Ochsner surgeons meet growing demand for cosmetic procedures after weight loss

The board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeons at Ochsner Health are seeing a surge in patients seeking body contouring procedures, particularly “Mommy Makeovers” and post-weight loss surgeries. These treatments — which often involve a combination of tummy tucks, liposuction and breast surgeries — are increasingly popular among women who want to regain their confidence after pregnancy, as well as individuals managing body changes after significant weight loss.

Adam Hauch, MD, FACS, a plastic and reconstructive surgeon at Ochsner Health, said he has noticed an uptick in demand over the last five to six years. Dr. Hauch attributed that to an increased use of GLP-1 medications, such as Ozempic and Wegovy, which have helped millions of people lose significant amounts of weight. In addition, Dr. Hauch noted that having procedures isn’t seen as taboo as it may have been in the past.

“More influencers and celebrities are speaking out about what cosmetic procedures they have had done. It has become more mainstream, and people are more open about it,” Dr. Hauch said. “I find that people care less about who knows what they have had done. They just want to get results.”

Dr. Hauch said he discusses several factors with patients before a procedure, and ensures they have reached certain milestones prior to surgery. For example, people should be within 10 to 15 pounds of their goal weight, and women should be finished breastfeeding and be at least six months postpartum before considering surgery.

“During a consultation, I start by asking them what they are interested in, and the conversation often evolves as we talk about their goals,” Dr. Hauch said. “Most women know about tummy tucks and are interested in them. During the exam, I look for areas that have extra fat and a separation of muscle. I also look for any hip indentations and areas where we might be able to do fat grafting. When I’m discussing a breast procedure with a patient, I get an idea of what they are looking for — whether they want to be smaller, larger or lifted. We talk about implants if they want an augmented look. The conversation evolves throughout the consultation.”

Ochsner Health plastic and reconstructive surgeon Shoichiro Tanaka, MD, MPH, said he has successfully operated on people who have lost anywhere from 50 to 200 pounds. Aside from excess skin and overall body imbalances that can occur after such drastic changes, Dr. Tanaka said many patients seek out surgeries to address ailments such as chronic rashes, odors and back pain.

“When we’re doing an abdominal operation, the key is finding the right amount of tension. You want to remove enough so that patients feel like they have a good result, but not so much that the wound won’t heal well,” he said. “When patients want breast surgery, it is often because they have lost a lot of tissue. If they want a breast lift, that is a little simpler because it’s a matter of resuspending the tissue. If they want a fuller appearance, it can be more challenging because there is less tissue to work with. That’s when we talk about implants. Those can be a nice alternative to add back some volume.”

Christopher Babycos, MD, plastic and reconstructive surgeon, Ochsner Health, emphasizes the importance of talking to patients ahead of time about managing expectations and the different types of procedures that are available. Dr. Babycos said it is often for medical reasons, not just cosmetic reasons, that a patient will elect to have a breast reduction or panniculectomy, a surgical procedure to remove excess skin and fat from the lower abdomen.

“I see patients from their 20s all the way up to their 80s. Age is no longer a factor. It’s about your overall health,” Dr. Babycos said. “We talk a lot about their goals and what each procedure entails. For example, patients who come in with a large amount of skin and fatty tissue hanging over their belt line are usually good candidates for a panniculectomy. A lot of people confuse this with a tummy tuck, but they are completely different operations. That’s why it’s important to discuss the physical problems someone is having and what procedure is best to address those.”

At Ochsner, technological innovations have given surgeons more options than ever before. Improved liposuction tools, enhanced fat grafting methods and modern breast implants have all contributed to shorter recovery times, fewer complications and better outcomes.

“Overall, these are predictable surgeries with good outcomes and low downtime,” Dr. Hauch said. “We can achieve great results pretty quickly. Almost everyone who has had one of these procedures is very happy that they finally made the decision.”

At Ochsner, patients typically go home the same day of the procedure and often have about a six-week window of limited physical activity before they can ease back into their normal routines. It can take about three to six months for swelling to completely reduce and final results to become apparent. By having these procedures performed by board-certified surgeons at Ochsner, patients can be assured that they are receiving the highest-quality care in the safest possible environment.

“A major reason patients come to Ochsner for these procedures is because it’s a team of doctors. Every specialty that you need is here,” Dr. Babycos said. “If a patient has hypertension, heart disease or another medical condition, we work with other physicians right here. It’s important to consider the patient’s overall health. The best thing about Ochsner is that you have a team of doctors ready to take care of every need.”

Ochsner Health is the leading nonprofit healthcare provider in the Gulf South, delivering expert care at its 46 hospitals and more than 370 health and urgent care centers. To learn more about how Ochsner empowers people to get well and stay well, visit ochsner.org. To schedule a consultation with a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon, visit ochsner.org/plastics or call 504-842-3950.