What Causes Excess Skin After Weight Loss?

When you lose a large amount of weight, your body feels the difference immediately. What many people do not expect is how their skin reacts. Skin is a living organ with fibers that stretch and sometimes lose their ability to contract, leaving you with sagging skin that makes it hard to enjoy your results.

At Bella Cosmetic Surgery in National Harbor, Maryland, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Michael Chiaramonte has advanced training from Johns Hopkins Hospital and a reputation for developing innovative procedures like the Bella Body Lift. Dr. Chiaramonte works closely with men and women from Alexandria, Clinton, and beyond to remove excess skin and balance your shape. His goal is to help you feel good in your body again and enjoy the full results of your hard work.

Why Skin Doesn’t Always Shrink Back After Weight Loss

Your skin is made up of proteins like collagen and elastin that give it strength and flexibility. When your body gains weight, your skin stretches to cover the extra tissue. If it stretches too far or stays stretched for a long time, those proteins break down. This makes it harder for your skin to retract after the fat underneath is gone.

Several factors play a role in whether you end up with loose skin. The more weight you lose, and the faster you lose it, the more likely you are to notice sagging. 

Your age also matters because collagen production slows down over time. Genetics and lifestyle habits like smoking can further affect how elastic your skin remains. 

How Excess Skin Affects You

Extra skin is more than a cosmetic concern. Many people deal with rashes, irritation, or discomfort during exercise when skin folds rub together. Clothes may not fit the way you hoped after weight loss, and the loose skin can make you feel self-conscious even after working so hard to improve your health.

Surgical Options at Bella Cosmetic Surgery

The good news is that surgery can remove or reshape this extra skin. Procedures like a tummy tuck, panniculectomy, or circumferential abdominoplasty target specific areas depending on your needs. 

Dr. Michael Chiaramonte created the Bella Body Lift, which combines a tummy tuck with liposuction to contour your entire midsection in one surgery. 

Explore Your Options

Living with extra skin after weight loss is not your only choice. Contact Bella Cosmetic Surgery in National Harbor today at 301-567-6767 to schedule a consultation and discuss body contouring solutions.