Introduction:
Obesity has become a global problem in the recent past. With a rapid rise in obesity rates among men due to a sedentary lifestyle, especially after the pandemic, and unhealthy eating habits, an increasing number of weight loss surgeries do not come as a surprise. Therefore, bariatric surgeries are preferred by individuals who deal with severe weight issues. Once the excess pounds are shed, certain areas require additional body contouring. There are certain stubborn areas of fat with loose skin that persist after the surgery and have to be dealt with post-weight loss surgery. Loose or sagging skin and uneven weight loss are some of the side effects commonly faced by men after undergoing massive weight loss. This article, therefore, deals with all the major skin removal clinical procedures required by men post-weight loss surgery.
What Are the Plastic Surgery Procedures for Men Post-Weight Loss Surgery?
To get rid of the stubborn fat pockets after bariatric surgery, men opt for a few plastic surgery procedures. Even after losing significant weight, most men carry fat in love handles or on the abdomen (fat distribution becomes quite uneven). So, there are various procedures that men opt for for their body contouring and getting rid of loose skin. These include:
-
Abdominoplasty - Also referred to as tummy tuck, it is a plastic surgery procedure often performed to tighten the skin around the abdominal wall. Usually, the skin around the tummy is loose and hangs from the lower portion of the abdomen. The man usually opts for this procedure in the first place post-weight loss surgery. An incision is made along the lower abdomen, and then the surgery is performed. Males will get a tighter and smoother midsection. The loose skin from the waistline will be removed, leading to a few inches of loss around the tummy. The recovery time for a tummy tuck in males is usually five to eight weeks. After the surgery, it is important to follow a proper diet, maintain proper hydration, and follow all the guidelines as suggested by the doctor for proper healing. The patient should avoid lifting heavy weights and wear compression clothes for quick healing.
-
Arm Lift Surgery - This surgery has a more than 95 percent success rate, and it is a very popular plastic surgery procedure opted for by men. The surgeon makes an incision on the underside of the arms to remove the loose skin, making the arms more toned and sculpted. It is also known as brachioplasty and helps improve mobility in men. Once this procedure is done, males feel more confident. Excess fat deposit is also removed from the arm to reshape and recontour the arms. It takes four to six weeks for proper healing of the arms.
-
Gynecomastia - This surgery is performed when excess and unwanted fat tissue develops over the chest portion giving an illusion of female breasts in males. This surgery primarily aims to remove the unwanted chest fat and skin. It is also known as male breast reduction surgery. It helps to improve the quality of life in male candidates. It occurs due to hormonal imbalance and does not respond to dietary changes and exercises. Hence, males opt for this procedure to boost their confidence. In this procedure, unwanted tissue is excised and liposuction is done to provide a flatter, firmer, and masculine chest. It also takes a minimum of four to seven weeks for recovery. It takes longer to heal.
-
Thigh Lift Surgery - Sometimes, significant weight loss results in loose, saggy skin pooling around the inner thighs. Men generally opt for this popular cosmetic procedure to firm, reshape, and recontour their theirs for a fitter and masculine appearance. It is a thigh lifting procedure that aims to improve the tone of the thigh muscles in the legs. This surgery also improves mobility in a few males while performing daily activities and even during exercising. For the scar to heal completely, it takes approximately five to eight weeks for complete recovery. The legs become more contoured and active post weight loss surgery.
-
Lower Body Lift Surgery - This surgery aims at the surgical removal of unwanted fat and sagging skin in the lower body. A 360 degree incision is carved to remove the skin hanging from the stomach, hips, buttocks, thighs, and flanks of the abdomen. This procedure will help men to wear tight-fitting clothes and follow an active lifestyle. The recovery time for this surgery is four to eight weeks. The patient should follow the doctor’s guidelines and avoid lifting heavy weights. The movements should also be restricted for some time for proper wound healing.
-
Liposuction - This is an excellent option for men who want to get rid of stubborn fat from certain target areas in their bodies. In case of any body contouring surgeries, liposuction is added as an adjunctive procedure to tone the body and reshape it. The recovery period is usually two to three weeks. Liposuction is usually carried out for the double chin. It gives a more natural look post-weight loss surgery. Compression garments are recommended to wear post-liposuction.
-
Upper Blepharoplasty - It is also known as the upper eyelid lift surgery. It helps to eliminate the stretched skin on the upper eyelid and excess fat deposits that lead to hooded eyes. This surgery is performed differently in males as compared to females. It takes two to three weeks for a full recovery. Post-weight loss surgery, uneven eye folds may appear that give a droopy appearance to the eyes. Hence, this surgery is preferred by men as droopy eyelids may even hamper vision. While performing this surgery, a masculine look is preserved.
Conclusion:
Post-weight loss plastic surgery procedures for men and women differ as while performing these procedures, the masculinity of the male candidate needs to be maintained and preserved. After undergoing massive weight loss, skin hangs drastically, and that needs to be dealt with. So, body contouring, tummy tuck, arm lift, and liposuction are among the most popular cosmetic procedures that are commonly performed in men. Patients should follow all the post-operative instructions carefully, eat a proper diet, and restrict their movements for some time.
