I Lost 100 Pounds. Now I Have Loose Skin, Stretch Marks, Love Handles. Recommendations? (photo)

To Whom It May Concern:

Congratulations on your significant weight loss.  You should be very proud of what you have achieved.  I would strongly suggest continuing to lose weight as much as possible.  I would not listen too much to your siblings regarding weight loss.  Based on your anticipated further weight loss, I would suggest you undergo a 360 body lift.  This will eliminate excess skin and fat from the abdomen, hips, and buttocks.  If you just did a tummy tuck it would not eliminate the excess skin and fat of the lateral hips nor buttock regions.
Congratulations again on your weight loss and good luck on completing your weight loss journey.

Thank you,

It's not unusual for patients to have loose lower abdominal skin following a 100 pound weight loss. This is often accompanied by stubborn areas of fat and loose skin in the flank areas as well. When this situation arises,  patients frequently hit a wall and are unable to lose further weight. At this point, it's appropriate to proceed with massive weight loss surgery. Based on your history, I believe you have reached this point.A variety of surgical options currently exist to address these issues. The specific procedure chosen will depend upon your anatomic findings, aesthetic goals, social situation and employment. Although your pictures are helpful, it's impossible to make a final recommendation without a physical examination. However, based on the available information, I suspect that you would benefit from a body lift procedure.This procedure would circumferentially remove excess skin and fat and simultaneously lift the buttocks in an upward direction. It would also address lower abdominal stretch marks. It would dramatically improve the contour and aesthetics of the trunk region.If you're considering massive weight loss surgery, it's important to consult a board certified plastic surgeon with experience in this area. This surgeon should be able to formulate a treatment plan that addresses your anatomic findings and achieves your aesthetic goals.

It is always difficult when a photograph shows only limited hanging skin (abdomen).  I am sure that the skin is loose all the way around your torso.  If that is the case, then a 360 degree "belt lipectomy" may be your best option.  This skin-excising operation will tighten and lift the loose skin of the abdomen, pubis, front of the thighs, flanks, buttocks, and lower back.  Contouring the waist by liposuction can also help achieving great results.  Best of luck!

Congratulations of your weight loss.  You will most likely benefit the most from either an extended tummy tuck (+/- liposuction of your waist/flanks) or a circumferential body lift.   My procedural recommendation would depend on your goals (what areas bother you the most) and your physical exam findngs (location and distribution of your excess skin).   Please visit with a board certified ASPS member surgeon to learn more about your options.Best of luck!

Dr.Basu

Houston, TX

You are at your ideal weight for your height. Your BMI is 23, normal.

You are ready for body sculpting. Extended abdominoplasty , may be circumferential lift, plus liposuction to mefine the abdomen and waist.

After a person has lost over 100 lbs there is usually excess skin and fat.   To address these excesses  one might consider a tummy tuck , liposuction or even a lower body lift.   To help decide which of these procedures would be best for you -  here are some clarifications.  A tummy tuck addresses only the front of the abdomen.  In general the improvement is seen only as far back as a line drawn straight down from the front of the  armpits.   The excess skin and fat is lifted up , pulled down and cut off.   This smooths out the skin and fat of the front of the abdomen and leaves a scar around the belly button and from hip bone to hip bone.  A lower body lift in many ways is a tummy tuck for the front and the back. The scar goes all the way around the body and removes a "tire " of excess skin and fat  around the entire lower trunk.   Liposuction only removes excess fat and does not address any excess skin but can in weight loss patients be helpful for pockets of fat (love handles) that are not addressed with a tummy tuck.

Men do have tummy tucks and lipo, especially after they have lost 100lbs. The scar falls in the underpant area and your stomach looks much better after.

Good job! That's a major accomplishment to loose that much weight. We do quite a lot of body contouring on patients with massive weight loss and they all ask the same question..."Should I lose more weight?"  Remember there is a fat layer under your skin that you cannot lose, but that will be removed with surgery. Your photos look like you are ready for the next step, the surgery. In our practice I would recommend a tummy tuck that goes completely around the trunk, down low where it is easily hidden by clothing or swim wear. That will take care of those extra inches you mentioned and you will be quite pleased by the results of the surgery. Just make sure you seek out a surgeon that is very experienced in this procedure, and of course certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

Congratulations on the weight loss and more important step in preserving your life. 100 lbs is very significant and rightfully is the cause of your skin excess. There is one good answer.... Skin excision. The scar will be low but should travel around to your posterior hips. This piece of skin will weigh about 3-5 pounds and the scar will take about 1 to 1.5 years to fade. This type of surgery has a higher morbidity. Skin infections, seromas, healing difficulties, and hematoma are the most common. Drains will be used post operatively to aid in your recovery. Expect to be on the mend for 6 weeks or longer and your results should be noticeable and worthy of the cost.  Losing additional weight will not affect this surgery. Good nutrition post operatively will be important.Good Luck