After Weight Loss Procedures

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.

A tummy tuck from Dr. Davis will remove loose, sagging skin and tighten stretched abdominal muscles. Dr. Davis makes the tummy tuck incision low to keep the scar well-hidden beneath the underwear line. He also commonly combines the tummy tuck with liposuction of the surrounding areas 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 may also recommend combining your tummy tuck with liposuction or with breast surgery as part of a mommy makeover to create more balanced, comprehensive results.

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. This can cause a host of issues with both comfort and confidence.

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 mid-section. 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.

During your procedure, Dr. Davis will make incisions along the natural creases of your body (typically the bikini/underwear line) and use these to tighten the underlying muscles and remove the excess skin. The incisions are then closed with absorbable sutures.

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. For that, an arm lift or brachioplasty can be performed to remove the excess skin and reshape the upper arm.

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.

Depending on your needs, the incisions may extend all the way to the elbow. Dr. Davis will make every effort to make the incisions as discreet as possible. 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.

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

During your thigh lift procedure, Dr. Davis uses incisions along the groin area and down the inseam of the thighs to remove excess skin. The size and location of the incisions will be determined during your consultation based on your degree of sagging and your goals.