“The results are typically great and patients who undergo significant body contouring are highly satisfied. The procedure removes about four kilograms of tissue on average, depending on the patient. The most excess skin we have removed during this procedure so far was eight kilograms from a patient who had lost 70 kilograms (started at 170 kilograms and a height of 172 centimeters),” comments M.D. Lukáš Frajer from Perfect Clinic, one of the few plastic surgeons in the Czech Republic who performs this extensive surgical procedure.
Thanks to the aggressive fight against obesity in society and the associated rise in surgical treatment of obesity, more and more patients have managed to reduce their weight by 20-50%. Let’s say you lose 40-90 kilograms. That’s great, right? Indeed it is, but you might be surprised to find that while your weight is now within “normal” limits, you still have a great deal of loose skin that no amount of diet or exercise can eliminate. And that is where plastic surgery can help you lead the life you want after successful weight loss.
“Whether patients lose weight through diet and exercise or undergo bariatric surgery for weight loss, they are typically left with loose skin that does not shrink to accommodate the reduction in fat and subcutaneous tissue,” states plastic surgeon Lukáš Frajer, adding: “Gravity makes the skin sag and fold, which many patients find unsightly and which may prevent them from living a full life. They successfully lost weight, but many feel self-conscious and unable to fully enjoy life due to extra skin that won’t go away.”
A lower body lift is a good option for anyone wanting to get rid of skin folds and excess skin after weight loss. Patients may find it difficult to find appropriate undergarments or they may experience rash, irritation, yeast infections or poor self-image. Patients should have reached their final weight and maintained it for at least six months before having the procedure.
“This procedure involves circular removal of excess skin from the trunk. We almost always need to carefully draw in the operating field before the procedure, and an experienced surgeon is critical here, because poorly planned skin removal can lead to major complications. The procedure is similar to other procedures that involve removing skin, like abdominoplasty (tummy tuck).
“The operation usually lasts 3-4 hours, and afterwards the patient is moved to a monitored bed in an intermediate care unit. Most patients stay in the hospital 4-5 days, while the recovery period lasts 5-6 weeks due to the extent of the procedure. The auxiliary stitches on the sides are removed after 2-3 weeks, and the rest of the stitches dissolve on their own. Our patients return to their normal lives within two months,” concludes M.D. Lukáš Frajer.
The operation offers permanent results, provided that patients maintain a healthy weight.
