Case 1:
Before | After |
 |
 |
 |
| Before and after extended tummy tuck, leg lift, and pubic lift by Dr LoMonaco. Not all patients have a circumferential excess of skin and so may not need a full lower body lift. |
A Special Word for Weight Loss Patients
Weight loss patients, or patients who have undergone bariatric surgery, pose special concerns for the plastic surgeon. There is usually a marked excess of skin, and that skin has often been damaged by extreme fluctuations in weight. The longer a person has been overweight, the more pronounced the skin laxity will be. Age and nutritional status also play important roles in how the skin responds to weight loss and the lifting and tightening procedures of plastic surgery.
|
Case 2:
Before | After |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Before and after lower body lift by Dr LoMonaco. The inner thigh lift will be done at a later stage. More buttock fullness can be accomplished with buttock auto-augmentation. |
Goal Weight and Timing of Surgery
Dr. LoMonaco will discuss with you the proper timing of surgery. Rather than fixate on a certain goal weight, he may decide to wait until you reach a stable weight over several months. Consultation with your bariatric surgeon may be needed, but most patients can consider plastic surgery about 1 year after their bariatric surgery The timing of surgery also depends on your original weight, your current BMI and body fat percentage, and the type of weight loss surgery you have had.
|
Case 3:
Before | After |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Before and after lower body lift by Dr LoMonaco. The inner thigh lift will be done at a later stage. Patients over age 40, or those with advanced skin damage from massive weight loss will not have as much smoothing of the legs. |
We Build Safety Into The System
Plastic surgery after weight loss poses increased risks of bleeding, infection, delayed wound healing, and need for revision surgery compared to standard cosmetic surgery. As such, it is critical to have systems and personnel in place to address all possible complications or problems.
Dr LoMonaco operates only at accredited facilities with a 24 hour doctor in house, a fully staffed hospital ICU, blood bank, laboratory, and radiology services. In addition, the protocols for aftercare of all patients while in the hospital is standardized, so that care after complex cases becomes more predictable and routine for hospital staff.
|
Case 4:
Before | After |
 |
 |
 |
| Before and after lower body lift by Dr LoMonaco. The port for her Lap-Band was relocated. A pubic lift is often an important part of body contouring after massive weight loss and should be done without elevating the hairline or final scar too close to the belly button. |
Fluid collections after surgery
Because a large amount of skin is often removed, space is left beneath the skin. Drains are placed to remove this fluid until your body is healed. This process can take many weeks. Drain care is simple and can be done at home, but your doctor will tell you about your chances of developing a fluid collection. The retained fluid can become infected and require aspiration or re-insertion of drains to treat. Hospitalization is rarely needed but is a possibility. Wearing your compression garment and following your doctor’s directions after surgery can help minimize the chances of a fluid collection after surgery.
|
Case 5:
Before | After |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Before and after lower body lift by Dr LoMonaco. Younger patients will have the best tightening of the skin. This patient had very little inner thigh skin excess. |
Insurance, Costs and Financing
Surgery to remove excess skin may be covered by insurance but only if you have significant medical problems from the excess skin. This means multiple visits to the doctor for skin rashes or infections with prescription medication. Patients who have an abdominal hernia may also receive help from insurance at the time of excess skin removal. Check the section PATIENT RESOURCES to learn more about insurance coverage. Dr LoMonaco's office has various financing plans to help you meet the out of pocket costs associated with many procedures. Approval for financing can often be accomplished in one day.
|
Case 6:
Before | After |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Before and after lower body lift by Dr LoMonaco. This patient had some residual body fat, which did not cause too much flattening of the buttocks. She may opt for a inner thigh lift later. |
More is More
As part of your surgical fee for a Lower Body Lift, Dr. LoMonaco's office includes at no additional cost some important items and services for your comfort, safety, and convienience. We enroll all of our patient in the Cosmetassure (R) program at no additional cost. This new insurance program covers costs associated with all complications that occur within the first month of surgery. No health insurance is needed for you to receive benefits from Cosmetassure. We also include a pain pump and medication for the first 2-3 days after surgery at no additional cost. The pain pump system often allows patients to lessen their dose of narcotics and pills after surgery, and can greatly aid in recovery.
|
Case 7:
Before | After |
 |
 |
 |
| Before and after lower body lift by Dr LoMonaco. This patient had a 150lb weight loss and will benefit from retightening the legs at the time of her inner thigh lift in the future. |
|
Case 8:
Before | After |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Before and after lower body lift by Dr LoMonaco. Her inner thigh lift will be done at a later stage. The scar is placed very low, so that it can be easily covered by most underwear. |
|
Case 9:
Before | After |
|
|
|
| Before and after lower body lift by Dr LoMonaco. Her inner thigh lift will be done at a later stage. The scar is placed very low, so that it can be easily covered by most underwear. |
|
Case 10:
Before | After |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Before and after lower body lift by Dr LoMonaco. Even at 10 months postop, she still has some swelling of the lower abdomen. |
Nutrition
All weight loss patients have special nutritional needs. Before surgery, it is very important to be sure you are getting enough protein intake. This is essential for normal healing. Your vitamin absorption may also be limited, and proper intake of vitamins is also needed to ensure the best nutritional status before surgery. Your doctor will perform blood tests before surgery to determine any deficiency you may have. Excessive dieting before surgery should be avoided, as it can lead to poor nutrition and cause healing problems.
Some patients may develop a mild anemia after weight loss surgery, and this should also be corrected as much as possible before surgery. The anemia may make a blood transfusion more likely, and your doctor will discuss this issue carefully with you. Several options are available in case a blood transfusion is needed after surgery.
|
Case 11:
Before | After |
 |
 |
 |
| Before and after lower body lift by Dr LoMonaco. Tightening of the lower thighs near the knees can be difficult to accomplish in patients who have a large amount of excess near the knees. |
|
Case 12:
Before | After |
 |
 |
 |
| Before and after lower body lift by Dr LoMonaco. Tightening of the lower thighs near the knees can be difficult to accomplish in patients who have a large amount of excess near the knees. Her scar for the buttock is concealable, but has widened and may benefit from a revision. |
Out of Town Patients
Dr LoMonaco's practice routinely accomodates out of town guests. We have avialable a service to provide care and transportation if needed during your stay in Houston. We also have arrangements with several hotels and bed and breakfasts in the area, and include in the cost of your surgery a one week stay at one of these locations. Initial consultations and basic medical screening with the doctor can often be accomplished via the internet and phone, and many patients are able to make a single trip to Houston for their procedures. Followup care is usally for 10 days to 2 weeks, and arrangements with a local doctor back home are recommended. Contact our office for further details.
|
Case 13:
Before | After |
| 
|
 | 
|
Before and after lower body lift by Dr LoMonaco. Fat can be moved from the hips to "round out" the buttocks and provide a more pleasing shape.
|
Case 14:
Before | After |
 |  |
Male patients may also develop large amounts of excess skin of the abdomen and inner thighs. This patient underwent correction of the abdomen, arms, and legs as staged procedures.
|
Your emotional status before and after surgery
Weight loss surgery represents a major change in a person’s life. Often, there is a period of time needed to adapt to these new changes. Friends and family may have mixed feelings about the weight loss surgery, plastic surgery, or both. Take time to work through these issues before surgery so that you and those around you are comfortable with your decision. Enlist your doctor’s help to explain the procedures and the recovery process to those close to you. Many times, they are more concerned about your comfort and safety than you are! Plastic surgery after weight loss is a big decision, but can go a long way to give you a feeling of normalcy, control, and help restore your self-confidence. |
| | |
| | |
| |
| Notice of Privacy Practices |
