Will I Still Have Loose Skin After Liposuction?

If you have areas of unwanted fat, liposuction can give you the body contouring results you want. Many patients, however, are concerned about loose or excess skin following surgery. If you are interested in learning about what to expect after liposuction in Houston, TX, contact board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Rolando Morales. The experts at Morales Plastic Surgery can make sure you get the outcome you want with as little loose skin as possible.

How liposuction works

Traditional liposuction should not be confused with body lift surgery, which involves excess skin removal and the tightening of the underlying tissue. When performed by itself, liposuction removes small fat deposits in places, such as the abdomen or the thighs. Once the fat cells are gone, they are gone for good. This procedure works best for patients who are near their goal weight but still struggle with stubborn fat in one or more places. For this reason, liposuction is not necessarily considered a weight loss surgery.

What happens to your skin after liposuction

Some patients are concerned about loose or hanging skin following fat removal surgery. Before we schedule liposuction in Houston, Dr. Morales first performs an evaluation to assess your skin elasticity. An assessment will give us a good idea of what to expect and how your skin will be affected. The good news is that healthy and elastic skin is likely to shrink down to accommodate your new body contours. If we think your skin might sag after the procedure, we can give you custom recommendations, such as body lift surgery.

What affects skin elasticity?

Skin elasticity varies from person to person. While your skin will naturally contract after liposuction, this depends on your body’s natural healing process. This is why it is so important to take care of yourself before and after body contouring surgery. Living a healthy lifestyle can improve your skin elasticity and give you lasting results. People with poor skin elasticity, on the other hand, may experience some wrinkling or looseness after their procedure.

Skin elasticity can be affected by factors, such as:

• Genetics

• Age

• Sun damage

• Repeated stretching of the skin

• Rapid weight loss

• Rapid weight gain

• Dehydration

• Poor diet

How to tighten loose skin

Do not panic if you notice some sagging skin immediately after your liposuction procedure. Dr. Morales will let you know when you can expect your skin to begin contracting back to a more natural shape. In the meantime, follow these general guidelines to improve your skin elasticity:

• Stay hydrated

• Exercise

• Eat healthy meals

• Take care of your skin daily

Patients with moderate to severe loose skin should speak with Dr. Morales about excess skin removal and body lift surgery. A body lift corrects issues, such as hanging rolls, as well as sagging. Ideal candidates for a body lift have usually undergone significant weight changes over a short period of time.

Schedule body contouring surgery

The best way to understand whether liposuction alone can be performed with success is to schedule a consultation with a board-certified cosmetic surgeon. Dr. Rolando Morales is experienced in liposuction, excess skin removal, and body lift procedures. Schedule liposuction in Houston, TX by calling Morales Plastic Surgery. Our clinic is known for providing high-quality care with excellent results.