How much should I weigh to be eligible for skin removal surgery?

Hello, and thank you for your question regarding eligibility for skin removal surgery. Congratulations on your 75-pound weight loss—that is an incredible achievement!

I recommend you be at or very close to their goal weight before undergoing skin removal surgery. While there is no set weight requirement, the lower your frame is, the better your results will be.

More importantly than a specific weight, stability is key. Most plastic surgeons require that you maintain a stable weight for at least 3 months before surgery. This ensures that your body is in a balanced state and that your post-surgical results will be long-lasting. If you continue to lose significant weight after surgery, you may develop new loose skin, which could lead to the need for additional revisions.

Since you are 18 years old, your skin may have better elasticity compared to older patients, but if you already have significant loose skin, weight loss alone will not correct it. A lower body lift, arm lift (brachioplasty), and thigh lift are common procedures for addressing loose skin in the areas you described.

I recommend continuing with your weight loss goals until you reach a comfortable, maintainable weight and consulting with an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in post-weight-loss body contouring. Many plastic surgeons offer virtual consultations where they can assess your case and provide guidance on when the best time for surgery would be.

Good luck, and I hope this helps answer your question regarding the ideal weight for skin removal surgery!

Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen

I would base the safety of undergoing surgery on your BMI (body mass index). This takes into effect your height and weight. You can find a BMI calculator online. Best case scenario is less than 30, however I accept patients less than 35 after having a frank discussion about risks and the different ways to limit them! Also a stable weight of 3-6 months is recommended.

Thanks for your question, Miad, and congratulations on your weight loss.  Ideally, we like patients to be as close to their realistic goal weight as possible, and maintain that weight for several months prior to surgery.  Premature surgery is to be avoided.  Significant weight loss after surgery can produce recurrent skin laxity and compromise the results of the procedure.  Best of luck with your continued efforts.

Your height along with pictures or an exam would be necessary to help provide recommendations.Kenneth Hughes, MDBeverly Hills, CA

Congratulations on the weight loss. It is quite the accomplishment!Body contouring after weight loss like yours is best initiated when you are close to your goal weight and have been stable at that weight for 3-6 months. While you continue to lose weight your body will undergo changes where you will see loss of the fat compartments and deflation of the skin. As a result, you will notice loss of skin elasticity and redundant soft tissue. An ideal BMI for such procedures would be below 35.Best of luck with your continued weight loss! 

Dear miad,

The removal of unwanted skin either
from the abdomen, arms, inner thigh and neck is usually not weight
related. If one is in the process of
losing weight then getting to a stable weight prior to surgery is important as
losing more weight will result in more laxity.
If one is gaining weight then one needs to lose weight prior to considering
surgery. Most surgeons want patients to
be within 20-30 pounds of their ideal body weight. Ideally, get down to your ideal body weight
before deciding to remove excess skin, but most importantly be at a weight that
is stable.

Skin removal procedures can be
surgical and non-surgical or waiting for surgical excision non-surgical skin
tightening techniques using bulk heating and radio frequency devices such as
Venus Freeze, the VelaShape, Forma Plus and Exilis is commonly performed
at my centre prior to leading up to a skin excision surgery or even instead of
one.

Best of luck and I’m sure you’ll get
an excellent result.

R. Stephen Mulholland, M.D.

Certified Plastic Surgeon

Yorkville, Toronto