Skin Removal Surgery in Temecula, Menifee, & Murrieta
Skin removal surgery is a body contouring procedure that eliminates excess, sagging skin, often after major weight loss, to create a smoother, firmer appearance.
Skin Removal Procedures in Temecula, Murrieta, and Menifee
Skin removal surgery, also known as body contouring or excess skin excision, is a procedure designed to remove sagging or loose skin that often remains after significant weight loss, pregnancy, or aging. While achieving a smaller body size is a major accomplishment, many individuals are left with stretched skin that does not retract on its own. This excess skin can cause discomfort, irritation, difficulty with clothing, and self-consciousness. Skin removal surgery helps tighten and reshape the body, enhancing both appearance and mobility while restoring confidence.
At Newman Plastic Surgery, patients receive exceptional care from a board-certified surgeon with extensive experience in transformative body contouring. Every treatment plan is tailored to the patient’s unique goals, ensuring natural-looking results with meticulous attention to detail. With state-of-the-art surgical techniques, compassionate guidance, and comprehensive post-operative support, Newman Plastic Surgery offers a trusted path to completing your weight loss journey. When you’re ready to feel truly comfortable in your skin, our team is here to help you take the final step.
What To Expect
- Anesthesia: General anesthesia to ensure complete comfort throughout the procedure.
- Length of surgery: Typically ranges from 2.5 to 5 hours, depending on the areas being treated.
- Outpatient/Inpatient: Outpatient, allowing you to return home the same day.
- Recovery: Plan for 1–2 weeks off work, with lifting and strenuous activity restrictions for up to 6 weeks.
Plastic Surgery and the Skin
As training residents in Plastic Surgery, we were taught that “plastic surgery concerns itself with the skin and all of its contents.”
In other words, we were expected to know not only what is going on with the skin but really the anatomy of the entire body. But counter to that is the fact that almost all procedures we perform in cosmetic surgery involve lifting, removing and even changing the texture of skin.
Though training in plastic surgery has gone 360 in terms of ideas, the actual surgery has continued to change and evolve over time. Case in point is the revolution in face lifting. Facelift procedures lift the face to restore a youthful, natural appearance.
In the olden days, it was just the skin that was lifted but with further advancement, attention was directed to the deeper tissue. It turns out that lifting and directing deeper layers gives a stronger but paradoxically smoother and more even result. In fact, with these newer lifts, it’s usually hard to tell, even as a plastic surgeon, that a patient has had a face lift.
Body Restoration after Weight Loss
Medically assisted weight loss with injectable GLP-1 agonists such as Mounjaro, Ozempic, Zepbound, and Weygovi have led to a revolution in health improvement and, in many cases, has completely eliminated major diseases and risk factors for Diabetes, Obesity, heart and kidney disease. But as people lose significant weight, skin and the underlying tissues become loose, and the injury from being overweight becomes apparent as scarring and skin injury. Body restoration involves not only removal of skin that is loose but also lifting deeper tissues to restore a youthful appearance.
The most common skin removal procedure is a tummy tuck, where excess skin and the underlying fat are removed from the lower abdomen. The muscle layers are also addressed to flatten the entire abdomen and any excess fat over the hips is also removed to create a beautiful contour. Tummy tuck surgery creates smooth visual lines that extend from the upper abdomen to the lower abdomen and into the thighs.
Belt Lipectomy
Most patients that have a tummy tuck have removal of excess skin of the lower abdomen. Thus, the scar often extends from hip to hip. But there are some patients that have excess skin about the waist that extends past the hip and onto the back which requires more skin removal. Belt lipectomy is the surgery that involves removal of excess skin of the back but also helps to smooth skin of the outer thigh if that is also excessive. Of course, it’s important to seek the consultation with a plastic surgeon to see if you qualify for just a tummy tuck or also require a belt lipectomy in addition. When tummy tucks are done at the same time as a belt lipectomy, the resulting surgery is called a body lift. Body lifts remove excess skin at the level of the lower abdomen and hip but all the way around the body and so there is a scar 360 degrees around the body.
Arm Lift
Patients may develop looseness of skin of the upper arm, and the surgery that removes excess skin is called a brachioplasty or arm lift. In this procedure, skin is removed to tighten the arm, and fat is also removed where excessive. The best candidates for this surgery have minimal fat excess.
Skin Removal Surgery Before & After Images
Curious about what’s possible with skin removal surgery? Explore our Before & After Gallery to see real results from patients who transformed their bodies and regained confidence with the help of Newman Plastic Surgery. From tightened midsections to smoother arms and thighs, these images showcase the dramatic improvements that skilled contouring can achieve. Click below to view the gallery and imagine what your own transformation could look like.
Loose Skin Removal FAQs
How much does it cost to cut off excess skin?
The cost of removing excess skin can vary significantly. On average, patients can expect to pay between $5,000 and $20,000 for excess skin removal procedures. Factors that affect pricing include the amount of excess skin, whether multiple areas are treated at once, the surgeon’s experience, facility, and anesthesia fees. Because every case is unique, the best way to get an accurate estimate is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Newman, a board-certified plastic surgeon who can tailor the procedure to your individual needs and goals.
Is loose skin removal surgery worth it?
Loose skin removal surgery is often considered for those who’ve lost significant weight or have excess skin after pregnancy. It can improve comfort, mobility, confidence, and appearance while reducing skin irritation and the risk of infections. However, skin removal surgery is a major procedure that requires financial investment, a recovery period, and potential scarring. Whether it’s right for you depends on your goals and how much the excess skin impacts your quality of life.
Does insurance cover loose skin removal?
Insurance may cover loose skin removal surgery if it’s considered medically necessary, such as if excess skin causes chronic rashes, infections, hygiene issues, or limits mobility. In those cases, procedures like a panniculectomy (removing an overhanging “apron” of skin) are sometimes approved. However, if the surgery is done solely for cosmetic reasons, such as improving appearance or shape, it’s usually not covered and would be an out-of-pocket expense. Coverage policies vary, so it’s best to check with your insurance provider and have your surgeon document any medical complications related to the excess skin.
How painful is extra skin removal plastic surgery?
Most patients describe extra skin removal surgery as moderately painful in the first few days after the procedure. Patients may experience some discomfort, which usually includes soreness, tightness, swelling, and tenderness around the incision areas, which is normal as your body heals. Pain levels depend on the extent of the surgery, the areas treated, and your personal pain tolerance. Surgeons typically prescribe medication to manage the pain and ensure you are comfortable in the weeks following skin removal surgery. Most people find that pain greatly improves within 1 to 2 weeks, and by the time you’re fully healed, discomfort is typically minimal.. Following your surgeon’s recovery instructions, such as resting, wearing compression garments, and avoiding strenuous activity, can help reduce pain and speed up healing.
What is the recovery time for excess skin removal surgery?
The recovery time for excess skin removal surgery can vary based on the procedure and the areas treated. Most patients can expect a recovery period of approximately 2 to 6 weeks. During the first 1 to 2 weeks, it is important to rest, limit physical activity, and follow the post-operative care instructions provided by your surgeon to promote proper healing.
After about 2 weeks, you may be able to resume light activities and return to work. However, more strenuous exercise and lifting are typically safe only after 4 to 6 weeks. It is important to wait until you get medical clearance before lifting all activity restrictions. The full results and final contouring of your body may continue to improve over several months as swelling decreases and scars mature.
How soon after weight loss should you consider extra skin removal surgery?
It’s recommended to wait until you have maintained a stable weight for at least 6 months before considering extra skin removal surgery. However, for significant weight loss surgery, this usually happens about 12 to 18 months depending on how quickly you reached your weight loss goal. Waiting allows your body to fully adjust to its new shape, ensures your results are long-lasting, and reduces the risk of needing additional procedures later. It’s also important to be in good overall health, maintain a stable diet and exercise routine, and be close to your ideal weight before surgery.
Alternatives to excess skin removal surgery
There are a few alternatives to excess skin removal surgery, though it’s important to note that non-surgical options typically provide less dramatic results and cannot tighten loose skin the way surgery can.
- Exercise and Strength Training – Building muscle can help fill out loose skin slightly, improve tone, and create a firmer appearance, especially in areas like the arms, legs, and abdomen.
- Skin-Firming Treatments – Non-invasive procedures such as radiofrequency, ultrasound, or laser therapy can stimulate collagen production and tighten mildly loose skin over time.
- Topical Creams and Lotions – Products containing retinoids, peptides, or hyaluronic acid may improve skin elasticity and hydration but generally have limited impact on significant excess skin.
- Compression Garments – Wearing supportive clothing can help smooth the appearance of loose skin temporarily and improve comfort during daily activities.
While these options can help in mild cases, surgical removal remains the most effective way to eliminate large amounts of excess skin and achieve long-lasting results.
How does excess skin removal surgery work?
Excess skin removal surgery involves the removal of loose skin and tightening the remaining tissue to achieve a smoother, more toned appearance. During the procedure, Dr. David Newman, a board-certified plastic surgeon, makes precise incisions in targeted areas such as the abdomen, arms, thighs, or back. Dr. David Newman removes the extra skin, repositions the underlying tissues, and then closes the incisions with sutures to create a natural-looking contour. In some instances, liposuction may be performed alongside the surgery to remove stubborn fat and enhance the overall results.
The procedure is carried out under anesthesia, and most patients are able to go home the same day or after a brief hospital stay. As you heal, the skin will tighten around your new shape, resulting in a more sculpted silhouette. This can often lead to improvements in comfort, mobility, and overall confidence.
What Our Patients Are Saying
Skin Removal Reviews
“I had a tummy tuck by Dr. Newman he was my surgeon in Murrieta. He did an outstanding job. I was really scared he made me feel comfortable and I was able to trust him. I was referred by some acquaintances that had everything done by Dr. Newman and they looked beautiful 🤩. I had seen his job it was done very well. I am very impressed of my tummy tuck after a year and a half . Its hardly noticeable it’s a little swollen but it looks fantastic. I had a little spot of my incision opened up. I called Dr. Newman and he took care of it instantly , the same day I was able to come in to get it checked. That week I seen him three times and took care of my incision he gave me instructions on how to clean my wound so it wouldn’t get infected. It took about 4 to 5 days for the Incision to close. It never got infected. I’m very thankful that Dr. Newman is a very caring and responsible doctor including his staff because they were there to help me too. I’m very grateful I had my tummy tuck with Dr. Newman in Murrieta . It was a great experience I’m always recommending my friends and acquaintances to go there. Its so worth it🤩🙏🏼”
Glaxy Apodaca Enriquez
“I had several consultations for a “mommy makeover” (breast lift, augmentation, tummy tuck). From the moment I met Dr. Newman, I knew he was the doctor I would eventually choose for my procedures. My initial consultation lasted nearly 1 1/2 hours. He took the time to explain my options, give his professional opinion and really listened to my concerns. Because of some past health issues, Dr. Newman felt it was too risky to do the tummy tuck and the lift and augmentation together so I opted to just do the lift and augmentation first and wait on the tummy tuck. I appreciate the fact that he really puts the health of his patients first. My recovery was smooth and I am over-the-moon happy with my results (6-months post-op). His staff is top-notch and I would highly recommend Dr. Newman’s office. He is truly an artist and it shows in the work that he does.”
Marcae Rosenvall
“Dr David Newman is an extremely consummate professional. In 1991 he fixed a botched job done by an orthopedic surgeon when I shattered my hand. At the time I could not close my hand into a fist due to extreme scar tissue. Dr. Newman went in and fixed my hand and you cannot tell that my hand was injured. I also have had breast augmentation with no problems or issues since done. I decided to get a tummy tuck and some work done to my face 6 weeks ago. Everything is looking great and I am truly grateful for his expertise and experience. I highly recommend him to anyone needing any cosmetic surgery.”
Kimberly Kordell
“Dr. Newman has given me a tummy tuck. That was in 2007. I am now recovering from a brow lift, facelift and neck lift that he did as well. I have received wonderful care. He has been able to answer all of my questions when needed. He takes careful attention to detail and precaution before surgery.”
Esther Henderson
“Absolutely amazing! Could not be happier with my results. Not even three weeks out from a tummy tuck and the results are insane. Not to mention, the staff is awesome!
Thank you so much!”
Mindy
“This is the best place to get a tummy tuck in Temecula. Very affordable, and the staff is super friendly. Thanks again.”
Callie Wheeler