Body Contouring After Major Weight LossHuntington Station, NY
Serving patients in Huntington Station & Suffolk County, NY
Serving patients in Huntington Station & Suffolk County, NY
Losing a significant amount of weight, whether through lifestyle changes, pregnancy recovery, or bariatric surgery, is a tremendous accomplishment. Yet for many, the journey doesn’t end there. Loose, stretched skin and remaining areas of stubborn fat can conceal the results of your hard work, leaving you feeling frustrated and self-conscious.
Board-certified plastic surgeon Charlotte Ann Rhee, MD, PC, specializes in post-weight-loss body contouring surgery, helping patients complete their transformation with smooth, natural, and proportionate results. Known for her compassionate care and artistic precision, Dr. Rhee tailors each treatment plan to your unique anatomy, goals, and stage of healing, because your body deserves a finish that reflects your strength and effort.
Remove excess skin and refine body contours after major weight loss
Abdomen, thighs, arms, breasts, buttocks, flanks
Varies (2–6 hours, depending on the surgeries performed)
General anesthesia
2–6 weeks, depending on the extent of surgery
Tighter, smoother contours with improved comfort and balance
Body contouring is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat from areas of the body affected by weight loss. It can be used to improve the appearance of the abdomen, thighs, arms, breasts, and face. It is designed to remove excess skin, tighten underlying tissues, and restore proportional shape after significant weight loss or pregnancy.
Because no two bodies or journeys are alike, Dr. Rhee customizes every body contouring plan to fit your needs. She may recommend one or several procedures—such as tummy tuck, arm lift, thigh lift, breast lift, or lower body lift—performed together or in stages for the safest and most comprehensive transformation.
Body contouring is performed under general anesthesia at Dr. Rhee’s accredited surgical facility. During surgery, Dr. Rhee makes carefully planned incisions in areas of excess skin, removes stretched tissue, and repositions the remaining skin to create a smooth, natural contour. When appropriate, she may also tighten underlying muscles or use liposuction to refine transitions between treated areas.
Each procedure is customized. Some patients focus on one area (such as the abdomen or thighs), while others combine multiple regions for more dramatic, harmonious results. Once contouring is complete, Dr. Rhee closes the incisions with fine sutures to minimize scarring and applies compression garments to support healing.
What Are The Different Types Of Body Contouring Procedures?
There are various types of body contouring procedures, each tailored to the specific area being treated.
Some of the most common methods include:
After significant weight loss, the skin may not shrink to match your new shape, leading to sagging, folds, or discomfort. Body contouring addresses:
By tightening and refining the skin and tissue, body contouring allows your true results, and confidence, to shine through.
Dr. Rhee customizes each body contouring procedure to the patient's specific needs. For many patients, combining procedures helps achieve balance and proportion across the entire figure. Depending on your goals, your personalized treatment plan may address various areas of the body, including:
Body contouring is both physically and emotionally transformative. It’s about restoring freedom—freedom to move, to dress comfortably, and to see your effort reflected in the mirror.
Key benefits include:
Patients often describe the experience as a “final step” in their journey, a way to fully embrace the body they’ve worked so hard to achieve.
A good candidate for body contouring after major weight loss is someone who has lost a significant amount of weight (at least 50 pounds) and has maintained a stable weight for at least six months. The skin in the areas to be treated should be loose and unable to tighten on its own. Individuals in good overall health and those with realistic expectations for the procedure are also good candidates. If you are considering body contouring after major weight loss, it is important to talk to a qualified plastic surgeon to discuss your options and expectations.
Here are some additional things to keep in mind about body contouring after major weight loss:
Dr. Rhee will discuss your medical history, examine your areas of concern, and develop a customized plan that prioritizes safety, proportion, and long-term satisfaction.
After surgery, patients wear compression garments to minimize swelling and support healing. Light walking is encouraged early to promote circulation, but strenuous activities should be avoided for several weeks.
Recovery time varies depending on the extent of the surgery. Most patients can return to light activities within 2 weeks and resume their full routines within 4 to 6 weeks. Dr. Rhee provides personalized recovery instructions and maintains close follow-up to ensure a smooth, comfortable healing process.
The results of body contouring can be dramatic, significantly improving a person's self-confidence and overall quality of life. However, it is important to remember that body contouring is not a miracle cure. It cannot eliminate the effects of weight loss, and some loose skin and fat will remain.
Your results will gradually emerge as swelling resolves, revealing a smoother, tighter, and more balanced silhouette. Scars are strategically placed to be as discreet as possible and will fade with time. With a stable weight and healthy habits, your results can last for many years, helping you enjoy the freedom, comfort, and confidence you’ve earned through your transformation.
When you come to see Dr. Charlotte Ann Rhee, you’re visiting a board-certified female plastic surgeon with over 30 years of experience helping patients achieve beautiful, natural results.
Her expertise in post-weight-loss and reconstructive body contouring has made her a trusted choice for patients across Long Island and Suffolk County. Known for her compassionate bedside manner and meticulous surgical precision, Dr. Rhee creates outcomes that reflect balance, proportion, and authenticity.
At her boutique private practice in Huntington Station, NY, every patient receives concierge-level care and the confidence of being truly understood. If you are considering body contouring, schedule a consultation with Dr. Rhee at (631) 424-6707 to discuss your goals and explore your options.
Insurance may cover body contouring procedures if they are deemed medically necessary. This is usually only the case if the excess skin is causing physical problems, such as difficulty moving or skin infections.
It’s best to wait until your weight has stabilized for at least 6–12 months to ensure safe, lasting results.
Some patients can safely combine multiple treatment areas in a single surgical session, while others benefit from a staged approach. Dr. Rhee will tailor your surgical plan accordingly.
Yes, but incisions are placed strategically and fade significantly over time with proper care and scar management. Good candidates for surgical body contouring typically feel that concerns about scarring are outweighed by the benefits of removing significant excess, sagging skin.
Results are long-lasting if you maintain a stable weight and healthy lifestyle habits. Significant weight changes can alter your outcome.
Absolutely. Dr. Rhee tailors her surgical techniques for both women and men seeking to refine their shape after weight loss.
