Though there are many physical and emotional benefits to massive weight loss, the process can leave excess skin in the abdominal area. This is often disheartening to those who have taken the steps to lose weight and improve their health. Dr. M.R. Khalifeh performs a procedure known as extended abdominoplasty to reduce and tighten the excess skin leftover from drastic weight loss. The procedure is sometimes extended further to include both the front and back treatment areas, a procedure which is referred to as a body lift.

Good candidates for extended abdominoplasty have a desire to remove excess skin tissue, and tighten their abdominal muscles following dramatic weight loss from diet and exercise, or weight loss surgery such as gastric bypass surgery or lap band surgery. A consultation with Dr. Khalifeh will help to select a treatment option that best suits your particular needs. Dr. Khalifeh holds consultations at his locations in Chevy Chase, Maryland, and Frederick, Maryland, which offer easy access to all of Northern Virginia and metro Washington, D.C. areas.

Dr. Khalifeh performs extended abdominoplasty surgery at his accredited ambulatory surgery center in Chevy Chase, Maryland, or at Sibley Memorial Hospital in Washington D.C. The procedure is performed with the patient under either general anesthesia or twilight sedation. Operations usually take around five hours to complete. The incision runs from outer hip to outer hip due to the amount of skin to be tightened. In addition to the removal of excess skin tissue, the abdominal muscles are typically tightened to improve the look of the body. Two drains are also put in place during surgery to drain excess fluid. The first of these is removed one week post operation, and the second two weeks after the procedure.

Recovery typically takes one to two weeks, and patients may experience some swelling and discomfort initially. Despite this, patients may return to work two weeks post operation. Exercise and other strenuous activities must be avoided for at least one month. Scars are longer for an extended tummy tuck than a traditional tummy tuck because of the amount of skin to be excised. As with all surgery, extended abdominoplasty comes with certain risks which may include blood clots, bleeding and infection.

Call to schedule a consultation appointment with Dr. Khalifeh at (301) 244-0148. Dr. Khalifeh holds consultations at both the Chevy Chase, Maryland, and Frederick, Maryland, locations.