Post-Bariatric Surgery Body Contouring Options

Bariatric surgery can be a lifesaver for people that struggle with morbid obesity. Thousands of Americans enjoy healthier and happier lives, thanks to surgical weight loss solutions.

However, one common drawback of bariatric surgery is leftover loose skin. Because the patient loses a large amount of body fat quickly, the skin does not conform around the body’s new shape. Loose skin can be a constant source of concern, raise hygiene issues, restrict mobility and cause uncomfortable chafing, rashes and infections.

Body contouring plastic surgery addresses this common issue. Dr. Abhay Gupta, a trusted San Diego plastic surgeon, offers an array of body contouring procedures to meet the needs of post-bariatric patients. Here, he explains the available options.

Lower Body Lift

Lower body lift is designed to treat the loose “apron” of skin on the lower torso (i.e., the buttocks, hips, thighs, lower abdomen and back). Dr. Gupta makes a circumferential incision around the lower torso; the length of the incision depends on the amount and location of the extra skin being removed.

Through the incision, Dr. Gupta removes the excess skin and fat below the incision. He repositions and tightens the body’s tissues for a smoother contour. He may combine abdominal contouring or thigh lift into the operation, depending on the patient’s specific needs.

Extended Abdominoplasty

Abdominoplasty removes loose skin and fat on the abdomen and repairs separated or weakened abdominal muscles. Post-bariatric patients generally require extended abdominoplasty to treat the entire circumference of the abdomen. During extended abdominoplasty, Dr. Gupta makes a horizontal incision on the lower abdomen and performs the steps of traditional abdominoplasty; then, he extends the incision around the torso to treat excess skin on the hips (i.e., the area commonly known as the “love handles”).

Buttock Lift

Buttock lift corrects loose, sagging skin and surplus fat on the buttocks. Dr. Gupta makes the surgical incision at the top of the buttocks, within the groin, on the hips or under the buttock cheeks, and removes excess skin. He can incorporate liposuction techniques to create a more sculpted, attractive buttock shape. Then, Dr. Gupta pulls the remaining skin taut to give the buttock a firmer and flatter appearance.

Thigh Lift

Thigh lift treats excess skin and fat that pools on the inner or outer thighs. Dr. Gupta makes the incisions within the groin area; depending on the patient’s needs, he may extend the incisions around the hips into the fold of the buttock. Through the incisions, Dr. Gupta recontours the area between the groin and knees, removing excess skin, sculpting the tissues and tightening the remaining skin.

Arm Lift

Arm lift addresses redundant, hanging skin and excess fat on the upper arms. Dr. Gupta makes the incision within the armpits, extending down the inside of the arm. The length of the incision depends on the amount of excess skin that needs to be removed. Through the incision, he removes redundant skin and excess fat. He tightens the remaining skin to produce a firmer and smoother arm contour.

Breast Lift

Breast lift restores sagging breasts to a perkier and more attractive position on the chest. Dr. Gupta makes a circular incision around the areola, extending vertically down to the crease of the breast (and possibly along the breast crease). Through the incision, he re-sculpts the breast tissue to elevate the breast mound, removes excess skin and repositions the nipple-areolar complex to a higher position on the breast. If the patient desires larger breasts, Dr. Gupta can place implants at the same time.

Facelift/Neck Lift

Facelift and necklift are the most effective ways to treat sagging skin on the face and neck. For traditional facelift, Dr. Gupta makes the surgical incisions around the hairline at the temples, continuing around the ears to the lower scalp. Through the incisions, he removes or repositions fat and tissue as needed. He tightens weak and sagging muscles and soft tissues to lift the face. He re-drapes the facial skin more tightly over the facial contours, and removes redundant skin.

If the patient has loose skin and excess fat on the neck, Dr. Gupta makes an additional incision underneath the chin. He removes the skin and fat and re-drapes the remaining skin for a taut contour.

Don’t Let Loose Skin Hold You Back

Is excess skin obscuring the weight loss results you’ve worked so hard for? Dr. Abhay Gupta can help. Schedule a private consultation with Dr. Gupta to discuss your body contouring needs and desired outcomes, and let him formulate a plan of treatment.

Call us at (858) 408-6100 today to make an appointment.

Fun Fact of the Month: Post-bariatric body contouring is more than a cosmetic solution —a recent study showed that gastric sleeve patients that had post-bariatric plastic surgery were more likely to maintain a lower body mass index (a measurement of body fat) than patients that did not have plastic surgery.

Experts believe that body contouring makes weight loss more noticeable, thereby motivating the patient to maintain results with healthy diet and exercise choices.