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How Much Weight Should I Lose After Bariatric Surgery Before a Body Lift?

You’re on the tail end of a significant decision—bariatric surgery.

You’ve experienced the major benefits of your lifestyle choices: being more active, fitting into fashionable clothes, living with fewer health issues, and much more. But you might find extreme weight loss has resulted in loose, saggy skin.

The most effective solution for this cosmetic concern is post-bariatric surgery, better known as a body lift. To complete your body-sculpting plan, you must learn how much weight you should lose before a body lift is possible.

What is a Body Lift?

A body lift combines multiple body-shaping procedures to reduce excess sagging skin from multiple areas after significant weight loss. A lower body lift (lipectomy) focuses on the abdomen, thighs, hips, buttocks, and lower back. It is typically a combination of these body contouring surgeries:

  • Lateral thigh lift
  • Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)
  • Buttock lift

This post-bariatric surgery dramatically enhances lower body contours by eliminating excess skin, flattening the abdomen, and firming your outer thighs and buttocks. But how can you determine the right weight to attain before one or all of these surgeries?

There’s No Magic Number

You might be looking for a specific BMI number that will give you the green light when you should get your post-bariatric surgery. But you won’t find one; remember that everybody is different, and there isn’t a defining range of weights perfect for post-bariatric surgery. You also shouldn’t try to lose as much weight as possible to prepare for your surgery; sometimes, rapid weight loss can result in drastic ups and downs in weight.

When Do I Know?

Most plastic surgeons suggest waiting at least a year, preferably two, for your weight to stabilize. Your stable weight after bariatric surgery might not be your ultimate low point, so it’s best to give yourself enough time to see where your weight is after an adjustment period.

Other Considerations

You must ensure that you are at peak physical and nutritional health before having post-bariatric surgery. A non-smoker is the best candidate for plastic surgery because nicotine seriously hampers how your body heals.

It might be frustrating to not get the body you want after bariatric surgery, but a body lift can change that. Do you want your body lift done by a surgeon with extensive plastic surgery experience? Contact Plastic Surgery Services of Fredericksburg to schedule a consultation with a compassionate and highly skilled plastic surgeon.

What Can a Body Lift Do for You?

A body lift is a plastic surgery procedure that can provide a plethora of benefits for a patient who has experienced dramatic weight loss. A body lift can help remove excess skin, reveal new contours, restore muscle structure and enhance comfort. Read our infographic below to learn more.

If you’re interested in a body lift, contact us today.

I Got Bariatric Surgery, Now What?

Bariatric surgery can be a life changing procedure. In fact, 95% of people who underwent weight loss surgery claim that their quality of life has improved somewhat. But what happens afterwards? What kind of lifestyle changes should you expect after bariatric surgery?

The Effects of Bariatric Surgery

After bariatric surgery, you’re expected to lose on average about 40-50% of extra weight. This can change your entire body chemistry and food processing mechanism.
For instance, you might experience things like:

  • Dumping- a term for nausea, vomiting, and weakness after eating foods high in sugar
  • A lack of absorption of nutrients like iron and vitamin D

Nutrition with Bariatric Surgery

But with the right lifestyle changes, you can continue to improve the results of your bariatric surgery.

  • Eat small meals: after surgery, your stomach will shrink to hold about 1-4 oz. of food. So, remember to eat small, frequent portions
  • Eat about 60-80g of protein each day, but don’t exceed 30g in one sitting!
  • Keep hydrated
  • Consult with a dietitian to make sure you’re getting all the proper nutrients in your new diet
  • Consult with a physician to see if you need to take vitamin supplements
  • Have a regular exercise routine

Body Contouring

Massive weight loss can also lead to excess skin sagging, but that can be fixed through additional surgical procedures called “Body Contouring.” What procedure you get depends on what area you want to work on.
One procedure is called a Body Lift, but technically, it’s a series of procedures:

  • A tummy tuck that flattens the tummy
  • A lateral thigh lift, with liposuction, tightens the skin around the thighs
  • A buttock lift, with liposuction, removes fat and tightens skin to create smoother curves

You can also get a brachioplasty, otherwise known as an arm lift, to remove fat and excess skin for a firmer upper arm.

Depending on what areas you want to target, different procedures can be performed together or done at a later time. Either way, you can completely customize your body contouring experience. If you consult with a surgeon, you can find out which of these procedures are right for you and when it’s the right time to get them.

Body contouring can really emphasize how hard you’ve worked to lose weight. If you feel like post-bariatric surgery is for you, don’t hesitate to contact the Plastic Surgery Services of Fredericksburg for a consultation with their surgeons.