Body Contouring After Weight Loss

Ideally, you should be at or very close to your goal weight and stable for 6-12 months. Most patients need to have lost at least 50 pounds to have significant excess skin. Bariatric surgery patients typically lose 100+ pounds. Your BMI should ideally be under 32-35 for best results and lowest surgical risk.

Sometimes. Insurance may cover procedures if you can document medical necessity—chronic rashes, infections, functional impairment, or hygiene issues caused by excess skin. You'll need photos, medical records, dermatology notes, and sometimes trial of conservative treatment. Coverage varies significantly by insurance company and plan. Our office helps with pre-authorization documentation.

This depends on extent of excess skin, your health, and safety considerations. Some patients can safely have lower body lift and upper body procedures in one surgery (6-8 hours maximum). Others need staging—lower body first, then upper body 6-12 months later. Extensive procedures are safer when staged. Dr. Kim will recommend the safest approach for your situation.

Body contouring creates significant scars—this is unavoidable. Lower body lift creates a circumferential scar around waist, usually hidden under underwear. Arm lift creates scars on underside of arms. Thigh lift creates scars in groin crease or running down inner thigh. Scars are initially red/raised but fade significantly over 12-24 months. Most patients feel the trade-off is absolutely worth it.

Recovery is challenging, especially the first 2 weeks. Lower body lift involves significant pain from muscle tightening. You'll be bent forward for about 2 weeks. Drains are uncomfortable. However, On-Q pain relief system, proper medication management, and gradual mobilization make it manageable. Most patients say the results are absolutely worth the temporary discomfort.

Desk work at 3-4 weeks for single procedures, 4-6 weeks for extensive surgery. Physical jobs need 6-8 weeks minimum. Light walking encouraged immediately. No lifting over 10 pounds for 6 weeks. No strenuous exercise for 8-12 weeks. Return to full activity including weight lifting at 3-4 months. Your body needs significant time to heal after major surgery.

Significant weight gain (20+ pounds) can stretch remaining skin and compromise results. Some new looseness may develop, though usually not as severe as before surgery. Moderate fluctuations (5-10 pounds) typically don't significantly affect results. This is why weight stability for 6-12 months before surgery is crucial—it demonstrates you can maintain your weight long-term.

Age itself isn't a disqualifying factor—overall health is what matters most. We've safely performed body contouring on patients in their 60s and 70s who are otherwise healthy. Older patients may heal slightly slower and have more medical considerations, but if you're healthy, non-smoking, and medically cleared, age shouldn't prevent you from completing your transformation.