Dramatic weight loss whether achieved by proper nutrition and exercise or as the result of weight reduction surgery has many obvious health benefits. However, once you reach your target weight, you may find that you still do not have the fit and healthy body image you desire. Skin may be loose and sagging and, in many cases, your body contours may appear irregular and disproportionate. Over the past few years, bariatric surgery, often referred to as gastric bypass surgery, has become a common method of massive weight loss for clinically obese individuals. Often 100 or more pounds are lost. After such massive weight loss, the skin and tissues lack the necessary elasticity and cannot conform to the reduced body sizes. As a result, the skin that has been severely stretched now is unsupported, and creates redundant folds and pockets. Skin that folds upon itself can become macerated (wet and infected) and is not only unattractive but also a potential hygiene and health problem.

Massive weight loss impacts the body in a variety of ways. While your health can be greatly improved by losing weight, your figure doesn’t always respond to weight loss the way you’d like it to.
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People who’ve lost significant amounts of weight often carry excess skin around their abdomens and waists, which prevents their clothing from fitting comfortably. The inner thighs may have lingering fatty tissue or hanging skin, which can cause chafing as you walk or exercise. Finally, the upper arms, back, chin and breasts may sag, retain excess fat or otherwise affect your overall appearance.
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Your post-weight loss body contouring can be accomplished in stages, or, if appropriate, in a single surgery that combines multiple procedures. The most common post-weight loss procedures are listed below. However, if you have a concern that is not addressed by these procedures, you can discuss your options with Dr. Gillespie during your initial consultation.

Tummy Tuck
A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, tightens the stomach skin and removes excess fatty tissue for a sleeker, fitter-looking midsection. A tummy tuck can also repair diastasis recti, or abdominal separation, a common issue for post-weight loss individuals.

Liposuction
Liposuction is one of the most popular post-weight loss procedures and can be applied virtually anywhere on the body. The surgery removes fat cells from diet and exercise-resistant pockets of fat, such as the love handles, thighs, abdomen, back, cankles or a double chin.

Thigh & Lower Body Lift
The thigh and body lift procedures use customized approaches to contour the thighs and buttocks by tightening the skin, repairing loose musculature and removing excess fat.

Thigh & Lower Body Lift
The thigh and body lift procedures use customized approaches to contour the thighs and buttocks by tightening the skin, repairing loose musculature and removing excess fat.

Arm Lift
A brachioplasty, or arm lift, is commonly used to reduce flabby upper arm tissue by tightening the skin and removing lingering fat for more toned upper arms.

Breast Lift & Augmentation
A breast lift, or mastopexy, repositions the breasts to a higher location on the torso to create a more youthful and perky breast appearance. A breast lift is often combined with breast augmentation to fill out volume while resolving breast sagging at the same time. Dr. Gillespie performs breast augmentation using saline or silicone implants, as well as fat transfer breast enlargement.

Breast Reduction
A breast reduction can create lighter, more proportionate breasts once you’ve reached your weight loss goals. In addition to providing a more comfortable clothing fit and reducing physical discomfort, many women feel that breast reduction helps them look and feel more confident.