Patients who have undergone bariatric surgery are able to achieve significant weight loss but are often left with stretched, excess skin after they lose weight. RGV Cosmetic Surgery & Vein Center offers post-bariatric surgery to patients in Corpus Christi Texas, Portland, Ingleside, Robstown, Aransas Pass, Rockport, Kingsville, Alice, and all of South Texas who are looking to remove this excess skin and achieve a more contoured figure.
What is Post-Bariatric Surgery?
Post-bariatric surgery is a medical procedure that is used to treat obesity and its related health issues. It uses a combination of surgery and lifestyle changes to help people lose and maintain weight.
The two most common types of post-bariatric surgeries are gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy. Gastric bypass is the most popular post-bariatric surgery in the United States, with more than 200,000 cases performed each year.
What Types Of Abdominoplasty Are Involved In Post-Bariatric Surgery?
For the majority of patients, Bariatric surgery is not a one-time procedure. Almost every patient requires some type of Cosmetic Surgery following their operation. The procedures commonly performed for these patients include:
- Extended abdominoplasty – The extended abdominoplasty is an alternative variation of the typical tummy tuck procedure that involves removing skin from the side of the patient. It’s suitable for patients looking to get rid of love handles, as well, and is best suited for people who are also experiencing extra skin in this area.
- Fleur-de-Lys abdominoplasty – A Fleur-de-Lys abdominoplasty is a type of tummy tuck that starts with a cut made around the navel horizontally. Then an additional vertical cut at the middle of the torso down to about where the hips meet, though there is no specific length. In most cases, this procedure cuts off excess fat and skin from your midsection
- Around-the-World abdominoplasty -The “around-the-world” abdominoplasty is a combination of three different surgeries, which means we can improve the entire appearance of your torso. These include a tummy tuck, thigh lift, and butt lift.
Patients who have experienced significant weight loss may consider a panniculectomy. Unfortunately, insurance coverage for this procedure is limited. If your doctor recommends it- the costs would outweigh the benefits.
A panniculectomy is a surgery that removes only the extra skin from your belly button and below. A tummy tuck can perform a more effective tightening by tightening the muscles and tissue around it too.
There are several types of tummy tucks available, so patients can tailor the results to suit their needs.
What Is An Upper Body Lift For Post-Bariatric Surgery?
An upper-body lift is made up of different surgeries that mainly improve the appearance of the upper body and back. The patient might also need an upper abdominal lift to get the desired results.
For some patients, the upper body lift will involve a breast lift or an arm lift. A breast lift after massive weight loss is more difficult to perform because of the excess skin.
Typically, in addition to a lift, breast implants are required by women with droopy breasts or male patients with excess skin. We use VASERLipo® for male patients who have enlarged breasts.
Previously, we were unable to remove excess skin that would make the chest appear more feminine. A male client could choose an implant at this point but it wouldn’t be as effective since they would still have a female breast shape.
A Brachioplasty, or arm lift, will remove any excess skin and fat that hangs on the upper arm. This is usually done through an incision that runs along the inside of the arm from the elbow to the armpit. It halves the extra skin and fat that many people find unsightly and pulls it up to be hidden underneath some of your other tissue.
While arm lift scars are one of the hardest to hide, post-bariatric patients love them since they get a more desirable contour.
This can be achieved either with the full or the short scar arm lift, depending on how much skin needs to be removed and what your goals in aesthetics are. The technique chosen will depend on what is best for you.
What Happens After Post-Bariatric Surgery and How to Prepare for it?
The procedure is usually done with general anesthesia, and the patient will be unconscious during the entire surgery.
After a successful surgery, the patient will be taken to a recovery room where they are monitored until they are fully awake and ready to return home. It is important to have someone stay with you as you recover so that they can help you with any needs that arise.
After surgery, patients often feel tired for a few days. They should take it easy for a few days and avoid strenuous activities like heavy lifting or exercise until their energy levels return to normal.
What Is A Thigh Lift For Post-Bariatric Surgery?
Thigh lifts remove excess skin and fat from the inner thighs to create smoother skin while adding contours to the body.
Inner thigh lift surgery is the final stage of body contouring for most patients after a bariatric treatment. It will generally be performed after an abdominoplasty, which serves as a buffer before the thigh lift procedure and minimizes scarring.
How Much Does Post-Bariatric Surgery Cost?
To determine the cost of post-bariatric surgery, we invite you to schedule a consultation at our practice. Our consultations are focused on determining your cosmetic and medical goals so that we can have the best treatment plan for you and your unique needs.
If you decide to proceed with your treatment and are looking for financing, we will be able to provide you with a breakdown of the costs at RGV Cosmetic Surgery & Vein Center. We also accept cash, checks, money orders and major credit cards.
We also offer two secure, convenient ways to make payments: online and in person at RGV Cosmetic Surgery & Vein Center. In addition, we’re one of the select few surgeons who perform the complex post-bariatric surgery you might be looking for.
If you are considering this or other cosmetic procedures, contact us today to schedule your initial consultation. We proudly serve patients living in and around Corpus Christi Texas, Portland, Ingleside, Robstown, Aransas Pass, Rockport, Kingsville, Alice, and all of South Texas.
These Article are for general information only.
