Post-Bariatric Body Contouring in Austin and Lakeway

a man without a shirt on with his hands up toward his head

What is post-bariatric body contouring?

However you lost a significant amount of weight, the loss of excess pounds may have left you with loose, hanging skin and tissue – and it gets in the way, both in your lifestyle, and in your feelings of self-confidence. The stretched skin has led to a loss of elasticity, preventing the skin from “snapping” back. The only effective way to deal with this problem is surgery, to remove the excess tissue with a body lift. Body lifts are cosmetic surgery procedures intended to shape and tone the abdomen, buttocks, thighs, and breasts.

The body lift procedure – What will it entail?

A lower body lift (belt lipectomy) involves the tummy, the thighs, buttocks, and back, while an upper body lift focuses primarily on the breasts, chest, and middle back areas. If lower and upper body lifts are combined, the procedure is known as a total body lift. With a total body lift, the surgeries may be broken up into two surgeries, as the risks tend to increase when multiple surgeries are performed at the same time. Dr. Michelle Cabret will develop a clear plan to help you achieve your body contouring goals.

Why choose us for post-bariatric body contouring in Lakeway?

You have achieved your weight loss goal, a major achievement for your look, and your overall health, and we congratulate you! The final step in the process is removing the remaining skin and tissue that gets in the way when exercising, and you may feel you must hide with loose clothing. When under the care of Dr. Michelle Cabret, you can expect concierge-style service in her state-of-the-art facility, which is equipped with an onsite outpatient surgery center.

“Beauty and Wellness Perfected”

Dr. Cabret takes a holistic approach to surgery and believes that beauty and wellness go hand in hand. Her precision approach, over two decades in private practice, and her focus on you, as an individual, will make your journey to the body you want positive, empowering, and supportive, from start to finish.

Candidates for bariatric body contouring and body lift surgery

The best candidate for a body lift has maintained a stable weight for a minimum of three months – preferably six months to a year – and should be participating in a healthy exercise and dietary program.

Candidates who have had gastric bypass, Lap-Band or other gastric restrictive procedures should wait at least one year after weight loss surgery so that the common health problems associated with obesity have had time to improve.

Patients must undergo pre-surgical medical clearance for elective skin removal surgery by their primary care physicians to ensure that these procedures are performed under the most ideal conditions.

After a body lift – What to expect?

Body lifts are major surgical procedures and require significant recovery time. Pain and discomfort are first managed with intravenous or intramuscular medications, and later with oral pain medication. Drainage tubes are inserted, which will require personal home care for up to two weeks. These tubes can be safely removed when the output of drainage fluid is low. Dr. Michelle Cabret will provide you with a medical compression garment to wear at all times except while bathing. Dressings are generally removed two days after surgery and showering is allowed at that time.

What is the recovery time after a body lift?

Most people require four to six weeks’ recovery before returning to normal activities, and generally from six to eight weeks before exercising. There cannot be any pressure placed on the treated area. Approximately 75 percent of the swelling dissipates at six weeks and 90 percent at three months.

Does a body lift leave scars?

Bariatric body contouring and body lift surgeries tend to produce significant scars that are typically very well tolerated due to the dramatic improvement in appearance and ability to get around without the hanging skin interfering. To treat all the areas desired may involve multiple procedures.

Scarring from any incision is unavoidable and scars tend to mature at about six to twelve months post-operatively. In rare instances, scar revision procedures may be necessary. In most cases, in a non-surgical fashion, scars can be improved with fractional lasering techniques (Active FX) and/or Intense Pulse Light (IPL) techniques.

Schedule your consultation today!

For more information on post bariatric body contouring and body lifts, contact Austin Cosmetic Surgery today! We are honored to be chosen to perform this final step in the weight loss journey for patients in Austin, Lakeway, Bee Cave, Barton Creek, Spicewood, and the surrounding areas. Dr. Cabret is also honored to serve patients in and beyond Scottsdale, AZ.