What's The Best Time for Body Contouring Surgery After Weight Loss?

Losing a large amount of weight is a major accomplishment for many patients. Whether it was the result of bariatric surgery or traditional diet and exercise, weight loss benefits your health and outlook on life. If you have achieved great weight loss but struggle with heavy, loose folds of skin, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Rolando Morales can perform body contouring surgery to create beautiful and long-lasting results.

But what is body contouring surgery, and how does it work? At Morales Plastic Surgery, we can trim away loose and sagging skin and remove pockets of fat from problem areas for a slimmer appearance. We use the latest and most advanced cosmetic surgery tools to assist patients in the Houston, TX area. Learn more about body contouring after weight loss and excess skin removal by reaching out to our clinic for a private consultation.

What is body contouring?

Losing a large amount of body fat through bariatric surgery can reduce your risk of health conditions, such as heart disease, and dramatically change how you look and feel. However, major weight loss can leave individuals with excess hanging skin around the stomach, thighs, arms, and other areas. This is because the skin often lacks the elasticity needed to return to its original shape. Body contouring surgery prevents issues, such as infection or painful rashes, that occur as a result of hanging skin. This procedure can reshape and tighten nearly any area of the body, including the abdomen, breasts, hips, buttocks, thighs, and other areas.

Who should get body contouring after weight loss?

When you first meet with Dr. Morales, we will conduct an evaluation to determine whether you qualify for body contouring after weight loss. It is important to inform our team if you have any health conditions that may affect your outcome or recovery time. During the consultation, we can create a custom plan to achieve your desired results. Some procedures may be combined into one surgery, or multiple surgeries may be performed in stages over time.

Patients can consider after weight loss surgery as soon as six months to a year after major weight loss. We often suggest that individuals are at or near their ideal weight before scheduling the procedure. Sometimes, the upper body will be addressed in one procedure and the lower in another. This helps reduce the risk of complications, such as infection, and minimizes the amount of time it takes to recover.

What happens during body contouring surgery?

After weight loss surgery and excess skin removal are usually performed under general anesthesia in a hospital setting or surgical facility. The duration depends on what procedures are performed and how much extra skin is removed. Tummy tuck surgery focuses on the skin of the abdomen, while a thigh lift is designed to remove the skin from the upper leg. Other common areas involve the breasts, arms, hips, and buttocks. Once the surgery is completed, a team member at Morales Plastic Surgery can offer guidelines about body contouring recovery time, so you know exactly what to expect.

What about body contouring recovery time?

Body contouring recovery time depends on the type of procedures that were chosen at the time of the consultation. Recovery is roughly 4 – 6 weeks or longer before patients can return to normal activity, although patients may return to work in less time. Patients may need the assistance of a responsible adult since walking and moving around may be difficult for at least one week. Some pain is expected, but Dr. Morales will offer prescription medications to make the process as comfortable as possible.

Some patients may need to wear compression garments for a certain amount of time to speed the recovery process and help with circulation. It is important to not participate in any strenuous exercise or activities unless cleared by Dr. Morales, or you may risk damage to the tissue. At our Houston, TX facility, we ask that patients attend all follow-up appointments so we can assess the area and make sure recovery is going as planned.

Schedule after weight loss surgery

Body contouring after weight loss can help you achieve the final body shape you desire. Following excess skin removal, our patients are excited to enjoy a new sense of self-esteem and confidence. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Rolando Morales stays current with the latest technology in the industry, so body contouring surgery is a success. The staff at Morales Plastic Surgery offers comprehensive care to help ensure beautiful results in Houston, TX. We will carefully listen to your goals and create a safe treatment plan to meet your exact needs.