After losing a large amount of weight, most people feel delighted and rightfully proud of their accomplishment. However, folds of excess skin often remain, and no amount of exercise or dieting can make them disappear.
Plastic surgery can help. Dr. Greco offers several highly effective procedures designed to remove this redundant skin and complete your weight-loss journey, including the post-bariatric body lift, thigh lift and arm lift.
Procedures
A post-weight-loss body lift (lower body lift) is a comprehensive procedure designed to remove excess skin and residual fatty tissue from the lower abdomen, back and hips. These areas are often the most affected by extreme weight loss: after the weight is gone, the skin often appears saggy, and rolls of excess tissue can form around the hips.
Dr. Greco typically begins with an incision just above the pubic area that extends across the lower back, allowing him to remove excess tissue from the back as well. He then gently tightens the remaining skin and sutures it into its new position, leaving the lower body better contoured and more youthful. If needed, he also performs liposuction to further refine the abdomen, back and thighs.
A thigh lift removes excess skin from the inner or outer thighs and adds definition to the upper legs. It can be performed on its own or together with a lower body lift, so time in surgery varies from two to six hours. Depending on the approach, it is performed under general anesthesia or under local anesthesia with sedation.
Dr. Greco creates one or more incisions in the groin area; if extensive reshaping is needed, the incision might extend down toward the knee. He removes the redundant skin and localized fat, sutures the skin into its new position and wraps the thighs in special garments, which are often worn for several weeks to help the thighs keep their slimmer shape. The scars are permanent, but they fade over time and can be hidden by most skirts, pants and shorts.
The goal of arm lift surgery is to remove excess skin folds from the upper arms. It is most often chosen by people who have lost a large amount of weight, but sometimes also by slim patients who want to remove the “bat wings” created by natural aging.
Depending on the extent of shaping needed, Dr. Greco uses an excision technique alone or combined with liposuction. Incisions are made in the armpits or extend from the armpits toward the elbows, depending on the amount of excess tissue and the elasticity of the skin; younger patients with less excess skin often need only armpit incisions. The skin is then sutured into its new position and the arms are wrapped in pressure garments. Surgery usually takes about two to four hours.
Post-weight-loss body contouring procedures are major surgical treatments that require thorough preparation and significant recovery time. If you are considering a lower body lift, plan on about two to three weeks away from work and any physical activity other than short walks. If you combine it with other procedures, such as a thigh lift or arm lift, your recovery might be longer.
After the immediate post-surgery period, you will be able to return to work and gradually resume physical activities such as exercise, playing with your children and traveling. Swelling and bruising decrease over time and disappear completely after several months, and your scars fade and lighten until they can be concealed by most underwear and swimwear. While recovery times vary, most patients achieve their final results within six to 12 months.
Facial Rejuvenation
“It was just an instant change!”
Vickie
I am very happy with my results!! Way better than I thought it would be. The healing process was more simple than I thought. I went back to work two weeks after with no problems. I dropped another pants size after the swelling went down. Very pleased!
Dr. Greco and his staff are amazing! I am so pleased with my results and I could not ask for anything different. My body was transformed exactly as I wanted! Dr Greco is the best and has the best nurses and staff around. He is very thorough and hands down the best around!
From the very first conversation with Christa in talking about the procedure to the most recent follow-up, my experience has been overwhelmingly positive and wonderful. Dr. Greco deserves all the accolades he has received and his team of nurses are the best at what they do. They take all the time necessary to answer every question at every step of the process. I have been amazed at how well the team works together and would recommend this office and Dr. Greco specifically to anyone looking into plastic surgery.
Most amazing experience. Dr. Greco and his staff were very informative, attentive, honest and professional. Highly recommend Dr. Greco and his team to anyone! If you are looking for a surgeon that cares and with satisfactory results, then Dr. Greco is the one for you!
Dr. Greco and his staff have been nothing but amazing from day one! They answered every single one (and there were many) of my questions not only leading up to my procedure, but as well as throughout my recovery. No one ever made me feel like my questions or concerns were silly or ridiculous. Dr. Greco was also very easy to reach outside of the office when I needed him. The nursing staff went above and beyond to ensure I clearly understood all of my post-op care and that I was comfortable. I felt safe and cared for on the day of my procedure and they communicated well with my spouse. I am so grateful for Dr. Greco and his staff for helping restore my confidence as well as eliminating my lower back pain. I wish I had done this sooner!! If you’re on the fence, don’t hesitate any longer, you will NOT regret it!!
I have used him before years ago and was extremely pleased, and the second time around I was just as pleased. Very professional staff!
Happy he helped me age gracefully. Would highly recommend him to anyone who is looking!
This surgery has been life changing, it has been a confidence booster and I have been very pleased with Dr. Greco and his recommendations. He did not try to sell me on a surgery that I did not need. Very happy !
I lost about 100 pounds and still wasn’t happy with my body. As far as the excess skin and hanging. So I reached out to Dr. Greco and he helped make me feel more comfortable and more myself than I ever have. Thank you Dr. Greco!
Dr. Greco is the best plastic surgeon in Savannah. He is one talented man! He transformed my body and the results are phenomenal. He gave me my confidence back after a decade of 3 pregnancies and weight gain. I can’t stay out the mirror! I say I look better now than I did before kids. The mommy makeover is worth it! If it’s just a thought, just do it. I’d do it over again just for the results. The pain was minimal. More tender and sore than anything. I was up walking by day 3 and off pain medicine. I truly believe Dr. Greco played a huge part in my easy recovery. My scars are already starting to fade beautifully and I’m only 20 days post op. I tell everyone if you’re wanting anything done cosmetic, go to Dr. Greco. After all it’s on your body forever! His professionalism, bedside manners and opinions are on point! I can’t thank this man enough. Forever grateful.
Dr. Greco is very professional and thorough when I did my consult. He did a great job and I am very happy with the results. His staff is amazing! They are so nice, helpful and ready to answer all my questions. I would highly recommend Dr. Greco and the Georgia Institute of Plastic Surgery.
Richard J Greco, MD is a Board Certified Plastic and Reconstructive surgeon and the Co-Founder and CEO of The Georgia Institute For Plastic Surgery in Savannah, Georgia. He is a Summa Cum Laude graduate of Ursinus College and a Magna Cum Laude graduate of the Thomas Jefferson Medical College with specialized training in Aesthetic Surgery. He taught at the University of Pittsburgh and brings over 35 years of distinguished clinical experience to his patients.
Recognized as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor, a 15 year “Best of Savannah” Plastic Surgeon, and Past Vice President/Treasurer of the American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS).
Dr. Greco combines surgical precision with artistic vision to obtain safe, natural and transformative results.
