I had Gastric bypass surgery about 8 years ago and lost 100lbs. Since then, I’ve experienced “loose skin”…EVERYWHERE!! I hate it!! I’m just as self conscious in clothes as I was 100 pounds ago. I’d like a complete body lift but that is definitely NOT in my budget. I’ve been considering mesotherapy or some other non surgical alternative on my arms because I’d like to at least feel comfortable in short sleeves (since the lower half of my body is a DEFINITE case of “nip/tuck”). I’m looking to tighten the skin, I’m sure I could afford to rid my arms of some fat, but primarily it’s the loose skin I’d like to focus on. Any recommendations? Experiences? Comments?
Non Surgical Skin Tightening for Arms?
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Thank you for your question and congratulations on your weight loss! Many patients like yourself get the health benefits of weight loss via bariatric surgery or diet and exercise only to be left with a lot of loose skin that negatively impacts body image. As you are aware, excision of excess skin such as a body lift, arm lift, thigh lift, etc. are the most effective options for this problem. Unfortunately non-invasive skin tightening treatments have not advanced enough to treat this problem without surgery. There is no evidence that mesotherapy helps with skin tightening. I would caution you about looking for in-expensive non-surgical alternatives to treat this problmem. You are likely to be dissappointed with the results and lose your hard earned money. Most weight loss patients save their money for the procedures and also use home equity lines of credit to finance them. This is also tax deductable. Good luck on your journey!
Web reference: http://www.bitarinstitute.com/arm-lift/
After massive weight loss, the degree of excess skin and loss of elasticity can only be improved with excisional surgery. There really is no other way to make any real change.
The best plan would be to keep your weight down, meet with an excellent plastic surgeon and plan a long term program for total body improvement stage by stage and budget for it. You can direct the plan according to which areas bother you most and get these done first.
Following the massive weight loss, what is remaining is skin and not fat. The only option left is to remove that skin surgicaly. Minimal skin excess could be handled by some non surgical techniques like radio frequency.
Web reference: http://newportplastic.com/
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Many patients have an unreasonable aversion to surgery in these cases whereas the truth is that it is the most successful method of treatment. Financial issues aside - skin tightening tecniques are very effective for these problems. You will be dissapointed with non surgical "experimental" treatments.
Minimally invasive skin tightening simply doesn't, unfortunately, offer the amount of tightening massive weight loss patients need.
Of the different types of arm lifts, there are lifts performed in the armpit crease and lifts that extend down the arm.
For more severe problems, the lift with an incision extending down the arm provides the best solution (since it decreases the circumference).
The trade-off is a scar and nice arms vs. no scar but excess skin in the arms, so patients should talk to their plastic surgeon about each of these options. The incisions on the arms do take a while to heal, but patients who are carefully selected are almost uniformly happy with the results.
Congratulations on your weight loss! As you have noted the skin and soft tissues do not often shrink to conform to your new healthier body. There are not any nonsurgical options for tightening the skin after massive weight loss that will provide significant benefits. I suggest you have a consultation with an experienced board certified plastic surgeon and develop a plan to improve your areas of concern. Most surgeons will provide some sort of financing to help with the costs. Although the fees may be significant you will have life long improvement in your contour and higher self esteem.
Web reference: http://www.virginiaplasticsurgery.com/body-contouring/arm-lift.cfm
After losing 100 lbs, you will require skin removal from your arms for optimal results. It is unlikely non-surgical treatments will help. You should consult with an expert in arm lift surgery.
After the massive weight loss that you have experienced, the loose skin on your arms is expected. The elastic properties of the skin are diminished. The best (and only realistic) method for tightening the arms involves arm lift surgery. This is a great procedure for contouring your arms and recovery is quick. You can buy and wear blouses without having the arms too tight. I recommend discussing this with your plastic surgeon
You have certainly done well to keep the weight off. There are some non invasive options for skin tightening but they do not tighten well enough for the kind of loose skin most patients have after weight loss. Those procedures are designed more for toning and building collagen than actually tightening loose skin. Surgery is definitely the best option and I would not spend money on the other treatments.
After massive weight loss, your best option is surgery to excess all the excessive skin and give you the tight look you want. Lasers may improve some of the looseness, but usually not in someone who has lost over a hundred pounds. I would suggest finding a board certified plastic surgeon in your area and discuss your options. If a plastic surgery training program is in your area, you might discuss surgery with them . Many programs do offer reduced prices for surgery. You still will be in good hands since the surgical residents are supervised by board certified plastic surgeons, and most have completed 5 years of general surgery training as well.
These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.
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