With the growing popularity of bariatric procedures, or weight loss surgery, as a treatment for obesity, body contouring has become the final step in the care for many of these patients. Through a wide range of skin removal procedures, board-certified plastic surgeon Neil J. Zemmel, MD, FACS can help men and women who recently underwent major weight loss achieve the smoother, more contoured physique they have worked so hard to obtain.
If you think you might be a good candidate for body contouring following significant weight loss, this page will give you a basic understanding of the procedures and the results you can expect.
- Why Choose Richmond Aesthetic Surgery
- Breast Augmentation CandidatesPost-Bariatric Surgery Body Contouring Candidates
- Timing of Plastic Surgery After Bariatric Procedures
- Types of Skin Removal Surgery
- Number of Surgeries for Post-Weight Loss Body Contouring
- Body Contouring After Major Weight Loss Cost
- Body Contouring After Weight Loss & Insurance
Why Choose Us for Your Post-Weight Loss Plastic Surgery?
Dr. Zemmel is highly qualified in performing skin removal after major weight loss surgery with patient safety and optimal results as the highest priority. He completed the highly competitive Integrated Plastic Surgery program at the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond, Virginia. During his General Surgery training, Dr. Zemmel assisted with and performed dozens of gastric bypass procedures with several nationally known general surgeons specializing in this field. He also learned the pre-operative and post-operative needs of this patient population and directly provided post-operative care for many patients.
Dr. Zemmel then matriculated to the Plastic Surgery program where he provided dozens of body contouring surgeries to the very same patients. This unique training experience equipped him to understand all aspects of bariatric surgery, allowing him to deliver safe and precise body contouring after major weight loss.
Dr. Zemmel has a special interest in post-weight loss surgery body contouring and dedicates a large portion of his practice to this complex, challenging, and rewarding specialty.
He applies the latest techniques in body sculpting tailored to each patient’s specific needs and goals. He can help you realize the new shape that is hidden beneath the excess skin that remains after your goal weight has been achieved.
How Soon After Bariatric Surgery Can I Get Plastic Surgery?
After weight loss procedures like gastric bypass surgery, many patients obtain their target weight within 12 to 18 months. This is typically a good time to consider skin removal and body lifting procedures, since your body will likely not undergo more dramatic changes that would interfere with the aesthetic results of plastic surgery.
The best way to learn if you are ready for body contouring is to schedule a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Zemmel, who can provide an honest look at the safety of undergoing cosmetic surgery and your projected results.
What Are the Different Types of Skin Removal Surgery?
Patients who have undergone bariatric surgery and the subsequent weight loss have numerous but similar areas of concern. These areas usually include the face and neck, breasts, abdomen, buttocks, thighs, and arms. Common plastic surgery procedures to address excess or sagging skin in these areas include:
Facelift and Neck Lift Surgery
Many patients show signs of premature aging due to excess skin around the face and neck. Depending on the degree of excess tissue a facelift (rhytidectomy) in combination with a brow lift or blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) may be necessary to rejuvenate the face. Dr. Zemmel also specializes in minimally invasive facial procedures including the endoscopic brow lift and the MACS (Minimal Access Cranial Suspension) facelift.
Fleur-De-Lis Abdominoplasty
A fleur-de-lis abdominoplasty, also known as a fleur-de-lis tummy tuck, is an extended version of the traditional tummy tuck, with additional contouring of the upper abdomen. This method can be especially effective for bariatric surgery patients that have lost a substantial amount of weight (upwards of 100 pounds) and wish to reduce and tighten a significant amount of excess skin, fat, and tissue across the entire abdomen.
Breast Lift
Both women and men may have drooping or sagging of the breasts due to stretching of the skin and volume loss. For women, a mastopexy (breast lift) may be necessary to reposition the nipple and remove excess skin. This may be performed with or without the addition of breast implants to improve shape, volume, and cleavage of the breasts.
Lower Body Lift
Some patients may have laxity of the trunk that extends around the hips and flanks to the buttock area. This may be treated with a lower body (circumferential body) lift, which helps lift the sagging tissue and tighten the area for a smoother shape.
Breast Reduction
For men unhappy with sagging breast tissue after major weight loss, several male breast reduction techniques are available depending on the degree of correction required. Liposuction can also be incorporated to remove isolated pockets of fat.
Thigh Lift
Excess skin can also accumulate around the inner thigh area, leading to chafing, rashes, and feeling self-conscious. Depending on the amount of laxity, the incision for a thigh lift can be placed along the groin crease or lengthwise down the inner thigh for an inconspicuous result.
Tummy Tuck
Women and men often have excess, overhanging skin in the abdominal wall area. Occasionally this hanging skin can cause hygiene and health problems associated with repeated skin rashes, skin breakdown, and fungal infections. The underlying abdominal wall muscles may also be lax, and both of these problems can be effectively addressed with a tummy tuck or abdominoplasty.
Arm Lift
Some patients also wish to improve the contour of the upper arms after major weight loss. If a large amount of skin is present creating a “hammock” appearance, an upper arm lift (brachioplasty) may provide relief. This is done via a lengthwise incision placed on the inner back side of the arm with possible extension into the underarm area.
“Dr. Neil Zemmel and staff have been absolutely wonderful from my first consultation, through the insurance process, Pre Op, Surgery, and Post Op.”
Can Post-Bariatric Body Contouring Be Performed in One Surgery?
All of a patient’s trouble areas typically cannot be addressed during one operation, creating the need for multiple stages of surgery. However, it is common to combine a tummy tuck with a breast lift (with or without the addition of breast implants), or a thigh lift with an arm lift. Two procedures can usually be safely combined.
During your consultation, Dr. Zemmel will listen to your priorities, complete a full examination of your body, and develop a comprehensive plan for your body contouring surgery.
How Much Does Post-Weight Loss Surgery Body Contouring Cost?
Since plastic surgery after major weight loss is highly tailored to the needs of each individual, the cost of your treatment plan may greatly vary from another patient’s total cost. Factors that may affect your cost include:
- Number of surgeries you undergo
- Complexity of your treatment plan
- Expertise of your plastic surgeon
- Geographic area of the practice
- Associated fees
After your consultation with Dr. Zemmel, our team can provide you with a personalized cost to help you budget for your procedure(s). If you are interested in dividing your total cost into smaller monthly payments, we accept multiple plastic surgery financing options to make plastic surgery more affordable.
Does Insurance Cover Body Contouring After Weight Loss?
Insurance coverage for body contouring after major weight loss varies depending on your provider and specific benefits plan. Generally, when a procedure is performed for cosmetic reasons, it will most likely not be covered by insurance. However, if the treatment is considered to be a medical issue that may affect mobility or physical activity, such as the formation of a panniculus—a layer of excess skin and fat hanging over the lower abdomen—the procedure may be at least partially covered by insurance. For these individuals, there is usually a referral process and/or pre-authorization in order to qualify for the benefits prior to surgery.
It is best to consult with your insurance provider directly regarding available coverage and any necessary requirements. Our team is happy to be of assistance in any way we can help, as well as to discuss questions regarding payment options for out-of-pocket costs incurred for body contouring procedures.
Schedule Your Post-Weight Loss Plastic Surgery Consultation
For a complete evaluation, please contact our team at Richmond Aesthetic Surgery to schedule a consultation with Dr. Zemmel.
