Tighten Sagging Skin After Sleeve Surgery to Get Rid of Excessive Skin
After gastric sleeve surgery, it is common to lose a significant amount of weight rapidly. This technique has many advantages, but one of the drawbacks of undergoing this procedure is loose skin. So, how can you tighten sagging skin after gastric sleeve surgery to achieve the ideal body? Let's learn about different body-tightening surgeries in the following article.
The sleeve gastrectomy procedure:
The sleeve gastrectomy procedure, also known as gastric sleeve surgery, is usually performed to assist with weight loss. This procedure is typically done laparoscopically, which means small incisions are made through which the surgery is performed. These incisions are located in the upper part of the abdomen. During the gastric sleeve procedure, approximately 80 percent of the stomach is removed, leaving behind a narrow tube-shaped stomach about the size of a banana. Reducing the size of the stomach helps decrease the amount of food consumed daily. Additionally, this procedure leads to hormonal changes in the body that can help alleviate some health problems associated with obesity, such as hypertension and heart disease.
Reasons of performing gastric sleeve surgery:
The gastric sleeve surgery aims to help you get rid of excessive obesity that could lead to life-threatening complications in the future, such as:
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease.
• Heart disease.
• Hypertension.
• Hypercholesterolemia.
• Sleep apnea or difficulty breathing during sleep.
• Type 2 diabetes.
• Stroke.
• Infertility.
Often, this type of surgery is performed when strict diets and intense exercise regimens have proven ineffective.
You may consider gastric sleeve surgery if:
• Your body mass index (BMI) is 40 or higher, indicating severe obesity.
• Your BMI is between 35 and 39.9, and you have risky health conditions related to your excess weight, such as type 2 diabetes or hypertension.
• Some individuals with a BMI between 30 and 35 may also undergo this procedure if they suffer from risky weight-related conditions.
After gastric sleeve surgery:
You must be willing to change your lifestyle and follow a healthier diet. You may need to maintain regular exercise, and you may also require a long-term plan to monitor your weight and dietary habits according to your health condition. The results of gastric sleeve surgery can appear rapidly, with some individuals losing around one kilogram per week. This rapid weight loss often leads to significantly loose skin on the body.
Tighten sagging after gastric sleeve surgery:
Tightening loose skin after gastric sleeve surgery is typically achieved through surgical intervention. This procedure aims to remove the excess skin and tighten the sagging skin.
Areas that you can tighten after gastric sleeve surgery include:
• The abdomen, waist, and flanks.
• The chest.
• The buttocks.
• The arms.
• The thighs, whether it is the outer thighs, inner thighs, or the entire thigh area.
Candidates for skin tightening after gastric sleeve surgery:
Typically, the following conditions should be met by candidates for body tightening procedures in general:
• Good overall health and not suffering from any chronic conditions that may hinder the surgery.
• Having significant loose and excess skin in one or more areas of the body.
• Having realistic expectations about the results of the skin tightening procedure.
• Being a non-smoker or being willing to quit smoking for some time.
• Being prepared to follow a healthy diet rich in vitamins and minerals.
During your visit and consultation with Dr. Ahmed Mekkawy, he will discuss with you the following:
• Your goals of this process.
• Your health condition, the types of allergies you suffer from, and the medications you have previously taken.
• What medications you are currently taking, vitamins and nutritional supplements, and do you consume alcohol or drugs or not.
• Surgeries you have previously undergone.
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In addition, Dr. Ahmed Mekkawy will also:
• Evaluate your health status to determine your susceptibility to side effects or risks after the tightening procedure.
• Examine the body in detail and take body measurements.
• Take some photographs of your body for comparison after the surgery.
• Discuss body-tightening options.
• Develop a detailed treatment plan before and after the tightening surgery.
• Discuss the expected results and potential risks of the tightening procedure and how to deal with them if they occur.
The success rate of sagging skin tightening after gastric sleeve surgery largely depends on your eligibility for the surgery. Dr. Ahmed Mekkawy will ask you about your health, lifestyle, and dietary habits to assess your eligibility, so answer him honestly and in detail.
You can also prepare some questions you have about this procedure, such as:
• Have you performed this type of procedure before? How many times have you did this procedure?
• Am I a good candidate for this procedure?
• What are the tips I can follow before the procedure to achieve the best possible results?
• Where will the procedure be performed?
• What are the steps of the tightening procedure in detail?
• What is the expected technique to be used during the tightening procedure?
• How long will the recovery period last, and what can I expect during that time?
• What are the risks and complications of tightening loose skin?
• How are complications handled?
• What are the expected results of loose skin tightening in my case?
• When will the results appear, and when will they stabilize?
• What are my options if I'm not satisfied with the tightening procedure?
• Do you have before and after photos of previous cases that have undergone this procedure?
The risks of sagging skin tightening after gastric sleeve surgery:
The decision to undergo loose skin tightening after gastric sleeve surgery is a personal one that is up to you. All you need to do is understand your susceptibility to risks, weigh the benefits and risks of getting this procedure, and make your decision.
Dr. Ahmed Mekkawy will discuss the risks of this procedure in detail. These risks include:
• Anesthesia-related risks or allergies.
• Bleeding.
• Infection.
• Poor wound healing.
• Fluid accumulation.
• Numbness or altered sensation in treated areas.
• Body contour irregularities.
• Some discomfort.
• Skin laxity in some areas.
• Swelling in treated areas.
• Changes in skin color in treated areas.
• Asymmetry of body parts.
• Damage to blood vessels.
• Visible scarring in treated areas.
A significant portion of these risks are rare, and some depend entirely on the experience of the surgeon performing this type of surgery. Therefore, before deciding to undergo the procedure, make sure to choose a skilled and experienced surgeon like Dr. Ahmed Mekkawy, a consultant in plastic surgery and body sculpting who is the best plastic and hair transplant doctor in Egypt.
Preparation for sagging skin tightening after gastric sleeve surgery:
Before undergoing the body-tightening procedure, your doctor may ask you to:
• Undergo specific tests and examinations.
• Take certain medications or adjust the doses of your prescribed medication and discontinue others.
• Completely stop smoking.
• Avoid taking blood thinners, anti-inflammatory drugs, supplements, and herbs to minimize the risk of bleeding during the procedure.
This procedure may be performed under local, epidural, or general anesthesia, depending on what the doctor considers optimal for your case.
Cost of body tightening:
The average cost of body tightening procedures in the United States is $8,000, according to 2018 statistics by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
The cost of body tightening can vary depending on several factors, including:
• Anesthesia costs.
• Hospital or specialized center fees.
• Costs of medications required during the recovery period.
• Costs of tests and examinations.
• Accommodation and travel expenses if you are coming from another country.
Steps to tighten sagging skin after gastric sleeve surgery:
Body lift procedures require major surgical intervention. The size of the surgical incision and its location depend on the areas to be tightened and excess skin removed from them. Modern techniques now ensure that these surgical incisions are made between the folds of the skin so that they are hidden as much as possible and are difficult to notice afterward, or can be hidden by wearing certain clothes.
Step 1: Anesthesia:
The type of anesthesia is chosen based on your health condition, and this procedure can be done under local, epidural, or general anesthesia.
Step 2: Surgical Incision:
The common technique for tightening the lower body involves making a surgical incision in the bikini area. This surgical incision tightens the abdomen, waist, thighs, and buttocks in one procedure. In the case of tightening the upper body, the surgical incision is usually made under the armpits or along the arms to tighten the arms, chest or breasts, and back.
Step 3: Closure of the Surgical Incision:
After tightening the loose skin and removing the excess skin, the surgical incisions are closed with cosmetic sutures, which Dr. Ahmed Mekkawy ensures that they are hidden within the folds of the skin as much as possible. Then, the wound is covered with medical dressings and compression garments.
Step 4: Results:
The results of loose skin tightening after gastric sleeve surgery can be immediately noticeable right after the procedure. However, the final results will take some time to stabilize completely.
Recovery after loose skin tightening after gastric sleeve surgery:
During recovery, the wounds or surgical incisions will be covered with topical ointments and medical dressings to prevent contamination. The doctor may insert a drain to remove excess fluids from the body and prevent accumulation.
Your doctor will provide specific instructions for recovery, including:
• How to care for the wound and change dressings.
• Medications to take and ointments to apply to the wound.
• Follow-up appointments are needed to monitor your progress.
Results of loose skin tightening after gastric sleeve surgery:
As mentioned before, the results of loose skin tightening are visible immediately after the surgery. However, the final results may take a year or more to stabilize permanently, depending on the degree of loose skin and the number of areas tightened. This procedure may leave some scars, but its results are permanent as long as you can maintain relative weight stability without sudden weight gain. For more information about loose skin tightening after gastric sleeve surgery, contact us or schedule a consultation with Dr. Ahmed Mekkawy, a plastic surgery and body sculpting consultant.
This content has been reviewed by Dr. Ahmed Mekkawy, a consultant in cosmetic surgery, body contouring, and natural hair transplantation.
