How would you combine/prioritize procedures for body contouring after massive weightloss? What's the timeframe overall? (Photo)

Congrats on your accomplishment. The excess skin removal could be the last step to complete your journey and enjoy the "new you."The goal in reconstruction after weight loss is to safely correct as many issues as possible in the fewest number of surgeries. This means less downtime, less time away from work, less exposure to anesthesia, fewer recovery days, lower risk of blood clots, etc.In order to do this you will need a team experienced in post-bariatric reconstruction so that these longer surgeries can be done in a coordinated and efficient manner. And be done in the proper venue. In my opinion, an office or surgicenter is not the place for these longer surgeries with higher risk profiles.That said, here is my usual manner of staging these surgeries. Stage 1 is usually lower body lift which fixes tummy, pubic area, front of legs, back of legs, buttock (possibly with a procedure to add fullness)  and muscle laxity plus lipo as needed.  Breast lift with or without implants is then done. Stage 2 is then arms and inner thighs along with touch ups from Stage 1. I have found that thigh lifts do a lot better when the abdomen has already been tightened.  Also, revisiting a breast lift 6 months later often is a nice chance to perfect and further refine the result.   Best wishes !

Hello, thank you for your questions prioritizing and combining procedures for body contouring after massive weight loss.  Basically, I prioritize based upon what bothers you the most. Since you did not prioritize the areas that bother you the most, I will give you the most common scenario for my weight loss patients. Basically, I divide most significant weight-loss patient’s surgeries into two stages: the lower body and upper body. The lower body in your case would consist of a 360 circumferential lower body lift; this would take care of the abdomen, hips and buttock. I would suggest during your 360 circumferential lower body that a dermal flap be used to reconstruct your buttock. That means your own buttock tissue is used to flip down into the buttock to achieve buttock auto-augmentation. During your 360-circumferential body lift, your hips will be raised and reduced and your abdomen flattened. During your 360-circumferential lower body lift, the rectus abdominis muscles will be sown tightly and excess skin and fat will be removed. If you wish, during a 360-circumferential lower body lift, a medial thigh lift/reduction can be performed. You did not provide pictures of this area so I assume it does not concern you. One month later, I would then suggest a formal brachioplasty which includes arm liposuction and in your case, an incision from the armpit to the elbow. During the second stage with your arms, I would also suggest an anchor breast lift or mastopexy. This would raise your breast. Therefore, I would divide your surgeries into two surgeries. First stage: the 360 circumferential lower body lift with a dermal flap for gluteal or buttock auto-augmentation. Second stage: approximately one month later, an arm lift/reduction (brachioplasty) and a breast lift (mastopexy) . The total time frame for both surgeries would be approximately 2-3 months of healing. I hope this helps to answer your question of how to combine and prioritize procedures after massive weight loss. If you have any more questions regarding reconstructive surgery after massive weight loss, please contact my office. Reconstructive surgeries after massive weight loss include an abdominoplasty, tummy tuck, thigh lift, breast lift, mastopexy, arm lift, brachioplasty, torsoplasty, back lift, buttock augmentation, and buttock lift. Since these reconstructive surgeries after massive weight loss, are big procedures, please seek an experienced, board certified plastic surgeon with significant experience performing these types of lifts. Do your research. Make sure they have performed at least 100 of each procedure you are considering for reconstructive surgery after massive weight loss. Make sure they have the before and after pictures to prove it. Carefully examine their before and after pictures and check their reviews on RealSelf.  Sincerely, Dr. Katzen. (“Verified” Plastic Surgeon, President of the American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Fellow of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American College of Surgery, International College of Surgery, and American Board of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, and ​member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and RealSelf Hall of Fame.)

If you ask 5 different board certified plastic surgeons you are likely to get 5 different answers for the same question. Finding the right balance between the art and science of plastic surgery is perhaps the greatest when performing body contouring procedures. In general, pick what bothers you most and combine it with areas that complement it or at minimum, do not impact recovery for the area you are most concerned about. It sounds like you are a good candidate with 2 years of stable weight. While there is no right answer, it is best to choose your surgeon based on what they can offer and how well they are able to meet your desired goals.

Best of luck on your journey!!

Kristi Hustak, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon