Cosmetic Surgery after Weight Loss

If you’ve recently lost a large amount of weight (or even a small amount of weight that’s left excess skin behind), you might be a good candidate for body contouring. It’s important to first reach or come very close to your target weight, and then maintain that weight for several months. You should also be committed to maintaining your current weight and existing diet and exercise routine in order to see the best long-term results. The best candidates should also be in good physical and mental health overall and have realistic expectations about their outcome.

“Body contouring” is a blanket term that can include a number of different procedures, depending on your specific needs and preferences. Typically, post-bariatric plastic surgery includes major surgeries such as a tummy tuck, but may also include body sculpting procedures for fine-tuning your figure like liposuction or breast enhancement. Your surgeon will work with you to understand your cosmetic goals so he can create a customized plan that’s tailored just for you.

After weight loss, plastic surgery procedures that Dr. Koehler or Dr. Gardner may recommend include:

During your consultation, Dr. Koehler or Dr. Gardner will take the time to understand your goals, review your medical history and perform a thorough physical examination to assess skin elasticity, remaining stubborn fat and overall body proportions. They’ll discuss which body contouring procedures can best achieve your desired results and, together with your input, will create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs.

Because each patient’s weight loss journey and needs are unique, your surgeon may recommend staging procedures over multiple sessions to ensure optimal safety and results. This approach allows the body to heal properly between surgeries while prioritizing the areas of greatest concern, such as the abdomen, arms, thighs or breasts, first. Your surgeon will discuss staging recommendations with you during this time so you have an accurate idea of the timeline you can expect for your post-weight-loss procedure(s).

Each body contouring procedure is personalized to meet your individual needs and goals. Surgery is typically performed as an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia, so you will need someone to drive you home and stay with you for at least the first 24 hours. Depending on the extent and complexity of your procedure, as well as the number of areas being treated, surgery can take anywhere from 3 to 8 hours.

Your surgeon will follow the specific surgical plan that was discussed with you prior to your surgery day. This generally begins with carefully creating discreet incisions, removing excess skin, tightening underlying tissues and improving body contours in areas like the waist, arms, thighs, breasts and buttocks. In some cases, multiple procedures may be combined into a single operation, while others may be staged over several sessions to allow for optimal healing and results.

Incisions are placed strategically to minimize visible scarring, and once the desired contours are achieved, they are carefully closed. Compression garments are applied after surgery to help reduce swelling and support the newly sculpted areas during recovery.

Because every patient’s body shape, goals and weight loss journey are different, your surgical plan will be customized to help you safely achieve the best possible outcome.

Your recovery experience and timeline will depend on the scope of your post-weight-loss body contouring procedures and the number of areas treated. In general, most patients spend the first few days resting at home and can gradually increase their activity level as healing progresses over the following weeks. You may experience temporary swelling, bruising, tightness or discomfort, which can be managed with prescribed medications and compression garments.

Light walking is encouraged soon after surgery to promote circulation and reduce the risk of complications, but strenuous activity and heavy lifting should be avoided for several weeks. Many people are able to return to work and light daily activities within around 2 weeks, though more extensive procedures may require a longer recovery period of 3 to 4 weeks or more.

Your surgeon will provide detailed post-operative instructions, including how to care for incisions, when to resume exercise and what signs of healing to expect. Follow-up appointments will be scheduled to monitor your progress and ensure that you’re healing as expected.

• Podcast: After Losing 200+ Pounds, Cosmetic Surgery Is More Than a “Vanity Thing”: After losing over 200 pounds, a patient shares how body contouring surgery was not just about appearance but a key step in reclaiming comfort, confidence and a life she could fully engage in again. 
• Podcast: The Truth about GLP-1s for Weight Loss: GLP-1 medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide can be so helpful for weight loss, but only when combined with lasting lifestyle changes.
• What’s the Best Way to Get Rid of Stretch Marks? If you’re left with stretch marks after weight loss, consider this innovative treatment option that might be able to help.