How Should You Get Rid of Loose Skin From Weight Loss?

If you've lost a significant amount of weight, you may still struggle with the loose skin left behind. As we age, this skin doesn't "bounce back" the way it used to.

At The Plastics Doc, Dr. Samuel E. Salcedo helps patients near Riverside, CA and Beverly Hills, CA get the bodies they've worked for by helping them tighten sagging skin.

Keep reading to find out how Dr. Salcedo can help you look your best.

Why do I have loose skin after weight loss?

Whether you’ve changed your diet and exercise habits or undergone a liposuction procedure, removing fat from the body can leave behind sagging skin. If you carry fat for long periods of time, it can damage the collagen and elastin fibers that keep your skin taut. Then, when the fat is gone, the skin can no longer snap back.

If skin looseness is minimal, less invasive methods may be used for skin tightening. But in many cases, a combination of weight loss and age can make it hard for your body to produce the elastin it needs to tighten skin that hangs in any significant way.

How can I fix sagging skin after weight loss?

Cosmetic surgery is one of the best ways to remove sagging skin after weight loss. In fact, it can be done alongside procedures that remove pockets of stubborn fat. For example, Dr. Salcedo can perform a liposuction procedure alongside a surgical body lift. That way, you'll see less fat and tighter skin after you recover.

Liposuction alone cannot reduce loose skin. Depending on where the fat was removed, you may need one of the following skin-tightening surgeries:

• Tummy tuck
• Arm lift
• Thighplasty

Should I tighten up loose skin after losing weight?

Regardless of how you lose weight, it's important to get an assessment from Dr. Salcedo about how much your skin can tighten on its own. The more weight you lose, the less likely you'll need a cosmetic procedure to remove sagging skin.

Almost no amount of diet and exercise can repair your skin. You can make lifestyle modifications to encourage your body's production of collagen and elastin. Still, it's unlikely to be enough to remove hanging skin on areas like the arms, abdomen, thighs, or buttocks.

If your skin is showing lines and wrinkles in other areas, it's important to remember that it's even less likely to be able to tighten on its own. This can be due to age, genetics, sun exposure, and smoking.

Tightening loose skin after weight loss is a personal preference, but if you've decided to remove fat with liposuction to get the body you've always dreamed of, chances are that hanging skin will interfere with your aesthetic results. Depending on how much loose skin you have, you may also experience mobility issues and physical discomfort.

Tighten loose skin in Riverside and Beverly Hills, CA

It's common to be troubled by sagging skin after weight loss. Luckily, body tightening and lifting procedures can address these issues by removing fat, and stimulating the production of collagen and elastin, or both.

At The Plastics Doc, Dr. Samuel Salcedo can help patients plan ahead to ensure that weight loss and skin tightening go hand in hand. If you'd like to learn more, schedule a consultation in Riverside, CA or Beverly Hills, CA.