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Body Contouring After Weight Loss

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Home  /  Body /  Body Contouring After Weight Loss

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You’ve come so far—let us help you feel complete.

Losing a significant amount of weight—whether through lifestyle changes or bariatric surgery—is a life-changing achievement. You’ve worked hard to improve your health and quality of life, but if you’re still carrying excess skin or sagging tissue, your journey may feel unfinished. At Granite Bay Cosmetic Surgery, we help patients from Granite Bay, Roseville, Folsom, El Dorado Hills, and the greater Sacramento area refine their body shape through body contouring procedures designed to restore comfort, enhance your confidence, and reveal your new shape.

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What is Body Contouring After Weight Loss?

Body contouring after weight loss is a collection of surgical procedures that remove excess skin, reshape areas of the body, and address lingering fat pockets that diet and exercise alone can’t fix. These procedures are not weight loss surgery; instead, they are Trusetd Source Checkbox Trusted Source Body Contouring Skin Removal After Major Weight Loss American Society of Plastic Surgeons Go to Source body contouring Trusetd Source Checkbox surgery options to help you enjoy the full benefits of your transformation.

Sagging skin and tissue after massive weight loss can cause physical discomfort, limit mobility, and make it difficult to feel at home in your body. Dr. Clark designs each surgery plan to your areas of concern, whether that’s the upper arms, thighs, abdomen, breasts, or multiple regions at once.

Am I a Good Candidate?

Most patients seeking body contouring after weight loss share similar concerns and goals. You may be a good candidate if:

  • You’ve reached your goal weight and it’s been stable for at least 6 months
  • You are in good overall health and maintain a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle
  • You don’t smoke, or you’ve quit well in advance of surgery (at least 6 weeks before and after)
  • You’re prepared for a longer recovery time compared to other cosmetic procedures
  • You’re comfortable with scars that may be visible in some clothing styles
  • You understand that individual Trusetd Source Checkbox Trusted Source Body Lift Candidates American Society of Plastic Surgeons Go to Source results vary Trusetd Source Checkbox —procedures provide dramatic improvements, not perfection
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Procedure Options for Body Contouring

By combining procedures, we can address multiple areas of the body in one or two operations. Options include:

arm lift incision graphic

Arm Lift Surgery (Brachioplasty)

Removes excess skin and fat from the upper arms (“bat wings”) to create a more toned look.

  • Involves an incision along the underside of the arm, where scars are discreetly hidden.
  • Back to desk work in about 5 days (longer if combined with other procedures).

Learn more about arm lift surgery

thigh lift incision graphic

Thigh Lift Surgery

Reduces sagging skin and tissue from the inner and/or outer thighs for smoother, leaner contours.

  • Incisions are placed in natural creases whenever possible.
  • Improves comfort in clothing and confidence in shorts, skirts, and swimsuits.
  • Back to work in about 2 weeks; exercise in 4–6 weeks.

Learn more about thigh lift surgery

body lift incisions graphic

Body Lift: Lower, Middle, or Upper

Addresses sagging skin around the circumference of the abdomen, hips, thighs, and buttocks.

  • Can restore your belly button’s natural appearance.
  • Involves multiple incisions, often extending around the waist.
  • Recovery requires several weeks off from normal activity.

Panniculectomy

Removes the pannus, or “apron” of hanging skin and excess fat in the lower abdomen.

  • Can be performed before reaching your final goal weight if the pannus is interfering with mobility, skin health, or exercise.
  • Involves a horizontal incision along the pubic bone; can be combined with abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) if abdominal muscles need tightening.

Breast Enhancement

After massive weight loss, breast tissue may deflate and sag.

  • For women: A breast lift with or without implants restores shape and volume.
  • For men: Male breast reduction removes excess tissue for a firmer, flatter chest.

Learn more about breast enhancement

Liposuction & Tummy Tuck

  • Liposuction removes excess fat pockets and smooths transitions between treated areas.
  • Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) tightens stretched abdominal muscles and removes loose skin for a flatter, firmer belly.

Preparing for Surgery

Once you’ve decided to move forward, we’ll guide you through every step so you feel ready and confident. Preparation may include:

  • Pre-op visit: Review health history, order lab testing if needed, and finalize details.
  • Medication adjustments: You may need to pause supplements, aspirin, or anti-inflammatory drugs that increase bleeding.
  • Stop smoking or vaping: Nicotine reduces blood flow and slows healing—quit at least 6 weeks before and after surgery.
  • Arrange support: You’ll need someone to drive you home and stay with you the first night.
  • Set up recovery space: Stock up on healthy meals, prepare a comfortable resting spot, and have entertainment within reach.
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Recovery & Results

Body lift recovery is more involved than other surgical procedures, but the improvements are life-changing.

  • First week: You’ll wear compression garments and may have drains in place. Expect soreness and stiffness, but discomfort is manageable with medication.
  • 2–4 weeks: Many patients return to desk jobs after 3–4 weeks; physical jobs require more time.
  • 6 weeks: Most patients can resume light exercise. Heavy lifting and strenuous activity should wait until cleared at a post-op visit.
  • 3–6 months: Swelling continues to resolve, scars begin to fade, and your new shape emerges.
  • 1 year+: Final results are visible; scars mature and flatten over time.

Body contouring results are long-lasting as long as you maintain a stable weight and healthy lifestyle.

"I am a "extreme weight loss" type patient...getting rid of excess skin. Dr. Clark and her staff are simply FABULOUS. Friendly, courteous, professional. I have followed my post-op instructions religiously and I am seeing steady improvement and exciting results! I cannot recommend Dr. Clark highly enough!"
"I had an amazing experience with Dr. Clark. I have 5 kids and was ready to get my body back. I had breast augmentation and a little lipo. I wanted it to all look very natural and Dr. Clark was on board. Everything looks amazing 6 mos later I couldn't be happier."
"Since 2016 I have had a handful of procedures with Dr. Clark and Dr. Bray. I love that the results are natural and tailored to what women what to see. Sometimes it’s not about “vanity”. The results I achieved boosted my confidence and erased childhood trauma. I can look in the mirror and see the real me!"
View More Reviews
Dr. Clark

Why Choose Granite Bay Cosmetic Surgery?

Body contouring after massive weight loss requires both technical precision and an eye for aesthetics. Dr. Christa Clark, MD, FACS, is a board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience in body lift surgery, tummy tucks, thigh lifts, and combination procedures.

At Granite Bay Cosmetic Surgery, you’ll be cared for in a private, accredited plastic surgery center by a compassionate team that prioritizes your safety, comfort, and individual results.

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“Patients often tell me their weight loss gave them back their health, but body contouring gave them back their confidence. Helping someone feel comfortable in their own body again is incredibly rewarding.”
– Dr. Christa Clark
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FAQs About Body Contouring After Weight Loss

No. Weight loss surgery (such as bariatric surgery) helps you lose excess weight. Body contouring procedures come after to remove loose skin and refine your body shape.

Yes. Surgical procedures leave scars, but they are placed as discreetly as possible and fade significantly over time. Compression garments and good skin care support better healing.

Expect 3–4 weeks away from desk work and at least 6 weeks before strenuous exercise. Recovery varies depending on the number of areas treated.

No. Liposuction addresses fat pockets but does not tighten excess skin. Procedures like brachioplasty (arm lift), thigh lift, or tummy tuck are recommended when elasticity is poor.

As long as your weight remains stable, results are intended to last for many years. Normal aging and changes in skin tone will still occur over time.

You’ll notice dramatic improvements within the first few months, but swelling can take 6–12 months to fully resolve. Scars may continue to fade for up to 2 years.

All surgical procedures carry some degree of risk, and body lift surgery is no exception. Potential complications may include bleeding, infection, fluid buildup (seroma), blood clots, delayed wound healing, numbness, or changes in Trusetd Source Checkbox Trusted Source Body Contouring After Weight Loss: What You Need to Know Johns Hopkins Medicine Go to Source skin sensation. Trusetd Source Checkbox Working with a board-certified plastic surgeon and making sure you’re in good health before surgery greatly reduces these risks. At your consultation, we’ll review your health history, discuss possible risks in detail, and take every precaution to keep you safe before, during, and after surgery.

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Ready to Complete Your Transformation?

If you’ve worked hard to lose a significant amount of weight but are still struggling with excess skin or fat pockets, body contouring surgery can help you feel fully confident in your new shape.

Schedule your personal consultation at our Granite Bay office—just a short drive from Roseville, Folsom, El Dorado Hills, and the Sacramento area.

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The content on this site has been medically reviewed by the doctors at Granite Bay Cosmetic Surgery.

1 American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Body Contouring Skin Removal After Major Weight Loss. Available: https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/body-contouring. Accessed September 16, 2025.

2 American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Body Lift Candidates. Available: https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/body-lift/candidates. Accessed September 16, 2025.

3 Johns Hopkins Medicine. Body Contouring After Weight Loss: What You Need to Know. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/body-contouring-after-weight-loss-what-you-need-to-know#. Accessed September 16, 2025.