Losing large amounts of weight is a great achievement, and you should be proud of your success. Unfortunately some patients after massive weight loss are left with problems with excess skin that can be unsightly, inconvenient for clothing and exercise, and cause skin irritations and infections. In response to this, modern plastic surgery has designed a range of surgical solutions to improve your body contour to match the success you have had in losing the weight. These are highly technical, complex and often multi-staged procedures, tailored to address your concerns in the most effective and safest manner.
At Pure Aesthetics, our specialist plastic surgeons are highly trained experts in plastic surgery after massive weight loss, and can assist you in achieving your goals.
After massive weight loss, patients may have problems with excess skin over their entire bodies. Surgery to address these concerns needs to be carefully planned and staged, often over several surgeries and months or even years. These operations are best done when the maximum weight has been lost, preferable close to ideal weight, and the weight loss has been stable for at least 6 months. Surgeries are often major and extensive, involve multiple areas of the body, and can only be performed on healthy patients who do not smoke.
A range of operations may be required to address all of your body contour concerns. Some of these are very large surgeries, others less so, and may be able to be combined in a single operation to address multiple body areas. The planning for this, and decisions about staging and timing will be done over your initial preoperative consultations with your Pure Aesthetics specialist plastic surgeon.
Usually the first operation addresses the area of main concern, most commonly the lower trunk, including abdomen, flanks, lower back and buttocks. This is commonly known as a “body lift“, and is major plastic surgery to remove excessive drooping skin and fat right around the whole lower trunk to eliminate skin folds at the front of the lower abdomen and groin, the hips, lower back and buttocks, giving a full circumferential improvement in your body contour. It is often combined with liposuction and possibly with other body contouring procedures, but these may need to be done as staged subsequent procedures.
Subsequent operations are often performed several months later, to address other areas such as breasts, chest, upper back, arms and thighs. Some of these may be combined and often adjunctive procedures, such as liposuction are done to enhance the final outcome.
Meet your Surgeon
Dr Sepehr Lajevardi
Meet your Surgeon
Dr Sepehr Lajevardi FRACS
Registered Specialist Plastic Surgeon
AHPRA MED0001602957
Education and Training:
- Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (UNSW, 2004)
- PhD in Plastic Surgery (University of Sydney)
- 5 years of advanced surgical training in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery through the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS)
- Post training fellowships at Macquarie University, East Sydney Private and St Luke’s Hospitals
What Post-Bariatric Body Contouring Procedures Are Available?
The operations Pure Aesthetics offers in plastic surgery after massive weight loss include:
Abdominoplasty
Abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck surgery, can remove and tighten excess skin in the abdomen as well as repair stretched or torn abdominal muscles. Different techniques may be performed depending on the location and extent of the patient’s excess or sagging tissue.
Body Lift
A body lift (belt lipectomy) is intended to excise loose, soft skin from the abdomen, hips, outer thighs, and buttocks. As the remaining skin is tightened, the body achieves a more contoured silhouette.
Arm Lift
Arm lift surgery addresses sagging, redundant skin in the upper arms that often results from major weight loss. As this procedure improves arm shape, patients often experience a boost in self-confidence and can enjoy better-fitting clothes.
Thigh Reduction
With a thigh reduction procedure, the inner and outer thighs can be sculpted to address excess soft tissue. This leads to smoother skin and a more proportionate lower body.
Breast Surgery
Breast surgery is often desired after major weight loss due to a decrease in breast volume, drooping of the remaining breast tissue, or excess soft tissue still remaining. Popular breast procedures include breast reduction, Breast Enlargement, and breast lift surgery.
Liposuction
Liposuction is a fat removal procedure that can reduce small areas of excess fat that have not responded to traditional weight loss methods. Liposuction is often paired with lifting procedures for additional contouring, such as tummy tuck or arm lift surgery.
Facelift
Facelift surgery, as well as other facial rejuvenation procedures, can often be beneficial for patients after they have lost a significant amount of weight. As volume is lost in the face and neck, loose skin and folds may remain. With procedures like the facelift, patients can obtain a more youthful and smooth facial appearance.
In recognition of Dr Merten’s skill, experience and leadership in plastic surgery after massive weight loss, Dr Merten and his patients were featured in the major article for The Good Weekend 28 November 2015.
At Pure Aesthetics, our specialist plastic surgeons deliver the standard of excellence you should expect from experienced body lift plastic surgeons in Sydney.
Due to the very tailored options available for plastic surgery after major weight loss, we recommend that you contact us with any additional questions that you might have about this procedure or to schedule your consultation. Our team will be happy to address any concerns that you may have.
What Is Recovery Like for Post-Weight Loss Body Contouring?
The recovery after post-bariatric body contouring will be different for every patient, depending on which procedure(s) was performed and the extent of improvement provided. In general, patients should start moving around and walking as soon as possible, but they should avoid strenuous activities for several weeks. Dressings are applied over the incisions, and in some cases surgical drains may also be used for several days to help drain excess liquid. It is normal to experience swelling, bruising, and tenderness around the incision, but this should gradually fade over the first few weeks. More personalised details of what can be expected in the recovery after post-weight loss body contouring will be discussed prior to surgery.
Body Contouring After Major Weight Loss Before & After Photos
How Much Does Post-Weight Loss Body Contouring Cost?
The cost of body contouring after major weight loss will vary for each patient based on the details of their surgical plan. This includes which procedures are performed, the number of surgeries needed to complete the process, and the complexity of their needs. Depending on the reason for your body contouring, you may be eligible for Medicare coverage. Keep in mind, however, that Medicare only covers reconstructive surgeries that are deemed medically necessary. Procedures that are performed for solely cosmetic reasons are typically not covered.
Please note, it is your responsibility to check with your insurance provider if you are covered for hospital and any associated costs.
