Removing excess skin after major weight loss

The feasibility of skin tightening after weight loss

The skin is not just the surface layer of the epidermis.
They are a special organ consisting of several layers associated with the underlying structures and with the entire organism as a whole. Each of these layers performs strictly predefined functions. Any changes in the body lead to corresponding histological and functional changes in the structural components. For example, metabolic disorders, endocrine disorders, a gradual or rapid increase in the volume of subcutaneous fat tissue followed by a rapid decrease, pregnancy, age-related processes lead to stretching of the skin, damage to collagen and elastin structures, the appearance of sagging, the formation of atrophic scars, etc. d.

Rapid weight loss especially affects your figure. Stretched, flabby, sagging excess skin after losing weight, which has lost its elasticity and tone, does not have time to shrink to the required extent, especially in places of greatest stretching - in the chest, front and side surfaces of the abdomen, buttocks, back of the shoulder, hips, subscapular areas.

In addition, with rapid weight loss, body fat decreases unevenly. In the listed areas they remain in significant quantities. The most problematic area in terms of reducing fat tissue is the abdomen. The skin in this area is subject to significant stretching, and stretched skin on the abdomen contracts especially slowly. The remaining adipose tissue leads to even more sagging and the formation of the so-called “apron”.

The resulting ugly folds are not only an aesthetic problem, but also a hygienic problem, since they lead to maceration, weeping and redness of the surfaces touching in the folds, the appearance of an unpleasant odor, etc. How to remove sagging skin after losing weight or giving birth and giving your figure the correct proportions and desired shapes and contours?

There are two ways to solve this issue:

1. Radical surgical methods.
2. Conservative non-invasive or minimally invasive techniques of aesthetic medicine and cosmetology.

Plastic surgery represents the most radical and, at the same time, the most effective correction options. Their general meaning is the removal of excess skin after losing weight and/or the remodeling of shapes and areas of the body by replenishing missing volumes, which allows achieving the effects of tightening and restoring contours.

Surgical methods are designed for people with such pronounced changes that correction of the figure by other (conservative) methods is impossible. These operations are performed simultaneously with tumescent or under general anesthesia lipectomy (liposuction), which involves removing or redistributing excess fat tissue.

Read more about liposuction methods in the article: “Types of surgical liposuction”

Mammoplasty

Mammoplasty consists primarily of increasing the volume of the mammary glands, which results in tissue tightening. Correction by removing their excess is carried out in cases where it is necessary to reduce the volume of the mammary gland.

Abdominoplasty

Abdominoplasty is one of the most extensive, complex and lengthy (about 2-5 hours) surgical interventions in plastic surgery. It is accompanied by liposuction of excess adipose tissue, excision of excess skin formed as a result of its stretching and preservation of fat deposits in it, tightening of the muscles of the anterior abdominal wall, as well as relocation of the navel.

This operation allows not only to get rid of the skin-fat apron formed as a result of rapid weight loss, but also to tighten the skin on the abdomen after childbirth. Stretching of the skin on the abdomen in pregnant women and the formation of an “apron” in them is associated with loss of skin elasticity due to rapid hormonal changes in the body, significant stretching of the muscles and other tissues of the anterior abdominal wall, as well as an increase in fat deposits in many women during pregnancy and rapid their reduction after childbirth.

If the stretching is moderate, mini-abdominoplasty can be performed, the technique of which involves excision of a smaller area of ​​skin and removal of smaller volumes of fatty tissue - only in the lower abdomen. Mini abdominoplasty does not involve moving the navel.

Brachiolastic

Brachioplasty involves the correction of sagging tissues on the back surface of the upper limbs - from the elbow to the shoulder joints. Problems with skin elasticity in this area usually occur in overweight people in middle and old age, after rapid weight loss, as well as in athletes and people involved in high-stress physical education, after a sudden cessation of regular sports activities. Surgery to remove excess skin on the shoulders is often performed in combination with abdominoplasty and chest correction in the subscapular areas.

Gluteoplasty

Gluteoplasty or butt lift - corrective surgery of the gluteal areas, is not a very popular, but quite effective way to get rid of sagging tissue in the lower parts of the gluteal region. They also involve the removal of excess stretched tissue, liposuction, additional tightening and shaping of the buttocks through the installation, in some cases, of buttock implants or lipofilling, that is, partial transplantation or redistribution of fatty tissue.

Conservative minimally invasive and non-invasive, including hardware, methods of aesthetic medicine and cosmetology are not as effective as surgical correction. These products are intended primarily to restore elasticity, tone and lift flabby tissue with slight sagging.

The simplest remedy is a skin tightening cream, which is recommended in the early stages of sagging, loss of tone and the formation of small folds. The following are considered effective for folds on the stomach and thighs:

• cream from Bioterm, containing caffeine and seaweed extracts as components;
• cream and gel from “GUAM” with seaweed extract, hyaluronic and glycolic acids, macadamia oil;
• oily nourishing cream “TALASSO” with seaweed containing a large amount of microelements and vitamin C, as well as soy isoflavones in liposomes, shea butter from the fruits of the African tree and peach oil. Creams from Nivea, Garnier, the Fitness-Body line and others have a similar effect.

However, it should be understood that all of them are intended primarily for use for preventive purposes and with minimal changes in the tone of the skin. Loose skin after weight loss can be corrected quite successfully with the regular use of creams and gels with a lifting effect.

Injection techniques

Some effect is observed when using mesotherapy procedures that reduce tissue sagging (due to improved blood circulation in them, reduced swelling, stimulation of the synthesis of collagen and elastin proteins), and contour plastic surgery using high and medium density hyaluronic acid fillers, allowing for lifting of shallow folds due to replenishment missing volumes and tissue tension.

Abdominal skin tightening after childbirth using mesotherapy

Thread lifting

In case of moderate sagging, a relatively alternative technique (in relation to plastic surgery) is lifting in the abdomen, inner thighs, back of the arms and buttocks using “APTOS Excellence Body” threads. The technique is similar to that used for thread lifting of soft tissues of the face.

Hardware techniques

Hardware for tightening the skin after childbirth or losing weight are represented by devices operating on the “Endermologie” system, or LPG massage. They are a vacuum chamber with rotating rollers, as well as devices in which the influence of infrared radiation is also combined with rotating rollers or the suction effect with bipolar high-frequency radiation.

The action of these hardware techniques is aimed at compacting and tightening without incisions. However, their results are more than modest and require a series of treatment sessions. For patients with mild to moderate sagging without significant changes in tissue volume, broadband light sources, non-ablative laser lifting using a potassium titanyl phosphate laser, pulsed dye lasers, neodymium yttrium aluminum garnet lasers, etc. are most suitable.

Procedures using radio wave, or radio frequency, radiation, called RF lifting procedures and other types of thermolifting, are also highly effective. A high degree of effectiveness, especially for tightening sagging skin after pregnancy and childbirth, is characterized by devices in which radiofrequency exposure is combined with vacuum.

When losing weight, there is a serious restriction of calories entering the body. Due to this, not only your own fat deposits are gradually burned, but also beneficial amino acids, microelements and vitamins are lost. As a result, the epidermis begins to lose elasticity and firmness, and simply hang.

• separation of the abdominal muscles during pregnancy;
• C-section;
• wrong approach to weight loss (if you lose weight too quickly).

The wrinkles that appear after weight loss are not only an aesthetic problem. From a hygienic point of view, they bring no less discomfort - they get wet, turn red, and sometimes emit an unpleasant odor. For this reason, it is very important to know methods on how to remove sagging skin after sudden weight loss. The effect will be different in each case. It all depends on how strong the problem is and on the individual characteristics of the body.

On the stomach

Physical exercise

You can tighten the skin of the mammary glands at home with the help of physical exercises. This technique is completely safe, cheap, but requires a waste of time.

The visible result will be noticeable only after several months of regular exercise.

Experts create sets of exercises aimed at tightening the mammary glands and correcting their shape. The breasts also increase in size due to the growth and strengthening of muscle tissue.

Exercise 1. Starting position - on your knees, lean your hands on the sofa, bend your arms at the elbows, trying to bend your back as much as possible and reach your chest towards the sofa.

Exercise 2. Starting position – feet shoulder-width apart, the left hand should be placed on the thigh, the right hand should be made in large circles, leaning back.

Exercise 3. Lie down on the floor, spread your arms in different directions, tense your muscles as you inhale, lift your chest, and relax as you exhale.

By performing daily exercises to strengthen your bust muscles, you can not only tighten your skin, but also increase the size of your mammary glands.

Salon treatments

Most beauty salons offer a variety of procedures that help remove sagging. Their price depends on the effectiveness and complexity of implementation. A cosmetologist will be able to advise you on specific salon procedures for tightening the skin of the body. You can choose from the following options:

• mesotherapy;
• fractional RF lifting;
• fractional photothermolysis;
• massage;
• microcurrent therapy;
• photorejuvenation;
• thread lifting.

Those who have lost a significant amount of weight through bariatric surgery or other weight loss methods often request surgery to remove excess skin.

Body contouring surgeries include:

• Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck): removal of skin from the abdomen.
• Lower body lift: Removal of skin from the abdomen, buttocks, thighs and thighs.
• Upper body lift: removal of skin from the chest and back.
• Medial thigh lift: removal of skin from the inner and outer thighs.
• Brachioplasty (arm lift): removal of skin from the shoulders.

Typically, any such operations to eliminate sagging skin are performed on patients about a year or two after losing weight.

Contour surgeries usually require a hospital stay of one to four days. Recovery time at home is usually two to four weeks. Complications after surgery may also occur, such as bleeding, problems with healing of the skin at the scar site, and infections may occur.

This surgical method lifts and tightens the abdominal area.

Some plastic surgeons may also perform a thigh lift to eliminate loose skin in the legs.

For more information about what abdominoplasty is, whether there are any contraindications, etc., see the video. Experienced specialist Sergey Viktorovich Kruglik tells.

Although body contouring surgery is by far the most common procedure for removing sagging skin, there are also less invasive options with a lower risk of complications:

• VelaShape: This system uses infrared light, a combination of radiofrequency and massage to reduce excess skin. Quite a good way to tighten the skin of the abdomen and arms.

Body contouring surgery is the most common and effective procedure for removing loose skin that appears after significant weight loss. Some alternative procedures are also possible, but they are not as effective as surgery.

Losing a significant amount of weight is a great achievement! The appearance and internal condition of the body improves significantly. The load on the body goes away, overall well-being improves and immunity increases.

However, people who achieve excellent results and lose many tens of pounds are often left with a large amount of saggy skin, which can negatively affect their appearance and quality of life.

What to do and what other ways you can tighten sagging skin will be discussed further.

Natural possibilities, home remedies to tighten sagging skin.

Simple home techniques

There are other simple methods that help tighten the breast skin and make it firm and elastic. It is very important to wear the correct underwear. The bra should fit your breast size and not be too tight or too loose. When playing sports, it is recommended to wear sports bras that tighten the mammary glands and give them the correct shape.

Cold and hot shower

Massage

At home, you can tighten the skin of your breasts with massage. The skin around the areola-nipple complex should be affected with gentle, circular movements. In order to get the maximum effect, you need to use special cosmetics.

A fairly effective method is massage using frozen ice cubes. You can simply put plain water in the freezer or pour a decoction of herbs into ice molds, then the skin will not only become more elastic, but its color and appearance will also improve. These cubes should be used to wipe not only the skin of the mammary glands, but also the entire décolleté area.

Folk remedies

You can tighten your breasts at home using specially prepared masks. These products are quite simple to prepare, and the results can be amazing if you use them regularly.

• Milk mask. To prepare it you will need milk and cottage cheese. They need to be combined and stirred to form a mass that resembles sour cream in consistency. The mixture is applied for 20 minutes to cleansed skin of the mammary glands. The mask should be done every 2-3 days.

• Egg mask. Beat one chicken egg in a container, add a tablespoon of sour cream and 2 tablespoons of olive oil, stir thoroughly until smooth. Apply the mask to the skin of the chest, except the nipples and areolas, leave for 15 minutes, then rinse with warm water.
• Oatmeal mask. A product is prepared from oatmeal, which is first poured with hot water, infused, then the mixture should be mixed to form a creamy mass. The mask is applied to the chest for 20 minutes.

Folk masks prepared at home will give an effect if used regularly.

You can quickly and effectively tighten your skin without harming your health if you perform all the actions together, that is, physical exercise, contrast showers, massage, and folk remedies.

Better yet, make sure that the mammary glands retain their shape for as long as possible. To achieve this, preventive measures should be taken.

Removing excess skin

Surgery to remove excess skin after losing weight can vary. It all depends on the problem area. The following types of operations are distinguished:

1. Mammoplasty. Lifting and possible simultaneous breast augmentation.
2. Abdominoplasty. It is one of the longest operations. It consists of excision of excess skin, tightening of the abdominal wall muscles and relocation of the navel.
3. Gluteoplasty. Corrective surgery after losing weight in the gluteal area and even inserting implants into it.
4. Torsoplasty. The essence of this operation is a comprehensive lift - lifting the lumbar region, hips, abdomen, buttocks and chest.

Prevention

To prevent sagging, you should familiarize yourself with what factors contribute to this. The skin suffers greatly if you choose the wrong bra. A loose bra does not support the breasts, so there is no benefit from wearing it. Tight underwear interferes with the normal blood supply to the breast tissue, which has a very bad effect on their condition.

You can prevent sagging after pregnancy and lactation if you learn how to properly attach your baby to the breast, use special creams, do exercises, and massage.

If you do everything correctly, you can prevent sagging and maintain the virgin shape of your breasts for a long time.