
Book A Complimentary ConsultationAs you consider your body contouring goals, Dr. Vinyard and his team of experts wield many options for restoring a youthful look and feel for your body. Plastic surgery after weight loss can be an easy and incredible addition to your treatment plan, and Dr. Vinyard and his team of experts are ready to support you in achieving your aesthetic goals. Contact us to schedule a personal consultation with us, or call (772) 212-0304 to find out the next steps in your body contouring journey! Our office at 291 NW Peacock Blvd, Suite 103, Port St. Lucie, FL 34986, proudly serves the South Florida area! We also invite you to check out our blog page, Facebook, and Instagram to learn more about the treatment options available at our office!
by Vinyard Institute of Plastic Surgery | Jun 15, 2023
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by Vinyard Institute of Plastic Surgery | Apr 24, 2023
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