The Florida Society of Plastic Surgeons

Surgery After Massive Weight Loss
in Florida

Losing weight—especially with advancing age, menopause, or a busy lifestyle—can be challenging. While diet and exercise help, many turn to bariatric surgery (like gastric bypass or sleeve) or medications (such as Ozempic or Wegovy). Significant weight loss, often called massive weight loss, often leads to excess skin and soft tissue which can be treated with multiple procedures tailored to your specific needs.

surgery after massive weight loss models on florida beach

Amy Simon, MD

What is a surgery after massive weight loss?

The reward of a transformed body and better health after massive weight loss is also accompanied by often significant excess skin and a deflated or even aged appearance of sagging tissue laxity. Patients notice hanging skin on various areas of the body, and loss of the youthful appearance that adipose tissue brings to the face (“Ozempic face”). Surgery after massive weight loss addresses this issue through various procedures.

The first areas of concern are typically the body areas– midsection and breasts, which can be addressed with a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), breast lift with or without augmentation, breast reduction, and even liposuction. Next might be arms, back, thighs, and gluteal area. These can be addressed with arm lift (brachioplasty), thigh lift, skin excision around the “bra line” area for the back, and lower body/gluteal lift with or without liposuction and fat transfer to the gluteal area (BBL, “Brazilian Butt Lift”).

Massive weight loss can affect the appearance of the face as well, as the adipose (fatty tissue) that contributes to the youthful plump appearance of the face and cheeks (noted as “baby face” in our younger years) is depleted with weight loss much as it is in aging. This is compounded by the same type of sagging skin laxity in the face, jawline and neck that occurs with age. Sometimes referred to as “Ozempic face,” these issues can be addressed with various facial procedures such as face and necklift, fat transfer, and even blepharoplasty (eyelid lift).

These procedures are often combined and can be staged for optimal results and safety. Incisions and recovery will depend on the specific procedures performed.

Find A Surgeon

View Gallery

Benefits of a Surgery After Massive Weight Loss

Removal of excess sagging skin
Stretch marks located within the skin that is removed will therefore also be removed
Breasts: Improvement of proportion/size, shape, and nipple location
Abdomen/midsection: Removal of overhanging tummy (pannus), tightening of abdominal muscles
Liposuction and fat transfer: Fine tuning of shape, contour, and volume
Facial procedures: Removal of sagging skin and restoration of youthful volume
Clothing and bathing suits fit better
Removing skin and restoring volume helps massive weight loss patients enjoy the results of their efforts with a healthier, more youthful appearance overall

Who Is an Ideal Candidate?

Patients with massive weight loss, regardless of method, who are in good health with a stable weight, are ideal candidates for surgery after massive weight loss. Smoking/vaping/nicotine of any kind should all be avoided. It is best to meet with your FSPS surgeon to discuss all the options and planning for procedures to best address your goals.

The Procedure Process

Initial Consultation

Your FSPS member plastic surgeon will review your anatomy, goals, and general health history. Risks, benefits, and alternatives will be discussed. Your questions will be answered. Your specific concerns and goals will be discussed to plan your procedure(s), as there are numerous options for surgery after massive weight loss.

Day of Surgery

Your surgeon will mark anatomical areas and incisions in the preop area prior to your surgery. The procedures planned will be reviewed again. Anesthesia and incisions will vary with the patient’s needs. The surgeon will remove excess skin, and reshape and lift the remaining tissue as appropriate for each procedure.

Immediate Aftercare

You will wake up in the recovery area wearing a postop compression garment. Depending on your individual procedures, you may go home the same day or stay overnight. You will have detailed postop care instructions.

Follow-Up Visits

You will have scheduled followup visits to monitor your healing and recovery. Attending all postop visits and following all instructions is very important in your recovery.

Recovery and Aftercare

Downtime will vary greatly depending on the procedure(s) performed. You are expected to be walking at least around the house the day of surgery. No heavy lifting or strenuous activity for 4-6 weeks or longer, again depending on the procedures. Postop discomfort can be decreased if your surgeon recommends a long acting local anesthetic. Wear your postop compression or garment as instructed.

Results: What to Expect

Surgery after massive weight loss can bring a very nice improvement to the appearance of sagging skin and volume loss in certain areas after losing a large amount of weight. At first, you may feel generally tight. Swelling may occur the first few days, and then decrease slowly over time. While an immediate improvement is often noticed, the final result can take months to really appreciate.

Gallery

View Gallery

Risks and Considerations

The same risks as many other surgeries apply to having surgery after massive weight loss, including scarring, infection, healing issues, bleeding, and fluid collection under the skin. It is very important to follow your postop instructions and communicate with your FSPS surgeon to help minimize complications.

Why Choose an FSPS Member Plastic Surgeon?

Certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery
Specialized training and extensive experience in facial rejuvenation
Commitment to safety and outstanding patient outcomes
Convenient locations throughout Florida

Frequently Asked Questions About Surgery After Massive Weight Loss

Since the individual needs and procedures may vary greatly, the costs can’t be estimated without a consultation. It is wise to meet with your FSPS plastic surgeon to determine costs, which will depend on your overall situation, goals, and procedures.

No. Surgeries after massive weight loss are cosmetic procedures, and therefore not covered by insurance.

On very rare occasions, removing ONLY large overhanging abdominal skin (pannus), called a panniculectomy, may be covered ONLY if there is a functional deficit due to a severe physical deformity or disfigurement resulting from the pannus, AND it interferes with activities of daily living (per insurance company jargon). In other words, if you’re walking around doing your normal everyday activities, you do not qualify.

Plastic surgeons that have been practicing many years will attest that insurance companies were much more likely to cover such procedures many years ago, but their requirements have become basically impossible for reasonably healthy patients to qualify today. This can be confusing for patients, who may call their insurance/Medicare and be told that it is “covered,” when the reality is that the lengthy list of health-related qualifications rule all reasonably healthy individuals out of such “coverage.”

Therefore, the reality is these are cosmetic procedures NOT covered by insurance.

Walking every few hours, at least around the house, is required the day of surgery. Non-strenuous activity is permitted within hours of surgery, subject to certain limitations unique to each procedure. No heavy lifting or vigorous exercise for 4–6 weeks, or as instructed by your surgeon.

For surgery after massive weight loss, improvement is evident for most procedures immediately after surgery, due to the nature of removing large amounts of excess skin. Because the skin that is remaining was stretched usually for many years when the patient was heavier, the skin laxity dictates that results do not generally stay as tight as immediately after surgery. However, with maintenance of weight, patients can enjoy their results for years.

Related Procedures & Treatments

Serving Florida Communities Statewide

FSPS surgeons proudly serve patients across Florida, including Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Miami, Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, Sarasota, Gainesville and beyond.

What Should I Do Next?

Schedule a consultation with an FSPS member and discover how surgery after massive weight loss can help you feel more confident in your skin.

Find a Surgeon

Surgery After Massive Weight Loss in Florida