Post-bariatric body contouring after obesity surgery.
After obesity surgery, there is often more skin left than the body still needs. Post-bariatric body contouring removes this excess from the abdomen, arms, legs or chest – and where the excess makes people ill, it is a medical treatment.
Four locations
Eight surgeons
German statutory insurance in individual cases
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12–18months after obesity surgery, with a stable weight
6–8weeks in compression garments
2–3weeks until office work after a tummy tuck
4–6weeks until heavy physical work
Typical figures from the clinics, depending on the area and extent. Your personal plan is discussed at the preliminary consultation.
After obesity surgery
When the skin does not keep pace with the weight.
After obesity surgery, the body changes considerably in a short time. The skin, stretched over years, often does not shrink back to the same extent – especially when 50 kilos or more have been lost.
Typical are an apron of skin on the abdomen, slack upper arms and inner thighs, flattened breasts and folds on the back and flanks. Inflammation, fungal infections and sore areas can develop in the skin folds; movement, sport and personal hygiene become an effort.
Body contouring is therefore often more than an aesthetic correction: it is the plastic-surgery part of a journey that began with obesity surgery. A stable weight is a prerequisite.
The treatment
What body contouring can achieve.
Targeted
Tightening is done where there is excess skin: abdominal wall, upper arms, thighs, chest – and where the excess is pronounced, all around the trunk with a body lift.
Relieving
Without deep skin folds, inflammation can subside; many people find movement and personal hygiene easier.
In stages
Several areas can be treated in a sensible order, and some can be combined in one procedure.
There is usually more than a year between obesity surgery and body contouring. The body needs this time – and it helps to prepare the procedure well.
Stable weight
No earlier than 12 to 18 months after obesity surgery, and only once your weight has remained stable for months.
Preliminary consultation
A specialist in plastic surgery examines where there is excess skin, what problems it causes and what can realistically be achieved.
Plan and costs
The areas and their order are determined. If there is a medical need, cost coverage is checked in advance; otherwise you receive a quote.
Preparation
Blood tests, informed consent, no nicotine. A good supply of protein and vitamins supports wound healing – after a gastric bypass, this is a lifelong topic anyway.
Surgery
Usually under general anaesthesia, about one and a half to five hours depending on the area, followed by a few days in the clinic.
Aftercare
Six to eight weeks of compression, wound checks and rest. After a tummy tuck, office work is often possible after two to three weeks, heavy physical work after four to six weeks.
Statutory insurance or self-pay
Who covers the costs.
Statutory health insurance
In individual cases, when medically necessary.
Body contouring after major weight loss is not a standard benefit of German statutory health insurance. It can be covered if the excess skin makes you ill. This is assessed case by case; indications include, for example:
recurrent inflammation, fungal infections or sore areas in the skin folds that cannot be treated any other way
significant limitations when walking, moving or with personal hygiene
Statutory insurance does not cover body contouring for purely aesthetic reasons. With cost coverage, surgery takes place at the Bürgerspital Wertheim; pre- and post-operative care is possible close to home, including in Dortmund and Düsseldorf.
Self-pay treatment
Without cost coverage.
Anyone who has body contouring without cost coverage, or wants more than is medically necessary, pays the costs themselves. These depend on the area and extent; you receive a personal quote after the preliminary consultation. Several clinics offer financing in instalments.
This is possible at all four locations; in Waalre, the first consultation for self-pay treatments is free of charge. Weight Doctors® also offers body contouring after weight loss in its Weight Doctors® RESHAPE programme.
Specialists
Your surgeons at a glance.
Operations are performed by specialists in plastic surgery. Under each name you will find the locations where they work.
Dr. med. Michael BrombaSpecialist in Plastic and Aesthetic SurgeryWertheim · Dortmund · Düsseldorf
Dr. med. Frank GrunerSpecialist in Plastic and Aesthetic SurgeryDortmund · Düsseldorf · Waalre
Dr. med. Uwe HerrboldtSpecialist in Plastic and Aesthetic SurgeryWertheim · Dortmund
Dr. Iris LebbeSpecialist in Plastic SurgeryWaalre
Dr. med. Martin ReifenrathSpecialist in Plastic and Aesthetic SurgeryWertheim · Dortmund
Dr. med. Maria SimidjiiskaSpecialist in Plastic and Aesthetic SurgeryWertheim · Dortmund
Prof. Dr. med. Mathias WittSpecialist in Plastic and Aesthetic SurgeryWertheim · Dortmund · Düsseldorf
Dr. med. univ. Nura ZamaniSpecialist in Plastic and Aesthetic SurgeryDortmund
Locations
Where treatment takes place.
Each clinic shows on its own website how the treatment works there.
Germany
Wertheim
Hospital with an obesity centre and intensive care unit. Operations here are performed both with cost coverage and as self-pay treatments.
Specialist clinic for plastic and aesthetic surgery at the group’s headquarters. With cost coverage: pre- and post-operative care here, the operation in Wertheim.
When can I start body contouring after obesity surgery?
No earlier than 12 to 18 months after the operation, once your weight is stable. Anyone who has their skin tightened too early and then continues to lose weight risks slack skin again.
Which area comes first?
That depends on where the excess causes the most problems. The order is decided together; some areas can be combined in one procedure, others are operated on one after the other.
Is the risk higher after major weight loss?
Wound-healing problems are more common in former obesity patients. In addition, there are the usual risks of an operation, such as secondary bleeding, infection and thrombosis, as well as visible scars and numbness. Protein, vitamins, compression and avoiding nicotine support healing.
Where are the scars?
On the abdomen, usually below the bikini line from hip to hip; on the arms, along the inner side; on the thighs, in the groin or along the inner side. They are placed so that clothing covers them as far as possible, and they fade over time but remain visible.
Will health insurance cover body contouring?
Only if it is medically necessary, for example with recurrent inflammation in the skin folds. This is assessed case by case. Body contouring for aesthetic reasons is paid for by the patient.
How does it differ from a body lift?
The body lift is one form of post-bariatric body contouring: it tightens the abdomen, flanks, buttocks and thighs all the way around in one procedure. In addition, individual areas such as the upper arms, thighs or chest can be tightened.
Does the result last?
With a stable weight, it can last for a long time. Gaining weight again stretches the skin once more – which is why aftercare following obesity surgery remains important.
Describe your request – the right clinic will get back to you.
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Reviews
What patients say about us.
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5,888 reviews on ProvenExpert
SFSithembiso F.
This was the best decision I have ever taken for myself. The whole experience has changed my life for the better. From the first consultation I felt welcomed and treated very well. I did not feel alone during the journey because the team were just a WhatsApp away and they made regular check-ups on me. Thank you for everyone at the hospital from the staff to the doctors, you are all amazing.
Weight Doctors South Africa
MMaria
Wow, was für ein erster Eindruck! Dr. Frank Gruner, dessen Professionalität von jahrelanger Erfahrung zeugt, war äußerst verständlich und menschlich (was mir sehr wichtig war). Er verstand meine Bedürfnisse, und seine Erklärungen und Anweisungen entsprachen genau meinen Vorstellungen. Die Patientenberaterin Jennifer war mit ihrem Charme ebenfalls eine große Hilfe und erklärte mir alles Notwendige und den weiteren Ablauf. Auch die Mitarbeiter am Empfang waren sehr höflich und freundlich. Ich melde mich nach der Operation mit meinen Eindrücken zurück. Vielen Dank an alle!
Westfalenklinik Fachklinik für Plastische und Ästhetische Chirurgie · Original in German
AAnonym
Ich habe eine Unterlidstraffung machen lassen und bin mit dem Ergebnis sehr zufrieden. Mein Dank geht vor allem an Frau Dr. Simidjiiska für ihre Fürsorge, Kompetenz und Empathie. Aber auch das gesamte Team der Klinik macht einen hervorragenden Job!
Westfalenklinik Fachklinik für Plastische und Ästhetische Chirurgie · Original in German
AAnonym
Ich bin rundum begeistert von meiner Erfahrung in dieser Haartransplantationsklinik. Von der ersten Kontaktaufnahme bis zur Nachsorge war alles hervorragend organisiert und professionell. Das gesamte Team war unglaublich freundlich, hilfsbereit und zuvorkommend. Man hat sich jederzeit gut aufgehoben und ernst genommen gefühlt. Besonders positiv fand ich, dass sich alle Mitarbeiter ausreichend Zeit genommen haben, um meine Fragen zu beantworten und jeden Schritt verständlich zu erklären. Auch der Service war erstklassig. Die Organisation, die Betreuung vor und nach dem Eingriff sowie die Kommunikation waren wirklich hervorragend. Das gesamte Team hat einen sehr kompetenten und gleichzeitig menschlichen Eindruck gemacht. Die Klinik selbst ist modern, sauber und sehr gut ausgestattet. Während der Behandlung wurde äußerst sorgfältig und professionell gearbeitet, und ich hatte zu jedem Zeitpunkt das Gefühl, in guten Händen zu sein. Ein großes Dankeschön an das gesamte Team für die tolle Betreuung und den freundlichen Umgang! Ich kann die Klinik absolut weiterempfehlen und bin mit meiner bisherigen Erfahrung sehr zufrieden. Wer Wert auf Professionalität, Qualität und einen hervorragenden Service legt, ist hier meiner Meinung nach bestens aufgehoben.
Westfalenklinik Fachklinik für Plastische und Ästhetische Chirurgie · Original in German
AWAndre W.
Bisher war es nur ein Beratungsgespräch aber es war sehr gut.
Weight Doctors Group · Original in German
DCDavid C.
Ich fand, dass der Arzt gut und verständlich erklärt hat. Ich habe diese Woche noch einen Termin in einer anderen Klinik, da ich mich gründlich informieren möchte; auch der Preis wird dabei eine Rolle spielen – darüber bin ich ganz offen.
QUOLE Medisch Centrum · Original in German
MMomo
Hervorragende Behandlung. Von der ersten Beratung bis zur Nachsorge hat mir Dr. Koch stets ein sehr gutes Gefühl vermittelt. Ich litt jahrelang unter einer echten Gynäkomastie, nach der OP kann sich das Ergebnis sehen lassen, mein Selbstbewusstsein ist endlich zurückgekehrt. Ich kann die Alster Klinik jedem empfehlen, der schon lange mit dem Gedanken spielt sich operieren zu lassen.
Alster-Klinik Hamburg · Original in German
AAnonym
Dr. Schubert gab mir das Gefühl, in genau der richtigen Praxis zu sein für mein Anliegen. Ich habe mich beim Beratungsgespräch sehr wohl gefühlt und verstanden gefühlt.
Alster-Klinik Hamburg · Original in German
LSLieselotte S.
Über die ehrliche Einschätzung
Alster-Klinik Hamburg · Original in German
HGHannelore G.
Ich habe mich sehr wohl geführt, das Gespräch war sehr gut, die Ärztin hat mir sehr ausführlich alles erklärt und bin mit einem sehr guten Gefühl nach Hause gegangen.
Westfalenklinik Fachklinik für Plastische und Ästhetische Chirurgie · Original in German
CKCarmen K.
Ich bin eine sehr ängstliche Person. Bei Herrn Dr. Neis habe ich mich sofort wohlgefühlt. Behandlungsgespräche, Umgang, Freundlichkeit – es passt alles. Ich kann ihn ohne Bedenken und Einschränkung nur weiter empfehlen. Dankeschön Herr Dr. Neis für die tolle Arbeit.
CGCE Group · Original in German
MLMichaela L.
Dr. Klarner ist sehr nett, hat mich sehr gut beraten und aufgeklärt. Ich hab mich gut aufgehoben gefühlt, vielen Dank!