Post Weight Loss Surgery

Losing significant weight—whether through lifestyle changes, bariatric surgery, or semaglutide weight loss shots—is a noteworthy accomplishment that can lead to a healthier lifestyle. For many people, however, rapid weight loss results in sagging skin on the abdomen, upper arms, thighs, back, and face. Skin removal surgery in Arkansas performed at our Little Rock practice by board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Eric Wright tightens skin and helps you feel confident about your appearance.

Body Lift
 Before & After Photos

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Before & After Body Lift Case 495 Front View in Little Rock, Arkansas
Before & After
Case: 1 of 7

Body Lift Case #495

This patient presented with desire for body contouring after massive weight loss. She disliked skin laxity. She underwent a circumferiential body lift with liposuction to her flanks. Muscle repair was also performed. 
Before & After Body Lift Case 64 Front View in Little Rock, Arkansas
Before & After
Case: 2 of 7

Body Lift Case #64

This patient presented following significant weight loss. She wished to improve overall contour. Due to the amount of excess skin, she underwent a circumferential lower body lift with liposuction to the abdomen, flanks and thighs. 
Before & After Body Lift Case 51 Front View in Little Rock, Arkansas
Before & After
Case: 3 of 7

Body Lift Case #51

This patient presented following significant weight loss. She wished to have an improved abdominal wall contour.  Due to the excess skin, she underwent a circumferential 360 degree lower body lift with liposuction and internal muscle tightening.   Read More
Before & After Body Lift Case 224 Front View in Little Rock, Arkansas
Before & After
Case: 4 of 7

Body Lift Case #224

This patient presented to improve her appearance after having a 177 lb weight loss. She was unhappy excess skin. She underwent an anterior body lift with liposuction to flanks and came back for the completion 3 months later to her back. 
Before & After Arm Lift Case 130 Back View in Little Rock, Arkansas
Before & After
Case: 5 of 7

Arm Lift Case #130

This patient presented with desire to improve her cosmetic appearance. She has a history of massive weight loss due to weight loss surgery. She was unhappy with her skin laxity in her upper arm area and underwent a bilateral, vertical brachioplasty procedure with liposuction to both arms.  Read More
Before & After Body Lift Case 199 Front View in Little Rock, Arkansas
Before & After
Case: 6 of 7

Body Lift Case #199

This patient presented with skin laxity. She had a history of massive weight loss with a tummy tuck to follow. She disliked the excess skin and adiposity around her midsection. She underwent a body lift completion with liposuction to flanks for contouring.  Read More
Before & After Body Lift Case 126 Front View in Little Rock, Arkansas
Before & After
Case: 7 of 7

Body Lift Case #126

This patient presented to discuss a posterior body lift. She had a history of 50 lb weight loss with a previous abdominoplasty. She had skin laxity of her posterior thighs and gluteal region. She underwent complete posterior body lift to improve her skin laxity.  Read More

Keep in mind that each patient is unique and your results may vary.

What is post weight loss plastic surgery?

Plastic surgery after massive weight loss is not a single procedure. Dr. Wright personalizes each procedure to address a patient’s specific concerns after discussing their goals during the consultation. In some cases, he can achieve the desired results in a single operation. If a patient has loose skin in multiple areas, however, Dr. Wright might recommend staging the procedures over several months to ensure safety and proper healing.

Who is a good candidate for plastic surgery after weight loss?

Many women and men who want to get rid of excess skin and tighten sagging tissue can benefit from plastic surgery. Weight loss can profoundly impact an individual’s self-esteem, body satisfaction, and overall quality of life. Cosmetic surgery has also been shown to help patients maintain their weight loss goals. One study concluded that people who get plastic surgery after losing significant weight are more likely to keep the weight off than patients who don’t undergo skin removal surgery.

Post weight loss plastic surgery patients should be cleared by their primary care physicians to undergo elective surgery and have maintained a healthy weight for at least 3 to 6 months before having body contouring surgery.

Plastic Surgeon Dr. Wright profile image

About Dr. Wright

An Arkansas native, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Eric Wright has spent over a decade helping Little Rock women and men look and feel their best with both reconstructive and plastic surgery options.

Meet Dr. Wright Logos for UAMS, Stanford Residency, Harvard Medical School, MGH, The American Board of Plastic Surgery, Inc., The Aesthetic Society, and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons
Logos for UAMS, Stanford Residency, Harvard Medical School, MGH, The American Board of Plastic Surgery, Inc., The Aesthetic Society, and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Logos for UAMS, Stanford Residency, Harvard Medical School, MGH, The American Board of Plastic Surgery, Inc., The Aesthetic Society, and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons

Which procedures do people have after massive weight loss?

While individual needs vary, Dr. Wright typically performs a combination of the following procedures for people who have lost a considerable amount of weight:

  • Tummy tuck surgery removes excess abdominal skin, repairs abdominal muscles, and reshapes the bellybutton.  
  • Circumferential 360° lower body lift, also called a belt lipectomy, adds to a traditional tummy tuck by removing excess skin and fat from the hips, lower back, and upper buttocks for firmer contours around the lower body.
  • Arm lift surgery (brachioplasty) tightens the upper arms using incisions that run from the armpit to the elbow on the underside of the arms.
  • Thigh lift surgery improves upper leg contours, often including the buttocks, by removing excess skin and lifting sagging tissue.

Many of these procedures include liposuction to remove pockets of fat and enhance contours. Patients often also seek a facelift, neck lift, or a breast procedure such as a breast lift or male breast reduction to reshape the upper body after weight loss.

Plastic Surgery After Weight Loss Shots

With the popularity of semaglutide weight loss treatments such as Ozempic® and Wegovy® injections, women and men are turning to plastic surgery to put the finishing touches on their slimmer physiques.

If you have lost weight with the use of semaglutide or another GLP-1 receptor agonist and are considering a tummy tuck or other skin tightening procedure, inform Dr. Wright of all current and recent medications, supplements, and over-the-counter meds that you are taking.

What Is ‘Ozempic Face?’

The relatively rapid weight loss people experience while using Ozempic or other semaglutide medications isn’t limited to a specific area of the body. Some women and men lose facial fat and volume in the cheeks, temples, and around the eyes—areas where volume makes the face appear more youthful. The term “Ozempic face” describes the loose skin and pronounced wrinkles that develop after weight loss, creating a tired or older appearance.

How long does it take to recover from skin removal surgery?

Recovery varies widely after post weight loss surgery depending on the procedures performed and individual factors. In general, patients can stand and walk around the day of surgery, return to work and nonstrenuous activity within 2 to 4 weeks, and resume regular activity in about 6 to 8 weeks. Patients will need to wear compression wraps or garments to put pressure on surgical areas and minimize swelling, which can take 3 to 6 months to resolve fully.

A Reputation Built on Results

I was exploring the idea of having plastic surgery after a significant amount of weight loss. I did...
Dr. Wright is the best of the best! I had a complicated surgery and throughout he made sure I understood...
Maegan is so great! She gives the best facials and is sweet, kind, knowledgeable, and a wonder aesthetician....
Love Meagan the skincare in and Paige! Lacey at the front desk is so welcoming. Such a nice place to...

Does body contouring surgery leave scars?

While all surgical procedures leave scars, the vast majority of Dr. Wright’s body contouring patients consider this a worthwhile tradeoff for their improved confidence and physical well-being. He takes special care to minimize the number and size of the incisions and place them where the scars will be as inconspicuous as possible.

Traveling for Treatment?
Try Our 3-Step Process

If you’re visiting Little Rock to see Dr. Wright, our patient care team will help make your trip easy and enjoyable.

  1. Have Your Virtual Consultation
  2. Make Your Travel Plans
  3. Prepare for Your Surgery & Recovery
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Request Your Consultation

Are you ready to complete your journey to health, comfort, and confidence with post weight loss body contouring surgery? Request a consultation to meet with Dr. Eric Wright in Little Rock, AR, or call (501) 575-0088 for an appointment.

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