How Soon After Weight Loss Can You Have Plastic Surgery?

When it comes to weight loss, the idea of eating a healthy diet and maintaining a regular exercise program is the advice most often shared by doctors and dieticians around the world. However, in today’s weight loss world, bariatric surgery and medications like Ozempic are changing how we look at weight loss.

If we look at statistics, 13 percent of U.S. adults have used GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic  for weight loss, while as many as 20% of Americans qualify for bariatric surgery  each year. This weight loss boom has sparked an increase in plastic surgery as shedding the pounds through these methods doesn’t always deliver the body contouring goals you are looking for. But how soon can you have plastic surgery after weight loss?

How Rapid Weight Loss Contributes To Excess Skin and Other Common Body Changes

When you lose weight through changes to your diet and exercise routine, the weight is shed slowly and your body has time to shrink back naturally. Unfortunately, with rapid weight loss through surgery or medications, weight is lost much quicker and does not give the body time to adapt and shrink to match your new shape. You may experience excess skin, sagging breasts, bat wings, and more. Despite trying to target these areas, they are less likely to respond to exercise and, in many cases, will not shrink or change with time, leaving many to explore plastic surgery.

Method of Weight Loss Can Contribute to the Best Time for Plastic Surgery

As we hinted above, how you lose weight can play a vital role in determining how quickly you can address your concerns with plastic surgery. For example, if you have lost weight naturally and have hit your goal, you will likely qualify for surgery as soon as you would like. However, with medications or bariatric surgery, there are recommended time frames. For example, with bariatric surgery, your maximum weight loss results can take 12-18 months and around a year for medications like Ozempic.

Weight Stability Is Recommended To Achieve Optimal Results

No matter your weight loss method, weight stability is probably the most important factor when determining if now is the right time for your plastic surgery. Most surgeons want to see that you have maintained your weight loss for at least six months. In addition to weight stability, you want to be in good health, following a regular diet and exercise routine, and not planning any future pregnancies as that can undo your surgical results.

Plastic Surgery After Weight Loss Can Make Weight Management Easier

Oftentimes when people think of plastic surgery after significant weight loss, they think of procedures that will target their appearance, giving them the body contouring goals they hoped to achieve. But, in many cases, the use of plastic surgery goes deeper than appearance. Loose and sagging skin, whether on the breasts, abdomen, or thighs, can contribute to chafing, increase the risk of infection as bacteria builds in the folds, and the development of yeast infections, all of which can cause sores, discomfort, and pain.

If you have lost a significant amount of weight and are experiencing unwanted side effects, now is the time to explore how plastic surgery can help you further achieve your weight loss goals. The team at Tallahassee Plastic Surgery Clinic will work with you to determine which procedures , such as a body lift, tummy tuck, arm lift, or breast lift, will help you achieve your goals. Call 850-877-2126 today to schedule a consultation and let us help you achieve your body contouring goals.