Skin tightening after weight loss in Frankfurt
Skin tightening:
At a glance
Cost
from €5,500
plus anesthesia, clinic and, if applicable, costs for 1 to 2 overnight stays
Duration
1.5 to 4 hours (depending on the effort and the regions treated)
Anesthesia
Local anesthesia or general anesthesia
Hospital stay
Outpatient, 1 to 2 overnight stays if applicable
Back to social life
After 7 to 14 days
Sports
after 4 to 6 weeks
Aftercare
Self-dissolving sutures, compression garment for 4 to 6 weeks, lymphatic drainage, regular follow-up appointments as agreed
Tightening loose skin after weight loss: abdominoplasty & body lift with Dr. Nichlos
You have successfully lost a lot of weight and now suffer from loose skin on your abdomen, legs or buttocks? Unfortunately, this is not uncommon after significant weight loss. The reason is that skin that has often been overstretched by the extra pounds over many years can no longer retract on its own. This excess of skin and tissue then often shows up as skin flaps on the buttocks or a fat apron on the lower abdomen and cannot be reduced through diet or exercise.
Plastic and aesthetic surgery offers the option of surgically removing the excess skin and then tightening the affected areas. This can reduce the visible consequences of your earlier overweight and allow you to feel comfortable in your body again. Problems such as frequent inflammation under fat aprons can also improve in many cases.
If you would like to learn more about skin tightening after weight loss, Dr. Nichlos is the right person to talk to. The specialist in plastic surgery, with many years of experience, is happy to advise you personally at our practice in Frankfurt about the possibility of a lift. Call us now or use our online form for a non-binding appointment request!
What is skin tightening after weight loss?
Skin tightening after weight loss is a surgical procedure in which excess and loose skin that can no longer retract on its own after major weight loss is removed. Because of the loss of elasticity, the skin often remains in the form of skin flaps or so-called fat aprons, especially on the abdomen, legs, arms or buttocks. The goal of skin tightening is to remove this excess skin and tighten the affected body regions in order to harmonize the body contours and reduce functional as well as aesthetic limitations. You can find information on skin tightening with the Leonardo® Laser in our guide Leonardo® Laser: The perfect finish after liposuction.
Experiences with skin tightening after weight loss at Dr. Nichlos
What are the benefits of skin tightening after weight loss in Frankfurt?
Specialist for skin tightening after weight loss in Frankfurt
Dr. med. Emmanouil Nichlos has specialized in skin tightening after weight loss for more than 17 years and has extensive experience in body contouring surgery.
Through targeted lifting operations, Dr. Nichlos removes excess skin and can restore a harmonious, firm body contour. Dr. Nichlos personally looks after freshly operated patients. In the first 24 hours after the operation, he is available to them for questions or problems.
Why does skin tightening after weight loss make sense?
After significant weight loss, excess, loose skin often remains that does not retract on its own but forms folds in which skin lies on skin. These can not only cause pain and restrict mobility, but through constant friction can also lead to redness, inflammation and even weeping wounds.
Besides the physical complaints that excess skin on the body can cause, many people suffer just as much from the outward appearance of the skin or fat apron. Shame and reduced self-esteem create great distress that can significantly affect everyday life and quality of life and, in the worst case, lead to social withdrawal and isolation. Many people therefore look for a solution such as skin tightening.
In which areas is skin tightening possible after losing weight?
In principle, excess skin can be surgically tightened in almost any area of the body. After major weight loss, the following surgical options are requested most frequently at our practice in Frankfurt:
- Tummy tuck / abdominal lift (abdominoplasty): removes excess skin on the abdomen and shapes the abdominal contour
- Breast lift for women (mastopexy): lifts and reshapes breasts that have loosened after pregnancy or with age
- Breast lift for men: removes fat cells and glandular tissue and tightens the skin (also for gynecomastia / “male breasts”)
- Arm lift (brachioplasty): tightens sagging skin on the upper arms (“bat wings”)
- Thigh lift: removes excess skin on the thighs (e.g. also after liposuction for lipedema)
- Buttock lift: tightens and reshapes the buttocks
- Mons pubis lift (monsplasty): reduces and tightens a pubic area that protrudes because of fatty tissue or excess skin
- Body contouring: combines several lifts on different parts of the body for a harmonious and aesthetically pleasing body silhouette (e.g. after gastric bypass surgery)
Depending on the extent and scope of the skin laxity and the desired result, several procedures can be combined. The linked pages describe the technique, incision placement and scar course of the individual procedures in more detail. Let Dr. Nichlos advise you on which lifting operations are best suited to harmonize your body contours.
What is important before skin tightening?
A prerequisite for a skin-tightening operation after weight loss is that you have already reached your target weight and have maintained it for at least six months. In addition, you should be in good general health. Please inform Dr. Nichlos about any chronic pre-existing conditions (e.g. high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, diabetes) and medications you take regularly. It may be necessary to temporarily stop certain medications in consultation with him. With acute infections or inflammation, an operation is not possible; please postpone the appointment to a later date.
It is important to have realistic expectations of the procedure. Plastic and aesthetic surgery can surgically remove a fat apron or other excess skin folds and optimize the body silhouette, but cannot guarantee a “perfect shape.”
Even though Dr. Nichlos places every incision as scar-sparing as possible, scars remain after skin tightening and, depending on the type of procedure, are later visible as fine lines. You must also be aware that the surgical result can only last through lasting lifestyle changes, i.e. a change in diet, exercise and a stable weight.
Skin tightening after weight loss in Frankfurt: How does the surgery work?
Depending on where and how much excess skin is to be removed, skin tightening takes 1.5 to 4 hours and, depending on the scope, is performed under local anesthesia or general anesthesia. First, Dr. Nichlos marks the excess skin to be removed in the relevant areas (e.g. on the abdomen, breasts, arms, thighs, buttocks). Once the anesthesia takes effect, he makes precise incisions and then removes the excess skin and, if necessary, some fatty tissue. The remaining tissue layers are then tightened and re-sutured with self-dissolving sutures.
Immediately after the lift, the compression garment is put on, which you wear for 4 to 6 weeks. If applicable, a stay of 1 to 2 overnight stays at our affiliated clinic makes sense so that the healing process can be monitored from the start. During this and the following period, good aftercare is required, to which you can contribute a great deal through your behavior.
Healing after skin tightening: What you should keep in mind
One of the most important things to do after the lift is to wear the compression garment consistently. It applies steady pressure to the tissue in the treated body regions and thereby supports the drainage of wound fluid, the healing process and the result.
Depending on the location and scope of the treatment, the tips for the right behavior after treatment may differ somewhat. As a rule, however, you should avoid sports and other physical exertion during the time you are supposed to wear the compression garment (4 to 6 weeks). You are usually socially presentable after 7 to 14 days. After that, start with light exercises and then increase your training slowly.
Important: later weight fluctuations can change the result of the lift and should therefore be avoided at all costs. Make sure to get enough exercise and eat a healthy diet.
What are the risks of skin tightening after losing weight?
Skin tightening also involves general surgical risks, which include secondary bleeding, wound healing problems or infections, among others. These can generally be reduced by having the procedure performed properly by an experienced physician.
Specific side effects of the treatment cannot be ruled out, such as slight redness, bruising or swelling in the treated area; temporary sensory disturbances or numbness can also occur around the wound, or lymph or tissue fluid can collect in the tissue. This makes it all the more important to follow the aftercare instructions and attend the follow-up examinations after the treatment.
How much does skin tightening after weight loss cost?
In addition, the following costs may arise with skin tightening after weight loss:
For procedures at our partner clinics, these services are billed directly by the respective clinic.
To financingWhat is included in the price?
The total cost of skin tightening is made up of several medical services that are necessary around the surgical procedure. As a rule, these include:
- detailed consultation (€100, fully credited if you go ahead with the treatment)
- examination of the affected body regions and individual treatment planning
- surgical procedure by the specialist in plastic and aesthetic surgery
- medical care during the operation
- compression garment for the healing phase
- aftercare and follow-up appointments
The cost of skin tightening after major weight loss depends on which body areas are to be treated and how pronounced the excess skin is. This often concerns regions such as the abdomen, upper arms, thighs or buttocks, and sometimes several areas are combined in one treatment plan.
At our practice in Frankfurt, the cost of skin tightening after weight loss generally starts at:
- Skin tightening after weight loss: from €5,500
The final price depends, among other things, on the number of body regions to be treated, the scope of the operation and the duration of the procedure. After a detailed examination, Dr. med. Nichlos prepares an individual treatment and cost plan that presents all services of the operation transparently.
Can you finance skin tightening?
Since the scope of skin tightening is planned individually and can vary depending on the body region, it is generally possible to finance it through monthly installments.
Financing is arranged through an external financing partner and can be structured flexibly depending on creditworthiness. This allows the cost of the treatment to be conveniently spread over a monthly installment.
We are happy to inform you in detail about the financing options during a personal consultation.
Finance your desired treatment flexibly
You have the option of paying your treatment costs conveniently in monthly installments, tailored to your financial situation. The application is straightforward, and processing is handled by our financing partner.
Your benefits at a glance:
- Flexible monthly installments for medical and cosmetic services
- Terms of up to 72 months to choose from
- Financing also possible for smaller amounts
- Desired amount and installment size freely selectable
- Attractive terms with an effective annual interest rate of 9.90% and a fixed nominal interest rate of 9.48%
- Apply conveniently online or submit the form as a PDF
- Financing only through participating partners, subject to creditworthiness
Non-binding example calculation from a financing amount of €300 with an effective annual interest rate of 9.90% and a fixed nominal interest rate of 9.48%. Financing only through participating partners, subject to creditworthiness.
To the installment calculator
Medically reviewed by Dr. med. Emmanouil Nichlos
Dr. med. Emmanouil Nichlos is a specialist in plastic and aesthetic surgery in Frankfurt and has specialized for more than 17 years in skin tightening after weight loss as well as reconstructive and aesthetic body contouring procedures.
All content on this page has been personally reviewed by him and reflects the current medical knowledge and the specialist standards of plastic and aesthetic surgery.
Frequently asked questions about skin tightening after weight loss in Frankfurt
How do you get firm skin after losing weight?
If the skin does not retract on its own after major weight loss, the excess cannot be reduced through diet or exercise. One option is the surgical removal of the excess skin; the areas that come into question are shown in the overview on this page. On soft areas of skin, the Leonardo® Laser can also be used for tightening after liposuction. Dr. Nichlos clarifies what makes sense for you during the examination.
Do I need skin tightening on the whole body or is a single region enough?
That depends on where the skin has loosened. Typical areas are the abdomen, thighs, buttocks, upper arms or breasts. If only one region is affected, a single lift may be enough; you can find its procedure and scar placement on the respective page. With several regions, procedures can be combined, and Dr. Nichlos decides with you whether in one or in several sessions.
When is the final result visible?
The result is usually visible after a few months, once the swelling has fully subsided. Scars generally need a year to mature fully.
When does health insurance pay for skin tightening after weight loss?
Dr. Nichlos does not hold statutory health insurance accreditation and bills privately only, so billing with statutory health insurance is not possible with him. You therefore bear the cost of the treatment as a self-pay patient.
Private health insurers review reimbursement on a case-by-case basis, especially when medical complaints such as chronic skin irritation or restricted movement are present. Please clarify this with your insurer beforehand; we cannot give any assurance of coverage.
Is skin tightening possible after weight-loss injections or gastric bypass?
Whether through diet, exercise, weight-loss injections or gastric bypass surgery: for planning, what matters is that you have reached your target weight and have maintained it for at least six months. After very major weight loss, for example after gastric bypass surgery, Dr. Nichlos combines several lifts on different parts of the body as body contouring if needed. The examination clarifies whether this makes sense for you.
How is an apron belly removed?
Dr. Nichlos removes a fat apron on the lower abdomen with a tummy tuck: excess skin and tissue are removed, the abdominal wall is tightened and the belly button is repositioned if needed. Depending on the findings, this is a mini tummy tuck or a full tummy tuck. With very pronounced excess skin after massive weight loss, it can be combined with a buttock lift to form a body lift.
Your practice in Frankfurt’s Westend
At our practice on Grüneburgweg, Dr. Nichlos takes the time for your personal consultation. Bright rooms, short distances and a calm atmosphere help you feel well looked after from your first appointment.
Preliminary examination, consultation and aftercare take place here. Dr. Nichlos performs the surgery itself at the affiliated clinic in Frankfurt.
Plastic Surgery Dr. Emmanouil Nichlos
Grüneburgweg 95, 60323 Frankfurt am Main
Schedule a consultation now
Would you like to take the next step toward feeling new in your body after your weight loss and have the bothersome excess skin removed? At our plastic surgery practice in Frankfurt, Dr. Nichlos is happy to welcome you for a personal consultation and explain which skin tightening options are available in your specific case. Call us now or use our online form to send us your appointment request.
- 1Send your inquiry via the form
- 2We will get back to you promptly
- 3Personal consultation with Dr. Nichlos at the practice
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