Post Bariatric Surgery

At Plastic Surgery Services of Fredericksburg, our board certified plastic surgeons specialize in procedures such as body lift, buttocks and thigh lift, and brachioplasty (arm lift) to improve body contours by removing sagging skin and tissue. A body lift is actually a combination of procedures performed to reduce excess loose and sagging skin from multiple areas after substantial weight loss - typically following bariatric surgery. A lower body lift (also called belt lipectomy) focuses on the abdomen, hips, thighs, buttocks, and lower back. This procedure dramatically improves the contours of the lower body by eliminating excess skin, flattening the tummy and firming the outer thighs and buttocks. There is no bigger feeling of accomplishment than losing a significant amount of weight. After significant weight loss, sagging skin may still remain on your body, especially your belly or abdominal areas. Diet and exercise will NOT readily resolve excess skin or fat deposits and you may need abdominoplasty surgery to get the body changes you’re wanting - but which type of surgery is best, For some patients, a traditional tummy tuck can correct sagging skin. In a tummy tuck, the scar is mostly located across the lower abdomen.

However, this technique is not recommended for removing large amounts of excess skin or for patients who are carrying a lot of ‘front-side/front-centre’ excess skin. If this sounds like your body after weight loss, you MAY need a Fleur De Lis abdominoplasty. Fleur-de-Lis Abdominoplasty is a body contouring procedure that removes excess skin, fat and muscle from the stomach. The ‘Fleur-de-lis’ tummy tuck is designed to treat both excess vertical and circumferential skin found in massive weight loss patients by removing both horizontal and vertical wedge skin excisions. Rather than leaving just a long curved horizontal scar on the lower abdomen, the ‘Fleur-de-lis’ abdominoplasty also leaves a vertical scar in the midline of the stomach which runs from the lower chest down to the pubic area. The final scar is the shape of an inverted ‘T’. At Plastic Surgery Services we have a CRNA providing state of the art anesthesia to keep the patient comfortably asleep during the procedure.The procedure usually takes between 4 to 6 hours. Like a standard tummy tuck, the ‘Fleur-de-lis’ procedure also involves tightening of the abdominal muscles and repositioning of the belly button.

Drainage tubes are usually placed in the abdomen through tiny holes arranged in the incision, allowing fluid to escape while you heal. The incisions will be sutured and bandages will be applied. You will most likely need to wear a compression garment to reduce swelling, and provide comfort and support while you heal. Drainage tubes and sutures are usually removed within a week or two after the surgery. As with any major surgery, pain, swelling, and bruising are normal, and will typically subside within several weeks after surgery. At Plastic Surgery Services, we offer EXPAREL® PAIN MANAGEMENT, as an alternative for those unable to take opioid drugs. EXPAREL® is a slow-release analgesic that is injected into the new-surgical incision upon completion of the procedure. EXPAREL® can minimize post-operative pain and maximize comfort up to 72 hours. Your scar will fade considerably over time, and with proper diet and exercise you can enjoy a firmer, flatter abdomen for years.

A buttocks lift and thigh lift procedure is used to eliminate the fullness and sagging in the buttocks, hips, and outer thighs that often remains after massive weight loss, particularly in women. A combined buttocks and thigh lift involves a belt-like incision that runs above the outer thighs and buttocks. The excess skin is removed, the remaining tissue is lifted, and liposuction may also be used to eliminate fatty deposits and create a slimmer contour. This procedure removes excess, hanging skin and tissue from the upper arms that can add bulk and cause discomfort. Our surgeons use an incision along the inside of the upper arm that typically runs from the elbow to the armpit. Excess skin is removed, remaining tissue is tightened, and liposuction may be incorporated to eliminate residual pockets of fat. The result is a slimmer, more toned appearance of the upper arms. Many post weight loss patients require more than one body contouring procedure. In some cases, we can combine procedures, while other patients may benefit from having their surgeries performed in stages. Your plastic surgeon will advise you as to which procedure or combination of procedures will work best for you. Most of these procedures can be performed on an outpatient basis at our fully accredited facility in Fredericksburg. Please view our gallery to see some before and after image examples of our work on post bariatric surgery patients in various procedures including tummy tucks, fleur-de-lis, lower body-lift and arm lift surgeries. Visit our fees and financing page to find out about the cost of body contouring procedures and how you can save if you receive more than one procedure at Plastic Surgery of Fredericksburg. We treat patients from Fredericksburg, Richmond, Fairfax, and beyond.