Weight loss is an accomplishment that you should be proud of, whether you achieved it through lifestyle and dietary changes, bariatric weight loss surgery, or a combination. Most people will enjoy better mobility, improved confidence, and improved health after weight loss. However, hanging or loose skin is common when you lose 100 pounds or more, and it may leave you feeling frustrated, uncomfortable, and confused about what to do next. Even though loose skin is normal after shedding unwanted pounds, there are ways to improve your look after weight loss. Keep reading to see how you can tighten your skin after weight loss.
Common Excess or Loose Skin Removal Procedures
Different procedures are used to eliminate excess or sagging skin after weight loss. Most people undergo a combination of surgeries to achieve their desired look. Your doctor can assist you in determining the procedures that will benefit your body the most. Some of the procedures that eliminate excess skin include the following:
Surgical Excision
Surgical excision can remove excess or loose skin from the body. During the procedure, loose skin is cut away, allowing the tightening of the remaining skin. Skin excision is effectively used on sagging and excess skin on different body parts, including the breasts and arms. Most plastic surgeons will combine surgical excision with liposuction to achieve better results.
Liposuction
Liposuction is a surgical or nonsurgical procedure for removing unwanted or excess body fat. It involves sucking out fat or destroying fat cells that are difficult to lose through a healthy diet and exercise alone. Liposuction is an effective solution that leaves a more balanced proportion and defined shape that improves the appearance of sagging skin. It is used for different body parts such as hips, abdomen, thighs, chin, breasts, knees, and upper arms.
Facelift, Brow lift, and Neck Lift
Facelifts, brow lifts, and neck lifts are surgical procedures that help treat sagging skin in your facial area. For a full standard facelift, a surgeon will create an incision in the front of the ear, up to the hairline, behind the ear, and into the scalp. They will lift the skin of your face, pull it upward, and remove the sagging skin. Facelifts can be performed together with a neck lift, which tightens sagging skin around the jowls and chin. A brow lift can be performed for patients with saggy brows or loose skin on the eye, brow, and forehead areas.
Tummy Tuck or Abdominoplasty
Abdominoplasty or tummy tuck removes excess or sagging skin and tightens separated or weak abdominal muscles. The procedure also eliminates excess skin above the waistline, giving you a flatter-looking and tighter stomach. Abdominoplasty is often combined with liposuction to eliminate fat and enhance the abdominal contours. Tummy tucks are quite popular among women who have experienced pregnancy and lost weight.
Thigh Lift or Thighplasty
If you have excess skin in your inner thigh area, a thigh lift or thighplasty can help. The procedure will effectively remove and tightens saggy skin on your inner thighs. However, this procedure can leave a scar that runs the length of your thighs. A thighplasty will not affect loose skin on your calves, which may become a new aesthetic problem for some patients after the procedure.
Arm Lift Surgery or Brachioplasty
Brachioplasty is a body sculpting procedure that helps to tighten loose skin on your upper arms. The goal of the procedure is to make your upper arm look smoother. This particular surgery is often paired with other procedures, such as body contouring around the midsection or a thigh lift.
Achieve Your Desired Look with Skin Reduction Procedures
Having excess loose and hanging skin after achieving your weight loss goals may feel discouraging and frustrating. Fortunately, several treatment options can help you eliminate unwanted and sagging skin. Talk to your board-certified plastic surgeon to determine the perfect treatment for you and your body. With the right treatment, you will eliminate the excess skin leaving you looking and feeling better.