In Nashville, Body-Contouring Plastic Surgery Achieves Better Results After Ozempic & Other Weight Loss Medications

With the growing popularity of new weight loss drugs such as semaglutide (Ozempic® and Wegovy®) and tirzepatide (Zepbound® and Mounjaro), more Americans are finding it easier to lose weight. In fact, NPR recently shared a survey from the Gallup National Health and Well-Being Index, indicating the U.S. obesity rate dropped to 37%, down from almost 40% three years ago.

Unfortunately, the consequence of all that weight loss is that it changes the elastic fibers and the quality of the skin, according to Dr. Stephen M. Davis, of Green Hills Plastic Surgery in Nashville.

“After a large amount of weight loss, everything falls!” Dr. Davis says. “For example, when the belly is ballooned out from weight gain or pregnancy, the skin is being pulled, stretched, and damaged. Sometimes the skin goes back to the way it was before the weight gain. But often the skin stays stretched and ‘falls.’”

This is why so many of Dr. Davis’s Middle Tennessee patients are now opting for body contouring procedures. These procedures can help patients achieve what weight loss alone cannot accomplish — an improved body contour. In this blog, we’ll look at some of the most effective plastic surgery procedures that can achieve better results after weight loss, with resources linked below.

But first, here’s an overview of what happens to the body after significant weight loss.

After Weight Loss, Why Skin & Tissue “Fall”

According to Dr. Davis, there’s a common misconception that weight loss alone will provide desired results for body shaping and appearance. However, muscles and tissues beneath the skin can affect how you look. 

“Think of your post-weight-loss skin like making a bed,” Dr. Davis says. “If I pull up the top comforter to make the bed and I don’t move the sheets and blankets underneath, then the bed isn’t contoured and shaped the way you want it. You can see the non-tightened/non-smoothed sheets and blankets under the comforter. This is why I always think and work layer by layer for a body contouring procedure.

Popular Body Contouring Procedures After Weight Loss

Dr. Davis is seeing a growing demand for post-weight-loss procedures, as well as the post-pregnancy, mommy makeover, which includes tummy tucks, breast surgery, and targeted liposuction. Here’s a high-level overview of these popular plastic surgery procedures.

Post-Weight Loss Tummy Tuck 

Abdominoplasty, also known as a tummy tuck, is one way to address stretched, damaged skin and tissue after significant weight loss. Often, there’s a loss of muscle tone, muscle mass, and position after weight loss or pregnancy.

A tummy tuck typically targets loose skin, weakened and separated muscles (diastasis), and lower-abdomen contour. But how do you know if a tummy tuck is right for you? Dr. Davis says there are several factors that make a patient a good candidate for this type of plastic surgery procedure.

“A good candidate for a tummy tuck is healthy, at a stable weight, a non-smoker with realistic expectations,” Dr. Davis says. “I can’t stress enough the dangers of any plastic surgery procedure for people who use nicotine, because nicotine causes blood vessels to spasm. Smaller blood vessels limit oxygen flow in the body, which puts patients at risk for tissue problems.”

Breast Augmentation, Reduction, or Lift After Weight Loss

Like the belly, breasts can also sag or fall after significant weight loss. Dr. Davis says weight, skin quality, and gravity play an enormous role in the development of a falling breast. Achieving the best results with breast surgery requires addressing each of those components layer by layer.

“For my patients, they really want their bodies to look more proportional and to feel great about how they look in their clothes,” Dr. Davis says. “Breast augmentation, a breast lift, and breast reduction are all ways to accomplish this.”

Here’s a quick breakdown of common breast surgery procedures after weight loss:

• Breast Lift: A breast lift, or “mastopexy,” elevates and reshapes the breasts when the position of the breasts (not the volume) is the main concern. This surgery is designed to raise the breasts, address sagginess, and recenter the nipple on the breasts to give them a more youthful, fuller appearance. This also involves repositioning the breast volume from long and flat to a fuller cone shape that sits higher up on the chest and is more youthful and shapely.
• Breast Augmentation: This is one of the most popular procedures at Green Hills Plastic Surgery in Nashville. Increasing breast size can be accomplished with implants — saline or silicone — or in limited cases through fat transfer. Depending on skin quality, Dr. Davis may combine a breast augmentation with a breast lift, which gives an excellent result.
• Breast Reduction: Also called reduction mammaplasty, this plastic surgery procedure reduces volume and relieves symptoms, such as neck, back, and/or shoulder strain. It can also work with a breast lift to address aesthetic concerns like breast sagging after weight loss.

Targeted Liposuction for Body Contouring

Unfortunately, “miracle” drugs like Ozempic don’t always completely conquer the fat in the body. Even after significant weight loss, there can be stubborn, exercise-resistant fat cells in the body that don’t respond to exercise and dieting. Targeted liposuction can address those fat cells that don’t respond to healthier lifestyle choices. Dr. Davis clears up some common myths surrounding this popular plastic surgery procedure.

“There’s a misconception that if you get liposuction, your belly will just become smaller and you’ll be completely happy with the results,” Dr. Davis says. “But this isn’t always the case. If you have good-quality skin and isolated areas of fat, liposuction is a great operation. With the right liposuction equipment, we can achieve some skin tightening. However, going back to our ‘making the bed example,’ we cannot address the muscle with liposuction. This is where abdominoplasty is the correct procedure for achieving the desired results.”

Reach Your Goals After Weight Loss With Green Hills Plastic Surgery in Nashville

If you’re still frustrated with your appearance after weight loss, there are multiple plastic surgery procedures that can help you reach your goals. It’s important to note that everyone’s body is different, so you should consult with the plastic surgeon, Dr. Davis, who will provide you with enough information to help you set realistic goals and expectations.

“Everyone should be able to make their own choices about their bodies, which is why I try to educate each patient during the initial consultations,” Dr. Davis says. “The more my Nashville patients know, the better they do, period. This is why I spend a minimum of 45 minutes to an hour with each new patient in the initial consultation. If you want a second consultation, it’s no problem. And there’s no cost for a follow-up consultation.”

If you are considering breast surgery, a tummy tuck, liposuction, or other procedure after weight loss, contact us to schedule a consultation for straight answers tailored to you and your goals. Call us at 615-327-7407 or visit us online to schedule your consultation.