Obesity doesn’t happen overnight. It results from years and years of weight gain, which stretches out the body beyond a “normal body weight.” While bariatric surgery offers substantial weight loss in a short amount of time, patients can be left with uncomfortable and unflattering sagging skin. The more weight you lose, the more excess skin you can have.

That is where post-bariatric body contouring comes into play!

Why Undergo Post-Bariatric Body Contouring?

Once the rapid weight loss begins, patients are left with large rolls of excess, saggy skin to tuck away or conceal under their clothes. Changes in the lower abdomen (pannus or apron), upper arms, thighs, and other areas become noticeable and upsetting. At the same time, hanging pockets of the coat can cover the buttocks and groin, which causes irritation and hygiene issues from constant rubbing between skin folds.

To have a total body transformation, patients can undergo cosmetic surgery after bariatric surgery.

What is a Total Transformation?

A Total Body Transformation is when a bariatric patient undergoes plastic or cosmetic surgery after losing significant weight. For example, if a gastric sleeve patient loses over 100 pounds, they may want to have their stretched-out skin by their thighs surgically removed to complete their transformation.

These post-bariatric cosmetic procedures include:

Total Transformations

Here are real-life patients who have undergone a Total Transformation: life-saving weight loss surgery and post-bariatric plastic surgery.

Total Transformation - Joyce Osborne West - Gastric Sleeve to Mommy Makeover

Joyce

Gastric Sleeve to Mommy Makeover

  • Weight Loss Procedure: Gastric Sleeve
  • Bariatric Surgery Date: October 8, 2016
  • Plastic Surgery Procedure: Tummy Tuck, Lipo Suction Contouring, and Fat Transfer to Butt
  • Plastic Surgery Date: June 6, 2018

“Never in my life have I ever thought I would hate to leave from a hospital stay, but my amazing doctor and the Mexico Bariatric Center team showed me and my companion so much love and cared for us so well. We were both sad to check out! Thank you for giving me my second chance!!!

Now on the road to recovery and a new me!!

We will be back in Tijuana!!!!!

Total Transformation - Jen L - Gastric Sleeve to 360 Tummy Tuck w Muscle Repair & Arm Lift

Jen

Gastric Sleeve to 360 Tummy Tuck w/ Muscle Repair & Arm Lift

  • Weight Loss Procedure: Gastric Sleeve
  • Bariatric Surgery Date: May 5th, 2019
  • Plastic Surgery Procedure: Mommy Makeover (360 lift, breast lift with implants)
  • PlasticSurgery Date: November 7, 2020
  • HW: 340 lbs
  • SW: 275 lbs
  • CW: 180 lbs
  • From a size 3X top and 24 pants to size small tops and size 8/10 pants

One year ago, I made the best decision for my physical and emotional health – and I was so ashamed that I was doing it. I told three people I was going. I honestly believed that it was a cop-out, that I had failed to lose weight the “right” way. In reality, my body had turned against me, and surgery (for me) was the best choice.

In the past year, my thyroid has started to produce levels within the normal range WITHOUT needing any medications for the first time in 16 years. I have lost 100 pounds of physical weight and countless pounds of emotional baggage. I can see the old me (pre-pregnancy and pre thyroid shut down) coming back. I am happier, more confident, and am living my life instead of feeling like an outsider looking in.

Thank you, MBC, for helping me gain my life back!

Total Transformation - Jennifer G - Gastric Sleeve to Mommy Makeover

Jennifer

Gastric Sleeve to Mommy Makeover

  • Weight Loss Procedure: Gastric Sleeve
  • Bariatric Surgery Date: October 2019
  • Plastic Surgery Procedure: Mommy Makeover (360 lift, breast lift with implants)
  • PlasticSurgery Date: February 18, 2020
  • HW 240 lbs
  • SW 234 lbs
  • CW 154 lbs
  • GW 150 lbs (I fluctuate between 151-157) and that’s perfect for me)

“I never posted my one year, so I decided to do a comparison photo. 13 MPO (Months Post Op) Gastric Sleeve with Dr. Valenzuela last March, best decision I’ve ever made for myself. It’s not an easy journey but worth every single minute! I think back to the days I was frustrated because I was stalled…YET AGAIN. I swear it felt like I was constantly stalled and yet I still lost 88 lbs. in a year….it does work. It’s working even when you think it’s not!”

Total Transformation - Laura Zollinhofer - Gastric Sleeve to Mommy Makeover

Laura

Gastric Sleeve to Mommy Makeover, Facelift, and BBL

  • Weight Loss Procedure: Gastric Sleeve
  • Bariatric Surgery Date: September 30, 2015
  • Plastic Surgery Procedure: Mini Facelift with Laser Ablation, Breast Augmentation, Liposuction, Thigh Lift, and a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL)
  • PlasticSurgery Date: October 22, 2020
  • HW 210 lbs
  • SW 192 lbs
  • CW 127 lbs
  • Size: 18 to a 2/4

“I have yo-yoed my whole teenage/adult life, Done every fad and non-fad diet that is out there. It would work for a year or two and I would get down to a great weight for me, and then it would come back plus more. In 2015, I was back up to 200 pounds and prediabetic yet again. Obviously, at 200 pounds, I did not qualify for bariatric surgery in the United States because I was not heavy enough nor sick enough.

I had a couple of friends that had their surgery done in Mexico, so I figured why not give it a try. I did a lot of research and found Mexico Bariatric Center. Read the reviews of all the doctors and decided that I wanted to go with Dr. Valenzuela who is amazing! I have referred several friends and took my cousin to get our surgeries done.

I went from 210 pounds down to 127, way too small. Between my skin and the lack of muscle from all the weight loss, I was just saggy everywhere. So, for my five-year surgery anniversary, I gifted myself a major plastic surgery makeover! I got a mini facelift with laser ablation, breast augmentation, liposuction, A thigh lift, and a Brazilian butt lift. Everything is still healing and some things took better than others. The transformation that I see already is fantastic!”

Total Transformation - Kristen Carter - Gastric Sleeve to Mommy Makeover

Kristen

Gastric Sleeve to Inverted Mommy Makeover

  • Weight Loss Procedure: Gastric Sleeve
  • Bariatric Surgery Date: October 2016
  • Plastic Surgery Procedure: Inverted Tummy Tuck, Excess Skin Removal, Tightening of Muscles, Stomach Shaping
  • PlasticSurgery Date: October 22, 2020
  • HW 320 lbs
  • SW 267 lbs
  • CW 150 lbs

“I had my sleeve done in October of 2016. I am 1 year and 2 months out. I think I may have lost weight slower than most. However, I exceeded my goals. I am now a Normal BMI.
I have had an Inverted T tummy tuck done. They took off 5.5 pounds of skin, shaped my stomach & toned my muscle.

So, in the end, it would have cost me as much as I paid out of pocket for it. Insurance will not cover the tightening of the muscles, if you do try to go down the insurance route be prepared to pay out of pocket for that procedure. You should always have the muscles tightened during any tummy procedure. (this info was to be as helpful as possible since I always see people curious about the side of the plastic of things). I still have 2 skin surgeries to go through so that’s about 5 more pounds of skin that will be removed over the next 2 years.”

Do you qualify for excess skin removal?

If you are interested in body contouring and finishing a Total Transformation, there are factors to consider. With body contouring, the various incisions can cause permanent scarring. Fortunately, surgeons make sure that these scars are as unnoticeable as possible. 

Here are several factors in qualifying:

  • At least six months of weight stability
  • General good health without chronic medical conditions such as diabetes and heart disease
  • Recommended two years after weight loss surgery
  • At least six weeks of being smoke-free
  • Healthy eating habits

Body Contouring can also be a lengthy process, and patients should prepare for the procedure mentally. Weight gain and other lifestyle decisions can also impair and reverse the positive impacts of these surgeries. You and your certified plastics surgeon can schedule this elective surgery on an in-patient or out-patient basis.

Contact a Coordinator at Mexico Bariatric Center to see which surgery option is best for you.

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