You have succeeded in losing substantial weight and you look great — in your clothes. You may discover that despite the progress you’ve made in the amount of weight lost, your body contour remains far from ideal. Now you’re ready to take the next step in reducing excess skin, and our board-certified plastic surgeon in Reno is here to help.
Minor skin laxity and moderate amounts of excess fat can usually be addressed with procedures like abdominoplasty or liposuction; however, more significant excess tissue may require a more comprehensive body contouring procedure known as a lower body lift. Individuals who have undergone massive weight loss may even benefit from other treatments, such as a facelift or breast lift, in order to complete their desired look. Check out the post-bariatric contouring procedures we offer by following the links below:
During your weight loss journey, you may have heard of (or even received treatment with) semaglutide injections. Semaglutide is a medication that offers patients a way to manage their weight and achieve weight loss without relying on willpower and discipline alone. Mirroring the behavior of the GLP-1 hormone, which is released in the gut after eating and signals the brain to feel full, semaglutide injections can help obese or overweight patients become satisfied faster than they normally would. This gives patients the opportunity to better manage their hunger, reduce their risk of overeating, and achieve noticeable weight loss.
After losing weight with semaglutide injections, post-bariatric procedures can effectively recontour the areas affected by excess skin. On top of being perceived as aesthetically unfavorable, hanging tissue in the belly, upper arms, and lower body has a tendency to cause chafing, skin irritation, and difficulty keeping the region clean and hygienic. Dr. McCormack and our team at M Spa would be happy to discuss how body contouring procedures — such as a thigh lift, arm lift, or tummy tuck — after semaglutide injections can help you regain more sculpted, defined contours and minimize excess skin.
A complete review of your medical history is required prior to surgery. This helps ensure that the anesthesia and stress of surgery are well-tolerated. If you have any notable medical concerns, a consultation with other specialists may be necessary before surgery to help minimize the chance of complications. Some patients might also require specific laboratory tests.
It’s essential to share the full extent of your weight loss history with Dr. Tiffany McCormack. This may include information like whether you’ve undergone prior surgeries, and/or how long you’ve been at a stable weight. If you are currently still losing weight, it may be advisable to postpone body contouring surgery until after your weight has not fluctuated for at least 6 to 12 months. Waiting to pursue your procedure until your weight has stabilized may help maximize your results.
Dr. McCormack performs full physical exams to help determine the most ideal body contouring procedures for patients. Photos can also be an invaluable resource to help communicate your aesthetic goals to Dr. McCormack.
There are many individuals who visit our practice from out-of-town specifically to undergo body contouring surgery. If you are not from the area, Dr. McCormack and our friendly team strive to accommodate out-of-town patients as much as possible by helping prepare for your arrival. Please visit the preceding link for more information about planning your trip.
Before arriving in the Reno and Lake Tahoe areas, we kindly ask individuals to fill out our online medical questionnaire, which can serve as an initial virtual consultation. Submitting pictures through our website or by regular mail will also help Dr. McCormack gain insight into your concerns and cosmetic goals. Our office will help you understand exactly what steps should be taken to ensure your experience is as seamless as possible.
The process typically involves visits to your primary care physician ahead of time so that lab work and necessary tests to obtain medical clearance can be completed. We ask that out-of-town patients arrive at least two to three days before their scheduled procedure to complete a full physical evaluation, and to finish the preoperative workup. Dr. McCormack also requests that individuals stay in town for at least 10 to 14 days after their body contouring surgery, assuming there are no complications, so she can monitor your recovery. Our team can help you arrange your stay in local hotels or nursing care facilities so you can comfortably recover from surgery. We also advise patients to put our team in touch with a physician local to your hometown so they can assist you with your care until you’re fully healed.
Patients who are still considered obese or morbidly obese are not good candidates for body contouring, as the surgical risks may be too great. Those who are not yet at a healthy weight often have medical issues that can cause complications with the general anesthesia utilized during surgery. Plus, body contouring procedures typically do not improve a patient’s appearance unless they are already at or near their goal weight.
Although a body lift, abdominoplasty, and other contouring techniques are regularly performed by cosmetic surgeons in Reno and elsewhere, there are risks involved with these procedures—as with all surgeries. Infection and blood clots are rare; however, if an infection occurs, it can be treated with antibiotics and drainage. These interventions may potentially prolong your recovery.
The risk of developing blood clots can be minimized by moving around/walking as soon as possible after surgery. Patients who smoke are also advised to discontinue smoking for three weeks prior to surgery, as smoking increases the risk of complications and delays wound healing by altering blood circulation in the skin. Poor wound healing can also result in a conspicuous scar that could require a second revision operation. During your preoperative visit, Dr. McCormack will make sure you understand other complications that may possibly occur.