5’2”, 125lbs, 64, options for sagging arm & lower stomach after weight loss? (Photos)

Hello bevkeller. Thank you for your question regarding the options for addressing sagging arms and lower stomach after weight loss.

Due to your age, genetics, and history of 70-pound weight loss, your skin will not bounce back on its own. Unfortunately, no matter how much you exercise or diet, the skin will not tighten without surgical intervention. Since you have excess skin and fat, the skin needs to be surgically removed. Liposuction alone will only remove fat and not tighten the skin, so a more comprehensive procedure is necessary.

You need a tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty. This can be combined with, or staged with, an arm reduction, arm lift, or brachioplasty. During a tummy tuck, an incision is placed low on the abdomen and extended to your hips. The skin of the lower abdomen is removed, the pubic region is raised, reduced, and flattened. Additionally, the rectus abdominis muscle is tightened, and the belly button is repositioned.

For your arms, arm liposuction can be performed, and at the same time, an incision is made from the armpit to the elbow. Excess skin and fat of the upper arm are thus removed. The tummy tuck will require a drain for approximately 10 to 14 days, while arm reduction surgery does not require drains.

Your tummy tuck surgery should take approximately 3 to 5 hours to complete, and your arm lift should take approximately 3 to 4 hours to complete. Both procedures are performed under general anesthesia under the guidance of an anesthesiologist and can be done on an outpatient basis.

Good luck. When seeking plastic surgery procedures after massive weight loss, please seek a plastic surgery specialist in the field. There are plastic surgeons who specialize in weight loss patients.

Sincerely,

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FASMBS, FICS

Dear bevkeller,
it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. Based on your photos, it looks like you would need tummy tuck and arm lift. If you are considering surgery, I would suggest you consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination, you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Thank you for your question and congratulations on your hard work and weight loss. Based on these photos, it appears that you would be a good candidate for an arm lift (brachioplasty) and a tummy tuck with liposuction. You also want to be medically optimized prior to any surgical procedure. Your plastic surgeon will likely require a pre op clearance prior to surgery. Good luck!

Well hooray you- nice work! From what I can see, I would recommend the following:
1. Tummy tuck and liposuction of your torso
2. Add some of the liposuctioned fat to your buttocks and hips.
3. Wait a few months and you'll see that your arms will sag even more
4. An arm lift may be necessary for the loose skin in the upper arm
5. Any residual loose skin may need non-surgical skin tightening with devices such as Morpheus or Ellacor

If you can't find a board certified plastic surgeon in your area, then call our office 847-853-9900 and consider an in-person visit at some point. Best Wishes!!

Congratulations on your weight loss! In person exam is essential, as well as review of standard photos. Based on limited photos - and the history of weight loss- you may benefit from abdominoplasty and brachioplasty. I suggest that you seek an experienced Board Certified PS and review your options

Congratulations on your weight loss. It is very common after weight loss to have excess unwanted skin. It appears that you may benefit from a lateral hip extended abdominoplasty and potentially brachioplasty. An in-person consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon will lead you to more information and a surgical plan. Good luck on your skin removal journey.

Hello and thank you for your question. Congratulations on your 70lbs weight loss. That is a big accomplishment. Based on your two limited photographs, you appear to be a good candidate for a tummy tuck. I recommend that you seek consultation with a qualified board-certified plastic surgeon who can evaluate you in person.

Best wishes and good luck.

Richard G. Reish, M.D.
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

the solution for the arms is simple: an arm lift. For the belly, although a tummy tuck would do the trick, your laxity is circumferential around your body. You could direct a surgeon to stop short of a lower body lift though, if you really wanted.

Hi, thank you for sharing your question. Due to the massive weight loss, you have developed skin laxity. This can be treated with an arm lift and an abdominoplasty. A formal evaluation would be needed to determine the best plan

You would benefit from an abdominoplasty and brachioplasty and can be done simultaneously.. You may also benefit from a circumferential lift.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.