You may or may not know that the skin is the body’s largest organ. It provides important functions for the body by protecting it from the environment. The skin also adapts and changes to keep up with changes in your body’s size and shape throughout your life.
As we get older, the skin becomes less adaptable, which can lead to loose skin in places like the abdomen, the arms, and the face. Dr. Pearlman and Dr. Bassiri-Tehrani are highly skilled plastic surgeons who offer surgery for loose skin from head to toe in NYC at Pearlman Aesthetic Surgery.
What causes loose skin?
The primary cause of loose skin is that skin loses its elasticity over time. Weight changes also have an impact on your skin. Skin may also have ligaments attaching it to underlying muscles that may also sag with age.
Aging Skin
The skin gets its structure from 2 proteins: collagen and elastin. Collagen gives your skin volume, and elastin provides the elasticity it needs to maintain its shape. As we age, our bodies produce less of these proteins, leading to wrinkles and sagging skin.
On top of the natural aging process, things like sun exposure, pollution, and certain lifestyle factors like poor nutrition, smoking, and excess drinking contribute to poor skin health.
Weight Changes
Carrying extra weight can damage your skin and make it harder for it to snap back after you lose weight. This is particularly true for large amounts of weight loss, like 100 pounds or more. Pregnancy tends to result in loose skin around the abdomen, too.
Your age during pregnancy and/or weight change will also play a part in whether or not you end up with loose skin.
Benefits of Surgery for Loose Skin in NYC, for the body and face
If you’re bothered by loose skin because of its appearance or because it interferes with your physical comfort, you may consider surgical solutions to address it.
Increased Comfort and Confidence
You deserve to look and feel your best, and if loose skin is getting in the way, surgery can help you reclaim your confidence.
Slimmer Figure
Even after you’ve lost weight, the loose skin that hangs around can add bulk and hide away your hard-earned results. Removing the loose skin can result in more accurate and slimmer contours.
Improved Mobility and Less Pain
Regardless of how you feel about its appearance, loose skin can limit your mobility and cause pain by putting unnecessary stress on your body.
Lose a Little More Weight
Skin has weight, and having extra skin can contribute to excess weight. While it may not be a large amount, removing loose skin can help reduce your overall weight.
Reduce the Risk of Skin Infections
It’s easy to develop rashes and sores in between the folds of loose skin.
Am I a candidate for surgery to tighten loose skin on my body or face?
In certain cases, mild skin laxity can improve with exercise and non-surgical skin tightening treatments. However, extremely loose skin that occurs after major weight loss will require surgery to fix.
Generally, when it comes to surgery for loose skin in NYC, good candidates meet the following criteria:
You’re at your goal weight and have a plan to maintain it
Especially when your loose skin is due to weight loss, you’ll want to be able to stay at a stable weight. You should be at your goal weight and have maintained it for at least 6 months.
Beyond that, you should have a plan to maintain your weight after surgery. Significant weight fluctuations can impact your results.
You’re a non-smoker and in generally good health
Smoking impacts your skin’s health overall and also makes recovery from surgery take longer. If you’re a smoker, you want to quit smoking at least 2 weeks before your surgery. Your surgeon may recommend longer, depending on your specific surgery.
You’ll also want to be in generally good physical and mental health before undergoing surgery to ensure the process is smooth and positive.
You have realistic expectations about the surgical process
Skin removal surgery can dramatically improve your appearance, especially with the help of a skilled plastic surgeon.
Even still, you should be prepared for the recovery process and the possibility of visible scarring when you wear certain clothing, like swimsuits. Although these scars will be placed strategically and will fade over time, they may still be noticeable after your procedure.
The Different Areas of the Body Where We Can Lift Loose Skin
At Pearlman Aesthetic Surgery, we offer a full range of skin-tightening surgeries for every area of the body. Dr. Pearlman specializes in facial plastic surgery, and Dr. Bassiri-Tehrani is our skilled body plastic surgeon.
Surgeries that tighten the skin are typically called “lifts,” because they provide a lifting effect to the skin. Your surgeon may also remove excess fat or other tissue during certain surgeries.
Face & Neck
Facial skin is often the first place that people will start to notice signs of aging as the delicate skin begins to wrinkle.
If you’re interested in surgery for loose skin on the face, you’re considering a facelift and will want to book with a facial plastic surgeon.
Areas on the Body
Loose skin on the body tends to develop because of weight changes. Common areas that experience loose skin are:
- Arms
- Back
- Thighs
- Breasts
- Abdomen
There are surgeries to address loose skin in each of these areas of the body.
What happens when I book surgery for loose skin in NYC?
At Pearlman Aesthetic Surgery, we focus on creating unique treatment plans for each of our patients. Not only do we focus on your unique goals and concerns, but we also take into account your anatomy and lifestyle, always with the mission to empower beauty and deliver natural results.
The first step is a consultation with one of our surgeons and our Patient Care Coordinator.
Consultation
If you are interested in facelift surgery, your consultation will be with Dr. Pearlman. For body surgeries, you’ll meet with Dr. Bassiri-Tehrani. Your consultation will take place at our Park Avenue office and will be completely confidential.
During this conversation, your surgeon will listen to your concerns and goals regarding surgery for loose skin. We highly encourage you to ask questions during this time. Our team will walk you through each step of the procedure and recovery process, so you know what to expect.
Surgery
Your surgery will take place in our luxurious, accredited in-office facility. The surgery process takes a few hours; the exact timing depends on your specific procedure.
After our care team walks you through the process and answers any last-minute questions, you’ll be placed under general anesthesia. This means you’ll need someone with you to drive you home following your surgery.
What is recovery like after surgery?
When your surgery is complete, our patient care team will provide you with detailed aftercare instructions to ensure your recovery is as smooth as possible.
Depending on your specific procedure, your recovery period will be 1 to 2 weeks before you can return to work. You may also have activity restrictions, such as not working out, for 1 to 2 months, depending on the surgery
On the day of your consultation, we will happily answer any questions you have about your recovery. We’re also available by phone for any follow-up questions or concerns you may have during your recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get multiple surgeries at the same time?
Yes! Many patients often get surgery for multiple areas of loose skin, or they simply combine their skin tightening procedure with another. A mommy makeover is a popular combination of procedures for mothers after they’ve had children. Generally, a breast augmentation or lift or both can be combined with a tummy tuck at the same time for a mommy makeover.
Other procedures like an arm lift and liposuction can also be combined. Sometimes, the surgeries are staged (or split) on different days to reduce the risk of complications depending on risk factors. Patients who are getting a facelift often combine it with a brow or forehead lift and blepharoplasty to tighten loose skin around their eyes.
Your surgeon can develop a plan for surgery that reflects your unique goals and desires.
Are there alternatives to surgery?
For patients with mild skin laxity who are not interested in or ready for surgery, we do offer several non-surgical skin tightening treatments. These aesthetic treatments use techniques like laser, microneedling, and ultrasound to help lift and tighten the skin.
How soon will I see results from surgery for loose skin?
Results from surgery can be noticed somewhat immediately. However, there is usually swelling present as the body heals, so you may not see final results until a few weeks to several months after your surgery.
Of course, this also depends on your recovery, which looks different for every patient. Wearing compression garments is an important part of the recovery process as it reduces swelling and hastens recovery.
Interested in Surgery for Loose Skin in NYC? Book Your Consultation
For years, Pearlman Aesthetic Surgery has been persistent in our search for perfection as the best plastic and facial plastic surgeons in New York. We bring evolution, experience, expertise, and uniqueness to our patients in our Manhattan office.
Whether you’re interested in a facelift or a body procedure, your first step is scheduling a consultation with our team.
You can always use our procedure match tool to explore all our aesthetic and surgical solutions at Pearlman Aesthetic Surgery. Answer a few questions about your areas of concern or interest, and you’ll receive customized recommendations right in your inbox.
