Flankplasty

Offered at our convenient location in Baltimore, Maryland

A flankplasty is a body contouring procedure that can restore a more sculpted and streamlined silhouette. This procedure removes inelastic and hanging skin from around the flanks to restore a more slender and defined appearance overall.

Dr. Alyson Wells is a double board-certified plastic surgeon and teaching physician at Valley Plastic Surgery & Medi-Spa. Dr. Wells has undergone years of rigorous training from some of the most respected institutions in the country. This has equipped her with the surgical precision, anatomical expertise, and artistic expression to help each of her patients feel confident in their skin once again.

If you are ready to begin working with Dr. Wells, we invite you to contact us online. You may also reach the front desk of our Cockeysville office by calling (410) 628-8200.

About Flankplasties

A flankplasty is a surgical procedure that focuses on removing inelastic skin to restore a more slender and toned appearance across the flanks. This region is specifically found between the lower ribs and hips, and many people refer to it as “the love handles.”

Over time, the skin in this region can be subjected to repeated stretching or contracting. When the skin is stretched for long periods of time, it can lose its elasticity and begin hanging down, rather than conforming to your new contours. With a flankplasty, you can address your concerns and redefine the appearance of your waistline to achieve an appearance that aligns with your hard-earned efforts and vitality.

Benefits

Flankplasties offer a plethora of advantages and benefits that you can experience when undergoing this procedure for yourself. Several of them include:

  • Enhanced Contours: The primary benefit of a flankplasty is its ability to resculpt your flanks and hips to restore a more defined and sculpted appearance.
  • Smoother Skin: Dr. Wells can remove loose or inelastic skin to restore a smoother look and feel to your figure.
  • Elevated Comfort: This procedure can eliminate discomfort or mobility issues caused by hanging skin. (1)
  • Lasting Results: The results of a flankplasty are long-lasting, with results that you can enjoy for many years to come.
  • Increased Body Positivity: After seeing their results, many of Dr. Wells’s former patients have reported feeling more confident in themselves and their appearance.
  • Tailored Solutions: Dr. Wells personalizes every flankplasty according to the unique needs, anatomy, and aesthetic goals of each individual. This means that no two procedures will ever be the same.

Candidates

You may be an ideal candidate for a flankplasty if you have recently lost a significant amount of weight and you have found yourself frustrated by loose or hanging skin that will not retract to your contours. You may also benefit from this procedure if your excess skin has compromised your personal comfort or ease of movement.

To qualify, you should be in good general health and maintain realistic results regarding your expectations. You should have a stable, maintainable weight you can sustain long-term. It is also important that you are nonsmoking or willing to quit using nicotine altogether. Dr. Wells will assess your candidacy during your consultation.

Personal Consultation

The first step to restoring a smoother, more slender waist is attending a personal consultation with Dr. Wells. Here, she will meet with you individually to review your medical history, learn more about your concerns, and establish realistic goals and expectations. She will also perform a physical examination to assess your natural anatomy and skin quality.

Dr. Wells will then use this information to create a one-of-a-kind solution that meets each of your needs. She will explain your options to you, finalize the details of your surgical plan, and answer any questions you have. Depending on your desired aesthetic, she may also recommend pairing your procedure with another.

If you are ready to schedule this consultation and start working towards your renewed self, we invite you to contact us online or call our Cockeysville office at (410) 628-8200.

Preparation

Once you schedule your procedure, Dr. Wells will provide you with a detailed set of preparation instructions. She will personalize them according to your treatment plan, and they will optimize your procedure, recovery, and results.

Under the proper medical guidance, you will need to discontinue taking blood-thinning medications and supplements. You will need to arrange for a trusted adult to drive you home after your procedure, and prepare to take some time away from your professional responsibilities and personal commitments. If applicable, you will also need to discontinue consuming nicotine or alcohol in the weeks leading up to your procedure.

Procedure

Dr. Wells performs flankplasty procedures on an outpatient basis. When you arrive for your procedure, a member of her team will lead you to a private treatment room and cleanse your skin. You will then receive general anesthesia to ensure your comfort.

Dr. Wells will place an incision that extends horizontally across the side of the hips. The exact length and placement will vary, but she will discuss what you can expect during your consultation. She will then proceed to recontour your figure by excising the sagging or inelastic skin found in the area. If there is a significant amount of fat, she will integrate liposuction into your procedure to remove it. (2) She will then smooth out the remaining skin in a tension-free manner before closing the incisions.

Recovery

After your flankplasty, you can expect to experience some swelling, bruising, and general discomfort. These effects will subside on their own with time, but you may also manage them using medications and plenty of rest. She will also have you wear a compressive garment to limit further swelling and return for follow-up appointments so she can monitor your progress.

When you are more comfortable, we recommend going on light walks or integrating gentle movements into your routine, as these actions can increase circulation to the healing areas. You will be able to return to desk work and other light activities after resting for a few weeks, but anything strenuous or arduous should be avoided until Dr. Wells has cleared you to return.

Dr. Wells will give you postoperative guidelines to help you navigate each phase of your recovery. If any questions or concerns arise, her team will be available to help!

Results

Once you have fully recovered, you will be able to enjoy the refined results of your flankplasty. Your skin will feel smoother, your curves will appear more symmetrical and even, and your hips and waist will be more defined—each of which can contribute to a more alluring silhouette and heightened sense of self-confidence. You may also notice improvements in your sense of self-comfort and ease of movement.

Dr. Wells strives to provide results that help you age gracefully and elegantly. During your consultation and follow-up appointments, she will discuss maintenance and preservation with you.

Cost of Flankplasty in Baltimore, Maryland

The cost of your flankplasty will vary depending on a combination of different factors, such as the type of corrections you undergo, the amount of skin Dr. Wells removes, the extent of the procedure overall, and more. When she establishes these details with you, she will provide you with a comprehensive cost estimate.

For more information about our pricing, you are encouraged to contact us online or call (410) 628-8200.

FAQ

What is a flankplasty?

A flankplasty is a surgical procedure that removes sagging or hanging skin from around the flanks, allowing you to achieve a more defined and slender waist.

How much tissue will Dr. Wells remove during my flankplasty?

The amount of tissue that Dr. Wells removes will vary depending on the severity of your concerns and the degree of sagging present. During your consultation, she will provide you with more detailed information once she has assessed the targeted area.

Who is considered a good candidate for a flankplasty?

Suitable candidates for a flankplasty include either women or men who have recently undergone a weight loss transformation and now have sagging or inelastic skin around their flanks and hips. If you are unsure whether you may qualify for this procedure or not, we recommend scheduling a consultation!

What type of anesthesia will Dr. Wells use to perform my flankplasty?

Dr. Wells will use general anesthesia to perform your flankplasty, which means you will be comfortably asleep throughout the entire experience.

After my flankplasty, when will I be able to return to work?

Your recovery will vary, but you can expect to return to nonstrenuous activities and desk work after resting for approximately 2 weeks. However, you will need to continue avoiding any strenuous or demanding tasks until you have fully healed.

How long will the results of my flankplasty last?

When you maintain them with a stable weight and healthy lifestyle habits, you will be able to enjoy the results of your flankplasty for many years to come.

Can Dr. Wells combine my flankplasty with another body-contouring procedure?

Yes! Dr. Wells can combine your procedure with another if you are interested in addressing several concerns within one procedure, or you want to achieve more transformational results. For more information, we recommend scheduling a consultation.

References

  1. Handal M, Handal J, Nevill T, Finkelstein P, Kichler K. Cosmetic Procedures After Massive Weight Loss Surgery: A Guide for Prospective Patients. Cureus. Published online November 1, 2024. doi:10.7759/cureus.72864
  2. Hurwitz DJ, Davila AA. Update on Oblique Flankplasty: Easily Executed, Long-Lasting, Integral Component of Total Body Lift Surgery. Aesthetic Surgery Journal. 2023;44(1):NP77-NP86. doi:10.1093/asj/sjad323