After Weight Loss Surgery – Newport Beach

Typically after losing a substantial amount of weight, the skin and tissue lack the necessary elasticity to conform to the new body size. This causes the unsupported skin to sag and cause friction and irritation. Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Marguerite Bernett, in Irvine, seeks to help patients celebrate their new body by removing the extra unwanted and uncomfortable skin through surgery. If you have sagging and stretched skin left behind after a major weight loss, after weight loss surgery may be a viable option for you. Contact Dr. Bernett at one of her California offices to schedule a consultation and discuss how this treatment might benefit you.

When the body loses fat, certain areas may not shrink smaller along with the weight loss. For most patients, surgery is the only option to remove the skin deformity. The typical symptoms or conditions that result form a massive weight loss that can be treated with surgery include:

• Sagging breasts that point downward
• “Turtle neck” or flabby skin near the neck
• Excess, hanging skin or pockets of fat around the abdomen or hips
• Sagging skin and excess fat or wrinkling around the buttocks
• “Bat wings” or sagging skin underneath the upper arms
• Sagging skin and excess fat on the thigh and upper leg region

Many surgeons recommend a combination of procedures for a tighter, more youthful appearance. Doctors do this to increase the chances of seeing optimal results for many years to come. A few possible combinations of how surgeons combine surgeries may comprise of an upper body lift, which addresses the arms, breasts, neck and abdomen, or a lower body lift, which addresses the abdomen, buttock, hips and thighs.

After weight loss surgery is a serious procedure taking around 4-7 hours on average to complete, although the number varies widely due to the patients unique needs and goals. It is performed under general anesthesia and usually requires an overnight stay in the hospital. Scarring is an inevitable part of this surgery, but our talented surgeon uses the latest scar treatment methods to help minimize this as much as possible. For many individuals, after weight loss surgery provides results that are so positive, they are life transforming.

After weight loss surgery is typically a grouping of procedures that allow the costs to vary widely depending on the surgeries chosen and the nature of the surgical case. The average cost for after weight loss surgery is around $10,000-$15,000, but is in no form standard across the board for patients.

The most common areas for significant transformation of beauty are seen in the breasts and abdominal area, typically performed during the same surgery. This is sometimes called a Mommy Makeover. In addition, the buttocks, upper thighs, arms, neck, and knees are also common areas treated.

Due to the scope of the procedure, our team recommends that patients need to be close to or have already achieved their ideal reachable weight. However, there are times where taking away excess skin serves as a catalyst to the weight loss process. This is the case when sagging or annoying skin stands in the way of the patient’s workouts or other physical movement.

As a generality, insurance companies typically do not reimburse clients for the expenses tied to a cosmetic surgery. Our billing coordinator works hard to give accurate assessments of surgical cost as well as thoroughly exploring if insurance can cover any of the cost. Sometimes, insurance will cover the cost for cosmetic surgeries where excess skin becomes a medical issue.

Even after significant weight loss, your journey is often far from complete due to excessive and hanging skin over various parts of the body. To effectively get rid of this skin and to complete your look, after weight loss surgery is often needed. Since every patient has different needs, our medical staff works with you each step of the way to ensure that all of your goals are met and you look the best that you can possibly look. Give our office a call today to schedule a consultation.