Plastic Surgery After Weight Loss in Sacramento

A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is among the most common procedures sought after major weight loss. After the skin and muscles have been stretched so far for so long, it is nearly impossible for them to fully retract on their own. The result is loose, hanging skin and weakened, separated muscles that diet and exercise alone cannot correct. Many patients also have stretch marks across the lower abdomen and an overhanging fold of skin that can trap moisture and lead to irritation and rashes.

A tummy tuck from Dr. Davis will remove loose, sagging skin and tighten stretched abdominal muscles, repairing the muscle separation known as rectus diastasis. Dr. Davis makes the tummy tuck incision low to keep the scar well-hidden beneath the underwear line, and removing the excess lower abdominal skin also reduces the appearance of stretch marks in that area. He commonly combines the tummy tuck with liposuction of the surrounding areas, including “lipo 360” around the waist and back, to refine the overall shape of the midsection.

During your tummy tuck consultation, Dr. Davis will assess your concerns to make sure you are a good candidate for abdominoplasty. He will evaluate your skin laxity, fat distribution and muscle integrity, and he may recommend combining your tummy tuck with liposuction or with breast surgery as part of a mommy makeover to create more balanced, comprehensive results.

The surgery takes around 2 hours and is performed under general anesthesia. Dr. Davis injects a long-acting pain medicine called Exparel throughout the abdomen for better comfort after surgery, and he uses a suturing technique under the skin that allows the vast majority of his tummy tuck patients to recover without a drain. Recovery takes about 2 weeks, and many patients feel ready to return to a desk job around 10 to 14 days after surgery. You can begin strenuous exercise and core training at 8 weeks. See the results Dr. Davis has achieved in our tummy tuck before and after gallery.

The lower body is typically the most affected after weight loss. Gravity and years of excess fat can cause the lower half of your body to stretch and sag after you lose the weight. Loose skin often wraps around the waist, with sagging along the flanks, lower back and buttocks that a tummy tuck alone cannot reach. This can cause a host of issues with both comfort and confidence, from chafing and irritation to difficulty finding clothes that fit.

A lower body lift, or belt lipectomy, is a single surgery that combines a tummy tuck with a circumferential lateral thigh and buttock lift to address the loose skin from all around the midsection. The result is a dramatic transformation of the abdomen, hips, lateral thighs and buttocks.

Your goals and your current degree of sagging will help you and Dr. Davis decide on the right course of action. Multiple surgeries may be needed to ensure you achieve the best results. Individuals wanting more dramatic results may want a lower body lift, while a tummy tuck may be sufficient for some patients. When several areas need treatment, Dr. Davis will often stage your procedures. For example, he prefers to perform a thigh lift as a separate surgery after you have fully recovered from your tummy tuck, because combining the two can lead to excess swelling in the legs and healing problems.

During your procedure, Dr. Davis will make incisions along the natural creases of your body (typically the bikini or underwear line) and use these to tighten the underlying tissue and remove the excess skin. Placing the incisions this way helps keep the scar hidden under most underwear and swimwear. The incisions are then closed with absorbable sutures. You can view real patient results in our body lift before and after gallery.

Significant weight loss can also cause the upper arms to droop. While exercise and weight lifting can tone up the arms, the loose skin typically does not tighten up on its own, and many people feel self-conscious wearing short sleeves or tank tops. For that, an arm lift, or brachioplasty, can be performed to remove the excess skin and fat and reshape the upper arm for a smoother, more slender look.

Dr. Davis will listen to your concerns and goals for your arms and assess your degree of sagging skin. From there, he will design a customized arm lift plan and discuss the incisions that will be utilized. If excess fat is also a concern, he may recommend combining liposuction with your arm lift.

Typically, the incision begins in the armpit and runs down the inner side of the arm, and depending on your needs, it may extend all the way to the elbow. Dr. Davis will make every effort to make the incisions as discreet as possible, placing them on the inner arm where they are least visible. Once the incisions are made, he will tighten the underlying tissue and remove the excess skin to give your arms a smoother, more toned appearance.

Arm lift surgery takes around 2 hours and is performed under general anesthesia. Afterward, you will wear compression wraps or sleeves and keep your arms elevated as much as possible to reduce swelling. Recovery takes about 2 weeks, and you can begin unrestricted activity at 8 weeks. Because both arms are treated at the same time, it helps to arrange a little assistance at home during the first week. See more results in our arm lift before and after gallery.

The thigh area is one of the most complained about areas for individuals who have had bariatric surgery or major weight loss. Loose, sagging skin on the thighs can cause discomfort and chafing when participating in physical activities or even with daily movement, and it can make pants, shorts and swimsuits fit poorly.

During your thigh lift procedure, Dr. Davis uses incisions along the groin area and down the inseam of the thighs to remove excess skin. Typically, the incision runs from the groin crease toward the knee so the scar stays on the inner thigh where it is least visible. The size and location of the incisions will be determined during your consultation based on your degree of sagging and your goals. If excess fat is also a concern, he may recommend combining liposuction with your thigh lift.

A thigh lift takes around 2 to 3 hours and is performed under general anesthesia. You will wear a compression garment after surgery and will likely have a small drain tube in each leg for the first week to help remove extra fluid. Recovery takes about 2 to 3 weeks, and keeping your legs elevated as much as possible helps reduce swelling. You can begin unrestricted activity at 8 weeks.