Beyond The Tummy Tuck: 3 Cosmetic Procedures To Help You Banish Excess Skin

A tummy tuck is often thought of as the major approach to removing excess skin. However, after a significant weight loss, there are usually other areas of excess skin you want to remove beyond your lower abdomen. There are other cosmetic procedures to sculpt your abdomen and other areas.

Reverse Tummy Tuck

When you gain weight in your mid-section, you might gain inches above your belly button. Although some people are able to achieve a flatter abdomen with only the standard tummy tuck, there are people who are left with residual fat and skin that sags over their belly button. If you want to remove excess upper abdominal skin, but want to avoid an unsightly, longitudinal incision, a reverse tummy tuck is a better option.

A reverse tummy tuck is typically a separate operation performed once you recover from the standard tummy tuck. Two separate procedures to target the upper and lower abdomen are more work and recovery time than a tummy tuck using  a longitudinal incision. However, the scars and results are usually better. For women, the upper abdominal scar is easily hidden under your bra, while the lower abdominal scar is covered by your underwear.

Body Lift

A body lift is typically performed during a tummy tuck if you need to reduce sagging skin on other areas of your body simultaneously. Your cosmetic surgeon will make an incision all the way around your body, beginning under your lower abdomen. Since the incision is low on the body, under the abdomen and on the lower back, it is easily hidden by undergarments and swimwear. During the procedure, your surgeon will remove excess fat and skin. The remaining skin above the incision is pull downward, while the skin below the incision is pulled upward. Some of the excess skin on your back and thighs can be tightened using this method.

Bra Line Back Lift

The bra line back lift is another option to remove excess skin that remains on the upper back after a significant weight loss. For women, the incision is easily hidden by your bra. Your surgeon will make the incision along the bra line on your back. Once excess skin is removed, the two sides are joined together to create a smooth appearance. This is the ideal procedure for the unflattering "back fat" or "bra bulge" and can work when liposuction is not enough to eliminate the problem.

If you were significantly overweight and finally reached your weight loss goals, it can be disheartening to feel like all your work was in vain when you are left with loose skin. Fortunately, there are many cosmetic procedures available to help you trade in your loose skin for a few, hidden scars. Contact a local surgeon, like Body Spectrum Plastic Surgery Center - Bruce R Barton MD, for more information.