Complete Body Transformation
After Weight Loss Surgery in Chicago and Oak Brook
Massive weight loss patients face a unique challenge. After expending all that energy, discipline, and commitment to improve their lives and lose the weight, many look in the mirror with mixed feelings. Their bodies may look deflated, with excess skin that creates new concerns about comfort and appearance.
What Is After Weight Loss Surgery?
At The Geldner Center in Chicago and Oak Brook, Dr. Geldner tailors procedures to address the specific areas affected by weight loss, often combining multiple techniques to achieve comprehensive body transformation and improved quality of life.
“Dr. Peter, how can I thank you for understanding what I needed and for being willing to do it for me? A thank you will never be enough.”
~Patient Review
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Benefits of After Weight Loss Surgery
Patients experience improved body proportions, better-fitting clothing, and elimination of skin-related hygiene issues. Most importantly, the procedures address quality of life concerns including chafing, rashes, and physical discomfort from excess skin. Many patients tell us they finally feel truly comfortable and confident in their new bodies—often for the first time since beginning their weight loss journey.
Before and After Gallery
See real transformations from patients who’ve been where you are. Save your favorites to discuss during your consultation.
Who Makes a Good Candidate for After Weight Loss Surgery?
You may be a good candidate if you:
- Have maintained stable weight for 6-12 months
- Struggle with excess skin that affects daily activities or self-confidence
- Are in good overall health with corrected nutritional deficiencies
- Have realistic expectations about scarring and recovery time
- Don’t smoke or are willing to quit before surgery
- Understand the need for potential staged procedures and extended recovery periods
The Procedure Process
The journey begins with a comprehensive evaluation at either the Chicago or Oak Brook location. Dr. Geldner assesses areas of concern, discusses surgical options, and creates a treatment plan. Surgery takes place in accredited facilities with experienced teams familiar with post-bariatric patient needs.
Recovery from post-weight loss surgery involves careful management due to the extent of procedures often required. Recovery varies based on procedures performed but generally follows predictable patterns.
First Few Days: Pain management, early mobility, and wound care take priority. Compression garments help minimize swelling and support healing tissues.
Week 1-2: Energy gradually improves and basic activities become manageable. Multiple follow-up visits monitor healing progress and address any concerns. Nutritional support remains important for proper healing.
Week 4-6: Most patients feel significantly better and can resume many normal activities. Physical therapy may help with mobility and strength. Scar management begins during this period.
6 Weeks and Beyond: Progressive return to full activities occurs gradually. Additional procedures may be scheduled once healing is complete. Final results continue improving for months as tissues settle and scars mature.
You’ll notice changes pretty quickly after surgery, though some swelling will hide your final results at first. Over the next few months, you’ll see your body proportions improve dramatically. Your contours will be smoother, and those frustrating folds of excess skin will be gone.
Yes, there will be some scarring with these procedures. But here’s what we hear from patients over and over: it’s absolutely worth it. The improvement in how their body looks and feels makes the scars seem like a small price to pay.
The best part? These results are here to stay, as long as you keep your weight stable.
Post-weight loss surgery does carry more risks than typical cosmetic procedures because the surgeries are often more extensive and your body has unique needs after massive weight loss.
Possible complications include bleeding, infection, wound healing issues, or fluid collection under the skin. Nutritional deficiencies can slow healing, so we’ll work to correct those before surgery.
Dr. Geldner has extensive experience with post-bariatric patients and uses careful surgical planning to help minimize these risks.
Dr. Geldner addresses the areas most commonly affected by massive weight loss:
Abdomen: Extensive skin removal with muscle tightening when needed
Breasts: Combination lifts with implants to restore volume and shape
Thighs: Inner and outer thigh lifts with careful scar placement consideration
Arms: Upper arm lifts to eliminate hanging skin
Back and Flanks: Body lifts to address circumferential concerns
Face and Neck: Targeted procedures when facial changes occur
Each treatment plan is customized based on individual weight loss patterns and patient priorities.
- Cosmetic: Refine shape, adjust size, correct asymmetry, smooth bumps or depressions.
- Functional: Correct deviated septum, improve breathing, address structural issues.
Many patients benefit from a combined approach to achieve both aesthetic and functional results.
“I love The Geldner Center. Dr. Geldner is fabulous! I love working with Marilyn. She explains the facts clearly to me. Dr, Geldner’s nurse is also helpful..”
~Patient Review
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Why Choose The Geldner Center?
- Board-certified surgeon with over 20 years of specialized experience
- Extensive expertise in post-bariatric patient care and complex procedures
- Comprehensive approach addressing medical and aesthetic concerns
- Coordination with primary care physicians for optimal safety
- Dual accredited facilities in Chicago and Oak Brook locations
- Understanding of unique nutritional and healing considerations
Related Procedures
Other procedures to consider:
- Tummy Tuck
- Breast Lift / Breast Augmentation
- Arm Lift
- Thigh Lift
Learn About
After-Weight-Loss Surgery
Watch a presentation that explains the procedure, preparation and recovery details.
Frequently Asked Questions
Costs vary significantly based on procedures needed and complexity. Detailed pricing is provided during consultation, including information about financing options.
Most surgeons recommend waiting 12–18 months after reaching goal weight to ensure weight stability. This also allows time to address nutritional deficiencies and optimize health.
Some procedures may qualify for coverage when medical necessity exists. Coverage varies by insurance provider and individual circumstances.
This depends on areas of concern and individual goals. Many patients require 2–4 separate surgeries staged over 12–24 months to achieve comprehensive results while maintaining safety.
Scarring is significant but generally considered worthwhile by patients for the improved body contours achieved. Scars are placed strategically and fade over time with proper care.
Insurance coverage for post-weight loss surgery varies widely between providers and policies. Some procedures may qualify for coverage when medical necessity can be documented, such as recurrent infections or functional problems. Our team helps with insurance pre-authorization when possible, though many patients choose to pay out-of-pocket for their aesthetic goals.
Serving Chicago, Oak Brook & Beyond
The Geldner Center proudly serves patients from across the Chicagoland area suburbs and surrounding states.
