Rejuvenation After Weight Loss

Losing weight is a tremendous accomplishment. However, many people who have lost a significant amount of weight are left with loose, excess skin and bothersome stretch marks. Whether weight loss is achieved through bariatric surgery, dieting or after pregnancy, the excess skin often leads to difficulty wearing clothes and rashes.

Body contouring procedures are often extensive in nature, particularly when massive weight loss has occurred. Dr. Lim and Dr. Weintraub both evaluate every patient, and they perform all operations together as a team. With these procedures, Duet Plastic Surgery helps people from all over the San Francisco Bay Area complete their weight loss journeys and enjoy their new bodies to the fullest.

Who is a Good Candidate for Body Contouring?

People who have successfully lost weight and maintained their weight loss through a healthy lifestyle are good candidates for body contouring procedures. The surgeons of Duet Plastic Surgery offer San Jose and Bay Area residents multiple procedures to remove excess skin after weight loss. These procedures are designed to sculpt the body and tighten the skin once the goal weight has been achieved and maintained.

Which Body Contouring Procedures Are Right For Me?

Arm Lift Breast Lift & Augmentation Abdominoplasty Thigh Lift Lower Body Lift

Arm Lift

After losing weight, loose skin on the underside of the arm frequently occurs. People are able to tone their muscles with exercise, but are unable to tighten the skin that hangs from the arms. An arm lift, or brachioplasty, is a procedure that removes excess skin and some fat in order to create a toned appearance in the arm. The incision is made along the upper, inner arm. The procedure takes between 2 and 3 hours, and drain tubes will be left in place after surgery until Dr. Lim and Dr. Weintraub feel it is safe to remove them. You will likely wear a garment for several weeks after your operation to minimize swelling. As an alternative to an arm lift, liposuction may be considered if the skin quality of the arms is good but fat remains after weight loss.
Back to top

Breast Lift & Augmentation

Many women notice their breasts droop after losing weight. A breast lift reshapes the breasts to a more youthful, rounded shape and also repositions the breast and nipple to a more natural position.

There are several different ways to perform a breast lift, depending on the extent that the breast droops. A subtle breast elevation can be done simply with an incision around the nipple/areola, while a more extensive lift requires a vertical incision and possibly an “anchor” type incision.

In addition to the breasts sagging, weight loss often causes women to lose fullness in their breasts, particularly in the upper portion. In these situations, a breast lift can be combined with an augmentation. Breast implants can help bring fullness to the upper portions of the breasts and shape them, restoring their youthful appearance. Drs. Lim and Weintraub will discuss whether this option is right for you at your consultation.

Each woman is unique and requires a personalized approach to help her achieve her goals. The team at Duet operates together to shorten your time spent under general anesthesia, and increase your safety and comfort.
Back to top

Abdominoplasty

Weight loss, whether after bariatric surgery, dieting or pregnancy, commonly leaves extra skin in the abdominal area, which often makes it difficult to fit into your "true" size. In addition, weight fluctuations can leave unsightly stretch marks that are often unchanged by topical creams.

Abdominoplasty, or “tummy tuck”, is a procedure that removes the excess skin and fat as well as stretch marks of the lower abdomen. The abdominal muscles are often tightened to help narrow the waistline. Liposuction is added when appropriate to further sculpt the abdomen and flanks. All of these procedures can help restore your contour after weight loss. A carefully tailored plastic surgical plan is created for you at your free consultation at Duet.

Dr. Lim and Dr. Weintraub operate together, which reduces the time you spend under general anesthesia. Abdominoplasty can take 2 – 4 hours, and the resulting scar lies low on the abdomen near the pubic area, where it can be easily concealed by underwear or your bathing suit.

You are taught how to take care of your drain tubes, which are removed in the office in 1 – 2 weeks, depending on your recovery. You will wear a special compressive abdominal garment after surgery to help reduce swelling, and you will be able to shower once the drain tubes are removed.

Some people will be able to go home the day of surgery, however, more extensive surgery or patients visiting from outside of the Bay Area will warrant an overnight stay in a care facility or hospital. Returning to work is usually possible 2 – 4 weeks after surgery. While we encourage you to take gentle walks following surgery, strenuous activity should be avoided for 6 – 8 weeks following an abdominoplasty to allow proper healing.

Although the scar will always be present, it should fade over time and in the eyes of our weight loss patients, is a happy tradeoff for the banished folds of skin. After a tummy tuck, Duet's weight loss patients notice an incredible improvement not only in their abdominal contour, but also their lifestyle.
Back to top

Thigh Lift

The inner thighs are an area commonly affected by weight loss, especially if a significant amount of weight was lost. Skin loses its elasticity with age, gravity and with changes in weight. A thigh lift removes the excess inner thigh skin and fat, improving the contour and shape of the thighs. Liposuction is typically performed as well to further sculpt the thighs.

A thigh lift takes approximately 2 hours and the incision is concealed in the groin crease. A more extensive thigh lift may require an incision along the upper, inner thigh to fully remove the excess skin and fat. Dr. Lim and Dr. Weintraub will discuss which approach is best for you during your consultation. You will wear a compressive garment similar to a girdle for several weeks after the operation to help with swelling. While you will be encouraged to walk after surgery, you will need to avoid strenuous activity for 4 - 6 weeks following surgery to allow your body to heal. Most patients find that they fit into their clothes more comfortably after a thigh lift.
Back to top

Lower Body Lift

People who have lost significant amounts of weight are often surprised at the profound effects on their skin. Skin that has been stretched by weight gain and weight loss has poor tone and elasticity, causing it to sag. Gravity and age also contribute to the problem, resulting in loose, excess skin of the lower body.

A lower body lift is an extensive procedure consisting of an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), outer thigh lift and buttock lift. The lower body lift removes the excess skin from the lower body, including the abdomen, hips, outer thighs and buttocks, to improve contour and shape. The abdominal wall is tightened to contour the waist, and liposuction is typically used as well to further sculpt the lower body.

A lower body lift can take approximately 4-6 hours. Dr. Lim and Dr. Weintraub operate together during the procedure to shorten the operative time and make the operation as safe as possible. The incision for a lower body lift is placed low on the abdomen and is carried around the hips to the lower back just above the buttocks. The scar does not disappear, but fades over time and is concealed under most bathing suits.

Drain tubes are placed and are removed once the Duet surgeons feel it is safe to do so. You will wear a compressive garment for several weeks to reduce swelling and help you heal. Due to the extensive nature of the lower body lift, patients are required to stay in a care facility or hospital following the operation for monitoring and pain control.

After weight loss, a lower body lift with Duet can literally transform your body and help you achieve the look you deserve.
Back to top