About After Weight Loss Surgery
Each year, tens of thousands of patients lose more than 80 pounds either through weight loss surgery or lifestyle change. As part of your final accomplishment, you may wish to remove the loose skin that occurs after achieving this life-transforming goal. This type of surgery involves several procedures that cosmetic surgeons Dr. Erik Nuveen and Dr. Courtney Caplin can perform at Cosmetic Surgery Affiliates in Oklahoma City. Body contouring surgery can lift the lower body, augment the breasts, reshape the arms, reduce upper back fat, and tighten the thighs. Both Dr. Nuveen and Dr. Caplin are internationally renowned for their research and performance of outpatient body contouring procedures.
With your needs in mind, our all-inclusive pricing, convenient AAAHC-certified facility, and overnight guest suite allow us immediate access to patients during recovery and reduces costs. We perform the surgeries to carefully remove loose skin and tighten the remaining tissue for a more contoured look. Common after weight loss procedures include a combination of surgical techniques, like body lifts, thigh lifts, arm lifts, and tummy tucks. Please schedule a consultation to learn more about your treatment options.
What are the benefits of after weight loss surgery?
Weight loss is a noteworthy undertaking that you should take satisfaction in; despite that, weight loss could alternatively bring on other troubles, including saggy skin and unsightly pockets of fat. After weight loss surgery in Oklahoma City, OK at Cosmetic Surgery Affiliates could allow you to complement your change with many amazing benefits, which include:
- Gets rid of extra lax, hanging skin
- Provides lift and firms skin
- Suitable for assorted areas of the body
- Reshapes the physique for a more symmetrical, consistent shape
- Improves mobility and movement
- Helps to improve posture
- Results in an enhanced, more appealing look
- Helps to reduce skin sensitivity and chafing
- Provides a boost to poise and body image
After Weight Loss Surgery Reviews
Am I a good candidate for after weight loss surgery?
As you reach your goal weight, you may realize the need for skin removal surgery, especially if your skin causes chafing, infections, or pinches during certain movements. You may benefit from after weight loss surgery if you have:
- Sagging breasts
- Loose folds of skin around the abdomen
- Hanging skin and fat pockets around the hips
- Sagging skin and excessive wrinkling around the buttocks area
- Hanging skin from the inner thigh to the knee area
- “Bat wings” or loose skin on the underside of the arms
- “Turtle neck” or loose skin around the neck
Many of these conditions are inevitable after experiencing significant weight loss because skin, when stretched for a long time, loses its elasticity and can no longer shrink back as the body becomes smaller.
Can I combine multiple body contouring surgeries?
After weight loss or body contouring surgery removes excess skin and fat that is loose, excessive, or hanging. Our team often recommends grouping lower or upper body treatments together. By doing this, we can minimize the costs, reduce the risk, maintain safety, and improve satisfaction with decreased recovery times. An example of how a surgeon may group the surgeries include:
- Total upper body lift: this includes arm lift (brachioplasty) and breast augmentation + breast lift.
- Body lift surgery: this includes a buttocks lift, lateral thigh lift, and full tummy tuck.
What should I expect during and after body contouring?
After weight loss surgery is considered a major operation, which requires some form of anesthesia. Generally, the average duration of surgery is between 2 – 3 hours. At the time of your procedure, a minimum of two experienced surgeons helps perform your lower body or upper body lift. Because of increased safety and satisfaction, an overnight stay in the hospital is NOT required or recommended. In these cases, we use at least one drain to help with fluid retention.
In rare cases, some complications may exist, including bleeding or hospital admission. To date, this has not occurred because of careful and precise techniques. Scarring does happen with these surgeries, but we do our best to place them in areas you can easily conceal. Additionally, we provide aftercare instructions that reduce scars and help with healing. Because the surgery provides such impactful and positive results, it's often life-changing to the patient.
After Weight Loss Surgery FAQ
How much does after weight loss surgery cost?
Since this type of surgery combines multiple procedures, the cost will depend on the number of procedures we perform. The average full body lift procedure starts at $14,570. All fees are listed under the tab “Pricing.” Total upper body lift surgery includes arm reduction, axillary reduction, or breast lift with implants. Your treatment plan generally includes a facility fee, anesthesia fee, garments, consultation, all follow-up care, and supplies. Medication costs do vary but depend on allergies and preferences. Typically, it's around $70 – 100.
**Fees are subject to change. No doctor/patient relationship is established until an examination is performed by a licensed physician. We will discuss all specific details of your care during a consultation. Often, additional records or information may be requested from sub-specialists to optimize your care.
What areas can I treat with after weight loss surgery?
We usually address the abdomen, buttocks, upper thighs, breasts, arms, and neck. The most common areas for improvement include the breasts and stomach, which we can perform at the same time. During your weight loss journey, the areas of loose skin tend to become more obvious. If you have reached your ideal weight but have loose skin, we recommend scheduling a consultation with one of our board-certified cosmetic surgeons. Because this treatment is highly specialized, you should focus on finding a surgeon that works best for your needs over budget. We offer payment options to make it easier for you.
Should I be at my ideal weight before a body lift?
Ideal body weight before your surgery depends upon stability and health. Often, patients have a body mass index (BMI) below 30 prior to surgery, but some are not stable at this level. Therefore, we can accept patients with no other associated medical conditions and with a 40 BMI or higher. Sometimes, patients will lose around 15 – 35 pounds from the removal of excess skin and fat. Often, after surgical removal of excess skin, patients accelerate in their weight loss because of increased motivation and mobility.
Will insurance cover after weight loss surgery?
Unfortunately, insurance coverage is not available for this type of surgery. Based on your needs, we strive to provide high-quality service at a fair and fully transparent price. However, we can provide a letter supporting patient reimbursement to insurance companies for a $35 paper filing fee. Our financial coordinator works to provide accurate estimates associated with the physician-recommended procedures. She can assist in securing financing through various options. We sincerely care about your medical and financial well-being. Our team works with you to find the best, lowest fees, and lowest interest options for your surgery.
We are not affiliated with any financing company and do not receive benefits or compensation for our directing of patients to a particular group. We recommend home equity loans and bank-associated personal loans as a first choice. Alternative methods do exist, and we will help you achieve your goals thoughtfully.
What will be included in my after weight loss surgery?
Common areas that are corrected in after weight loss surgery are the abdomen, buttocks, upper thighs, neck, arms, and breasts. In your consultation, Dr. Nuveen will understand your needs and wants before performing an examination. When this is complete, he will give you his suggestions on what needs to be part of your after weight loss surgery.
When should I get my after weight loss surgery?
During the course of losing weight, loose skin will become apparent and it's usually around this time that you should schedule your initial consultation at Cosmetic Surgery Affiliates. During this consultation, Dr. Nuveen can discuss how before your surgery and what might be included in your treatment plan. Before scheduling this procedure, you should be at or near a stable weight.
