Body Contouring
After Weight Loss

After losing a significant amount of weight you may feel like your journey’s not quite over. This is an exciting, yet challenging time and at CARE we’re here to partner with, educate, and guide you as you explore your plastic surgery options after weight loss. Dr. Coan and the experienced team at CARE will be with you every step of the way to help you reach your destination of reflecting the beauty you feel on the inside to the world outside.
Once achieving significant weight loss on your journey – either through dietary changes or bariatric/weight loss surgery (gastric bypass, gastric sleeve, gastric band, and duodenal switch) – many patients report feeling healthier, yet many also feel as though their body may not reflect how they feel. Skin quality and elasticity are often compromised and don’t fully “spring back” after significant weight loss. The excess skin that remains can cause discomfort, irritation, and overall frustration.

Before Plastic Surgery, after Weight Loss Quotes Some Patients Have Reported:

• “I’m tired of my batwing arms.”
• “I wish I felt comfortable standing in front of a mirror looking at myself.”
• “This excess skin is a reminder of where I was. . . I’m ready to break out and show off the new me!”
• “I want to be able to roll around on the floor with my grandchildren.”
• “I’m not comfortable being intimate with my partner because I feel self-conscious about my excess skin.”
• “I’ve come this far and this is going to be the final step.”

For many patients, body contouring involves a series of procedures that eliminate excess skin. These procedures may range from a lower body lift, breast reduction and lift, Brachioplasty (arm lift), and thigh lift. Combining liposuction with various procedures is beneficial for stubborn deposits of fat to create a more proportional/balanced contour of the body.
At CARE Plastic Surgery, Dr. Brian S. Coan specializes in total body contouring after weight loss. His plastic surgery results have earned him numerous awards and distinctions both locally and nationally. Named Durham’s Best Plastic Surgeon every year since its inception in 2010 by Durham Magazine in North Carolina has been a great honor. Dr. Coan was also recently featured on the Emmy award-winning TV show The Doctors for his life-changing body contouring after a weight loss procedure performed on internet figure Tevante Clark (for a link to his personal story click here).
Dr. Coan is board-certified in Plastic and Reconstructive surgery and is a member of the most world-renowned plastic surgery societies including the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS). They are passionate about guiding, educating, and caring for weight loss patients.
CARE Plastic Surgery is committed to providing patients with extraordinary aesthetic results always with the highest standards of safety. During your body contouring consultation, Dr. Coan will discuss the most suitable procedures to create a treatment plan that meets your aesthetic aspirations. Each body contouring plastic surgery procedure is customized to your body and goals.

What Are Typical Body Contouring Procedures After Weight Loss?

• Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) – to reduce excess skin, tighten loose muscles, reduce excess fat
• Buttock Lift – to lift and/or augment the buttocks
• Lower Body Lift Belt Lipectomy or Tummy Tuck combined with Buttock Lift – sometimes referred to as “around the world” or “circumferential 360°” tummy tuck – this procedure lifts and tightens the skin around the entire waistline including front, back, and sides
• Facelift – to reduce pronounced jowls, hanging skin, and “turkey neck”
• Arm Lift (Brachioplasty) – to reduce “batwing” arms (excess skin hanging from arms)
• Thigh Lift (Thighplasty) – to reduce thighs that chafe and cause discomfort due to excess skin
• Breast Lift (Mastopexy) – to reduce hanging, sagging breasts and/or lift and possibly reduce nipples
• Breast Lift/Breast Augmentation – to lift sagging breasts and increase lost breast volume
• Breast Reduction – to reduce breast size and reduce discomfort from large breasts
• Male Breast Reduction – to reduce excess skin, fat, and/or tissue from male breasts (nipple reduction may also be included)
• Liposuction – to reduce excess adipose/fat from stubborn areas (including arms, abdomen, neck, thighs, groin/mons, back)
• Labiaplasty/Groin Surgery – to address the groin area and excess skin/fat

Can Body Contouring Procedures Be Done Simultaneously?

Combining procedures is determined on a case-by-case basis. Frequently, more than one body contouring procedure can be combined, such as a lower body lift with a breast lift. If you are a candidate for several body contouring procedures, you will need to have more than one surgical session. Our CARE specialists will listen to your priorities and create a customized surgical plan for the stages of your procedures. The ultimate goal is to be able to get back to enjoying life as soon as possible.

What Can You Expect During Recovery From Body Contouring After Weight Loss?

The recovery period after a body contouring procedure is unique depending on your case. The amount of time you must take off from work and other activities is determined by the specific body contouring procedure or procedures, the amount of tissue removed, and your general health.
For several of the procedures, you will need to wear a custom-fit support garment for up to six weeks post-surgery. You will be informed before your surgery how much time you will need off from work. You will feel sore for several days to weeks. In the majority of cases, there is little or no bruising. Swelling will take several weeks or months to fully resolve, and after some procedures, such as the lower body lift, it may be difficult to walk completely upright for several days. For more involved procedures, you may not be able to resume exercise or heavy lifting for up to six weeks.

Our Partners at True You

True You Weight Loss is the nation’s first and only physician-founded medical practice exclusively focused on providing non-surgical, state-of-the-art weight loss procedures and support. CARE Plastic Surgery is a proud surgical partner to Dr. McGowan and the team at True You. Learn more at trueyouweightloss.com.

Meet Dr. Coan

Award-winning, nationally renowned, double board-certified Plastic Surgeon and a member of the distinguished Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS).

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Real Testimonials

When I had the initial surgery, I wanted to feel better in my clothes and look better. After the surgery, I realize that it changes your body mechanics too!  I can run-not a fast jog- for the first time in 30 years!

It is an indescribable feeling to have a youthful body again, not only appearance-wise, but being able to do things you haven’t thought about in years!

- Verified Care Plastic Surgery Patient

I could not be happier with my decision to go with Dr. Coan! Not only did my body lift come out FABULOUS but I went back 2 months later and had my breast and arms done! When I look in the mirror I cannot believe what Dr. Coan has accomplished!

- Verified Care Plastic Surgery Patient

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Patient Stories

Learn about our amazing patient experience and see what you can expect from the CARE team.

• Kelley
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I am so happy and I feel so confident!

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New Patient Resources

Need to know more about our process? Check out a few of our blog posts below.

Dr. Brian Coan Featured on “The Doctors” TV Show for Post-Weight Loss Body Contouring

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