Losing weight is a major accomplishment. However, for some men and women, especially those who lose a significant amount of weight, loose skin can be a problem. The board certified plastic surgeons in our Gainesville office offer after weight loss surgery for candidates who are at a stable weight and who wish to improve certain areas affected by weight loss. This may include the arms, abdomen, thighs, breasts, and buttocks. Many of these skin removal procedures can be combined to help complete the transformation process. This cosmetic skin removal/skin tightening surgery is common among patients who have lost around 100 pounds, and is especially common for bariatric patients who have successfully lost weight. Our team of surgeons will meet to discuss your specific needs. Those considering this surgery should be near their goal weight and the weight loss stabilized.

Weight loss patients will consider after weight loss surgery to correct or enhance one or more of the following conditions:

• Deflated and sagging breasts with nipples that point downward
• Loose and hanging skin on the abdomen
• Excess skin and pockets of fat on the hips
• Excess and deflated skin on and under the buttocks
• Loose and hanging skin around the knees and inner thighs
• Hanging skin on the underside of the arms (“bat wings”)
• Loose and hanging skin on the neck (“turkey neck”)

After weight loss surgery is performed under general anesthesia in our AAAASF (American Association for the Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities) accredited surgical facility.  The recovery following this surgery can be a slow process. While the post-surgical results can be life-changing for many weight loss patients, scarring is an unfortunate part of this process. Every attempt is made during surgery to minimize scarring as much as possible. Patients should adhere to a healthy lifestyle so that the results achieved through surgery are not compromised.

COMBINATION SURGERIES

The goal of after weight loss surgery is to reduce the amount of loose skin that collects and hangs on the body and to lift the body part, so it appears tighter. Multiple areas of the body may need to be addressed, depending on the needs of each patient. Most surgeons will group body parts together and stage them multiple surgeries. Doing so helps reduce the risk of complications, such as blood loss and infection. Examples of this grouping include:

• Upper body (Liposuction, breast lift, tummy tuck, arm lift)
• Lower body (Liposuction, butt lift, thigh lift, lower body lift)

COMMON BODY PARTS?

Common body parts that may need skin reduction surgery include the abdomen, buttocks, upper thighs, breasts, arms and neck. The breasts and abdomen are among two of the most popular areas addressed. A large majority of individuals will address the breasts (with a breast lift), and the tummy (with a tummy tuck) in a single surgery. As you lose weight, you will notice which areas are most concerning, and you can begin discussing cosmetic surgery with your plastic surgeon.

BEST TIMING?

Most plastic surgeons require patients to be at or near their goal weight before moving forward with this surgery. However, this isn’t always the case. Sometimes, removing the loose skin is all it takes to accelerate the loss of the final pounds—especially if the loose skin is getting in the way of exercise and mobility.

WILL INSURANCE COVER THE COST?

In most cases, no. Insurance companies consider this surgery to be cosmetic, and they usually do not cover any of the surgical expenses. However, each surgical case is different and may have a special circumstance. Our billing coordinator works to provide accurate estimates and thoroughly checks the benefits of each provider. 

Dr. Abell is proud to be a member of the following societies:

• American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)
• American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS)
• American Association for Hand Surgery (AAHS)
• American College of Surgeons (FACS)
• Southeastern Society of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeons (SESPRS)

A native of Elizabethton, Tennessee Dr. Abell, his wife, and two daughters have made a comfortable home here in Georgia. Outside of the office, Dr. Abell’s interests include photography, hiking, cycling, playing the guitar, and sports of all kinds.