You’ve worked hard every day for months, maybe even years, to achieve your weight loss goals and see that number go down on the scale each week. Now that you’ve researched your ideal weight or are close to it, you may notice loose skin in one or more body areas. Whether you lost a significant amount of weight from lifestyle changes or bariatric surgery, body contouring surgery can remove your lax skin to reveal your new figure. Dr. Georgina Nichols offers several loose skin removal procedures in Sacramento, including arm, thigh, and body lift.
Why Loose Skin Happens
Gaining a significant amount of weight affects the skin and supportive tissues, damaging collagen and elastin. As the skin stretches to accommodate more fatty tissue, it loses the ability to snap back into place after weight loss. Losing the extra weight may exacerbate stretch marks and leave you with extra skin folds on the lower stomach, arms, thighs, arms, breasts, chin, and other areas.
No amount of exercise or weightlifting can tone sagging skin. Body sculpting with a lift procedure can remove the loose skin to improve the body shape. You will feel more comfortable with fewer skin rashes or infections and can wear a broader selection of clothing without concerns.
1. Arm Lift
Arm lift, or brachioplasty, removes loose skin that droops down from the upper arms and forms the “batwing” appearance. The procedure tightens the tissues, smooths the skin for more arm definition, and may remove localized fat pockets. Men and women may develop sagging upper arm skin from natural aging and weight loss and could be genetically predisposed to drooping upper arms. Brachioplasty is best for people with upper arm skin laxity who are at a stable weight near or at their goal size.
2. Thigh Lift
Thigh lift, or thighplasty, reshapes the outer and/or inner thighs by removing loose skin and fat for a smooth, taut thigh contour and lower body. Patients achieve firmer, more youthful-looking thighs that are more proportionate to their overall figure. Thighplasty is best for patients with poor skin elasticity with significantly loose skin along the thighs.
3. Body Lift
Body lift is a more comprehensive procedure that removes loose skin and adjusts underlying tissue in multiple areas simultaneously. Dr. Nichols typically sculpts the abdominal area and extends to the sides, lower back, buttocks, and thighs. This option is best for people with significantly loose skin and hanging tissue in several body parts. Someone who loses 100 or more pounds may benefit from body lift surgery and can combine it with brachioplasty or another procedure.
Candidates for a lift procedure must demonstrate a commitment to continuing their healthy lifestyle and exercise routine to ensure long-lasting results. Additional weight loss or weight fluctuations could lead to more loose skin. They should be in good health with no medical concerns that could impact surgery and recovery.
If you struggle with loose skin, schedule a consultation with Georgina Nichols, MD, to discuss your plastic surgery options for excess skin removal. Contact our Sacramento, California, office at (916) 929-1833.
