Body Contouring After Weight Loss

Body contouring is a set of surgical procedures that removes excess tissue (skin and fat) and tightens the skin. Although you can have facial surgery for this purpose, body contouring procedures concentrate on the body, from the neck down.

There are many different types of body contouring procedures, including:

• Arm lift: Corrects sagging in the upper arms
• Breast lift: Restores sagging breasts to a higher position and may restore fullness
• Breast reduction: Removes extra fat and skin, tightens,s and restores breasts
• Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck): Removes extra tissue and tightens muscles
• Panniculectomy: Removes a panniculus (apron of hanging skin and fat in the abdomen)
• Lower body lift: Tightens the abdomen, buttocks, inner thighs, and outer thighs
• Inner thigh lift: Tightens the inner thighs
• Bilateral thighplasty: Tightens skin in the front and outside parts of the upper legs

You can also combine procedures. For example, a mommy makeover at Plastic Surgery Associates of Long Island includes a customized combination of procedures that help you meet your appearance goals. Many women who have a mommy makeover have a breast lift, tummy tuck, inner thigh lift, or other procedures during the same surgery.

Yes! In many cases, our patients have received at least partial coverage for body contouring after weight-loss surgery from their insurance providers, particularly if certain criteria are met, and the surgery is for medical rather than cosmetic reasons.  

Coverage may be possible when excess skin causes documented functional problems or health issues occur, such as: 

• Recurrent skin irritation
• Rashes
• Infections (e.g., intertrigo or dermatitis) that haven’t responded to conservative treatments like topical medications. 
• Chronic discomfort
• Hygiene difficulties
• Restricted arm mobility/interference with daily activities. 

Each insurance provider has its own criteria, and approval often requires detailed documentation, photos, a letter of medical necessity from your surgeon, and, in some cases, prior authorization. The best way to determine this is to consult our team, who can evaluate your situation, review your insurance policy, and advise whether pre-authorization is warranted. At PSALI, we work directly with NYSHIP, Anthem BC/BS, Aetna, Cigna, 1199, UHC, EmblemHealth, and many others. 

If this is a route you’d like to explore, please discuss it with our patient coordinator, who can guide you through the financial aid application process.