Skin tightening after weight loss: ways to remove excess skin from the abdomen

Why does excess skin remain after losing weight?

After losing a lot of weight, the body loses fat reserves. However, the skin, which has usually been stretched over a long period of time, cannot always be completely restored. Excess skin can remain visible, especially on the stomach, where fat is often particularly stubborn. This means that even after pregnancy, annoying flaps of skin can remain on the stomach.

Whether and to what extent this happens is individual and depends on various factors. These include

• Genetic predisposition: Skin elasticity is largely genetically determined. Some people have more elastic skin, which retracts faster and better after stretching. Others, on the other hand, develop excess skin even with moderate weight loss. We therefore react differently to changes in weight.
• Age: As we get older, our skin loses elasticity. The production of collagen and elastin, two proteins that ensure elastic and firm skin, decreases. This is why younger people’s skin recovers much better.
• Amount of weight loss: The greater the weight loss, the more excess skin may remain. Excess skin is therefore much more likely if more weight is lost.
• Duration of obesity: The longer the skin has been stretched, the more difficult it is for it to retract. For example, the skin fibers of people who have been severely overweight for many years are permanently overstretched.

Can excess skin recede?

Whether the excess skin disappears after losing weight depends on various factors that play a role in the formation and extent of the excess skin. For example, younger people have a better chance until their mid/late 20s, as the skin is more elastic. Between the ages of 30 and 40, this ability decreases noticeably as collagen degradation increases and elasticity decreases. Even if the excess weight did not last long, the skin is more likely to regress.

Abdominoplasty as an effective solution for excess skin

Even with the greatest effort, excess skin can sometimes not completely disappear, especially in the case of severe weight loss. The natural elasticity of our skin has its limits, especially if it has been stretched over a long period of time. In these cases, a tummy tuck is the most proven and long-lasting solution.

During this procedure, excess skin is removed and the abdominal wall is tightened. The result is a flatter stomach with tightened skin. If you suffer from physical complaints such as skin irritation or restricted movement due to the skin flaps, these problems can also be resolved, meaning that in many cases a tummy tuck is not just an aesthetic procedure.

Procedure

Our experienced team of doctors will support you with their comprehensive expertise. In a personal consultation, we take plenty of time to listen to your wishes and needs. Together we will look at which abdominoplasty method is the best choice for you and inform you about the procedure and possible risks.

During the operation, we remove excess skin tissue and tighten the area between the lower ribcage and the mons pubis. Depending on the extent of the excess skin, existing fat deposits and personal goals, various procedures are possible. If there are still stubborn fat deposits, a combination treatment of liposuction on the abdomen and abdominoplasty can also be performed. Using special incision and suture techniques, we can ensure that the scar is barely visible later on.

The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis and under gentle twilight sedation. This is followed by extensive aftercare to ensure that your wound is healing well. The final result can usually be seen after a few months and is permanent. However, a healthy diet and sufficient exercise are important.

What can you do yourself to tighten your skin after losing weight?

A tummy tuck is an extremely effective and long-lasting method of removing excess skin. The following options can provide additional support:

• Exercise and muscle building in the form of targeted abdominal exercises to stabilize the tissue
• Skin care, such as firming creams and oils with collagen or elastin
• Massages and alternating showers to stimulate blood circulation and support skin regeneration
• Healthy diet with foods rich in vitamins and minerals to promote collagen formation

Your way to a firmer stomach with CenterPlast

Do you have excess skin on your stomach after losing a lot of weight or becoming pregnant and are you getting nowhere with exercise, diet and the like? Then we will be happy to help you. With a tummy tuck, we can achieve a harmonious overall appearance and help you feel better again. Arrange your personal consultation now.