Post Weightloss Body Shaping

If after diet/ exercise and/or bariatric surgery (gastric band, bypass, sleeve gastrectomy) the patient is left with uncomfortable folds of skin access then Mr Ragoowansi specialises in removal of the excess skin through thin, well concealed scars to restore shape, confidence and comfort.

Prior to embarking on such procedures, it is advisable to achieve an optimum weight (BMI) which has been constant for at least 4-6 months. At your detailed assessment, a full examination including height, weight, body mass index and the grade of skin access is assessed together with your general health and fitness for surgery.

For those who have undergone bariatric surgery, Mr Ragoowansi prefers to liaise with the weight loss surgeon to obtain advice as the whether the patients weight has stabilised sufficiently following the procedure and that the patient is of maximal fitness (cardio/ vascular/ nutritional) to undergo the proposed plastic surgery procedure(s).
The four commonest areas of request are inner arms, breasts (gynecomastia in men), anterior abdominal wall, inner thighs. However, Mr Ragoowansi’s expertise also extends into the lower face/neck rejuvenation (especially after massive weight loss) to treat neck and jowl laxity. To address the excess skin on the lower back and upper buttock a belt lipectomy delivers comfortable, natural results. A lateral thigh lift helps to address bulk, discomfort of excess skin over the lateral waist, hip and thigh.
We usually advise carrying out 1 or 2 of the above procedures during a single sitting for general anaesthesia. The most common combination is breast uplift/ augmentation together with abdominoplasty.

The inner arm reduction or brachioplasty procedure can be carried out in combination or as a solo procedure. The scar is placed along the inner arm with or without a short extension into the axilla:
If the inner thigh reduction/ lift is usually the last procedure to be performed in the repertoire as it is the most extensive of all of the above mentioned procedures with a prolonged recovery period of between 8-10 weeks. The scar is sensitivity positioned within inner thigh with a short extension to the groin:

The average length of operation of the above procedures is 4-6 hours with a 4-6 week recovery period (apart from the thigh lift which is 8 weeks) and the belt lipectomy which is 10 weeks. A compression garment is advisable during the first 4-6 weeks following the above procedure(s) to help with the healing process, minimise swelling and also to allow for comfortable healing.
There is a relatively high satisfaction rate (85-95%) of the above mentioned procedures with only a low risk of complications such as scar healing, long length of scars (mainly in those patients with moderate to severe skin excess following severe weight loss), seroma (accumulation of fluid under the skin which needs to be aspirated), delayed healing (of scars within the axilla and inner groin), residual skin access (dog ears following abdominoplasty which are placed at times, on purpose, at times to minimise length of scars and asymmetry) despite precision markings pre-operatively and meticulous planning at surgery. Asymmetry can occur as it is difficult to guaranty the same period of recovery and grade of healing of either side (breasts, arms, thighs).

Skin excess through weight loss can also effect other areas including the lower face, jowls, neck for which a subtle lower facelift is an appropriate procedure.

For those patients who are deemed suitable for rejuvenation of more than 1 / 2 anatomical units, it is advisable to preserve a gap of 4-6 months between each procedure in order to allow for safe, comfortable healing and return to normal mobility prior to engaging with the perspective, preferred next procedure.