Post-bariatric surgery in Medellín
Removal of the excess skin left after major weight loss, with procedures from COP 8,000,000
When you lose a lot of weight, the skin does not always shrink back. Post-bariatric surgery is body contouring plastic surgery: a plastic surgeon removes that excess skin from the abdomen, waist, arms, thighs, breasts or face. At MDE Care we help you find out whether it is the right time, build your plan by area with the cost of each part and, if you are traveling from abroad, coordinate your recovery in Medellín.
Are you looking for weight loss surgery, such as the gastric sleeve or bypass? That is bariatric surgery in Medellín.
12 to 18 mo
after bariatric surgery
3 months
or more at a stable weight
3 to 6 mo
between one stage and the next
2 to 3 wk
at least, before returning to work after a body lift
A plan by area
with the cost of each procedure
Are you ready for body contouring?
Having surgery too early brings the loose skin back and increases complications. Answer four questions and we will show you whether you can be assessed, whether a staged approach is advisable and which procedures usually match your areas.
1. How long ago was your bariatric surgery?
2. How long has your weight been stable?
3. Which areas concern you?
You may select more than one.
4. Do any of these conditions apply to you?
Select all that apply; if none apply, leave them unselected.
The three possible outcomes
It is still too early
Less than 12 months since bariatric surgery, or a weight that is still changing.
You can be assessed
12 months or more since bariatric surgery, a weight stable for 3 months or more, and one to three compatible areas.
In stages
Four or more areas, or the abdomen together with the breasts or thighs.
What counts as major weight loss
Losing 50% or more of your excess weight, with or without bariatric surgery. Before operating, the surgeon reviews your lab work: complete blood count, albumin, iron, vitamins B1 and B12, folate, calcium and vitamin D.
Your result
Answer the questions to see your result
Select at least one area.
Areas and procedures
- Abdomen: tummy tuck (abdominoplasty)
- Waist, lower back and buttocks: circumferential lipectomy (body lift)
- Arms: arm lift (brachioplasty)
- Thighs: thigh lift (thighplasty)
- Breasts: breast lift (mastopexy)
- Face and neck: face and neck lift
General guidance based on published guidelines and studies. It does not replace the judgment of the plastic surgeon, who defines the plan at the assessment.
Your body contouring plan
Choose the procedure for each area and see the cost of each part and of the full plan, including the recovery house if you need it.
Abdomen and waist
Breasts
Other areas
Where do you live?
Nights at the recovery house
With 24-hour nursing care and meals. The surgeon decides how many nights you need based on the procedures.
What each cost usually includes
- Surgeon's fees, anesthesia and operating room.
- Compression garment and follow-up visits, according to the quote.
- Pre-surgery lab work is usually separate.
Your plan
Estimated cost of the plan
FromCOP 12,000,000up to COP 25,000,000
Separate
Assessment consultation with the plastic surgeon; its cost is confirmed when you book it.
Whether procedures are combined in one surgery or split into stages is decided by the plastic surgeon. If done in stages, each one is scheduled and quoted separately.
Request an assessment* Market ranges in Colombia, 2025 to 2026. The final quote is provided after the assessment with the plastic surgeon, based on your examination and tests.
What is post-bariatric surgery
After major weight loss, the skin and tissues do not fully shrink back and they sag, especially on the abdomen, waist, arms, thighs, breasts and face. That excess cannot be corrected with diet or exercise. Post-bariatric surgery removes it and redefines the contour of the body.
It is not a weight loss surgery: a plastic surgeon performs it once the weight has stabilized. Beyond appearance, excess skin can cause irritation in the skin folds, difficulty with hygiene and walking, and discomfort from the weight of the tissue.
It removes skin, not weight
It is done once your weight is stable, so the result lasts.
It is a process, not a single day
With several areas, it is usually planned in stages 3 to 6 months apart.
Quality of life
In a published study, after body contouring psychological well-being improved by 45.7% and physical functioning by 28.5%.
Body contouring procedures
Each area has its own procedure. Costs are market ranges in Colombia and are confirmed at the assessment.
Circumferential lipectomy (body lift)
COP 30,000,000 to COP 55,000,000
An incision that goes around the waist like a belt to remove skin from the abdomen, flanks, lower back and buttocks, and lift the outer thighs, in a single surgery.
Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty)
COP 12,000,000 to COP 25,000,000
It removes skin and fat from the abdomen, tightens the muscles, repairs diastasis and repositions the navel.
See abdominoplastyPanniculectomy
Defined at the assessment
It removes only the apron of skin and fat that hangs over the abdomen, without touching the muscles or reshaping the navel.
Arm lift (brachioplasty)
COP 8,000,000 to COP 18,000,000
It corrects the sagging skin on the inner arms.
See brachioplastyThigh lift (thighplasty)
COP 8,000,000 to COP 22,000,000
A lift of the inner thighs to remove the sagging skin.
See thighplastyBreast lift or breast reduction
COP 10,000,000 to COP 26,000,000
A breast lift raises and reshapes sagging, deflated breasts, with or without implants; a reduction decreases volume when it is excessive.
There are also the upper body lift and the face and neck lift, which are assessed case by case.
When you can have surgery and who is a candidate
Months 0 to 12
Weight is still being lost
Operating in this phase makes the loose skin come back. It is best to wait.
Months 12 to 18
Assessment can begin
If your weight has been stable for at least 3 months. The Dutch guideline prefers waiting 18 months, with 12 at a stable weight.
From 18 months
The most common time
Weight usually stabilizes between 18 and 24 months after bariatric surgery.
19.5%
versus
45.8%
Complications with a weight stable for at least 3 months versus an unstable weight, in a published study of post-bariatric patients.
A good candidate usually
- Has a stable weight after major weight loss.
- Has no conditions that affect healing or increase surgical risk.
- Does not smoke or use nicotine.
- Has realistic expectations and a positive attitude.
- Maintains a proper diet and physical activity.
Before surgery, these are corrected
- Nicotine: no cigarettes, vaping or patches for at least 6 weeks before and 6 weeks after.
- Anemia and nutritional deficiencies, with lab work at least 4 weeks before.
- Diabetes, high blood pressure or any other uncontrolled condition.
- A BMI of 30 or higher: it increases the risk of complications by 37%.
When a staged approach is advisable
The more areas operated on the same day, the longer the surgery and recovery, and the more complications occur.
Complications by number of areas operated in a single session
1 area
7.41%
2 areas
17.14%
3 areas
24.53%
4 or more areas
39.39%
Published series of post-bariatric patients. Combining 2 or 3 areas did not significantly increase complications; 4 or more areas did.
The most common order
Stage 1
Abdomen or full waist
Published references operate on the abdomen first when the breasts or thighs are also treated.
Stage 2, 3 to 6 months later
Breasts, upper body and arms
The breasts and upper body are separated from the abdomen because they pull in opposite directions.
Last
Inner thighs
They are corrected once the trunk has been treated.
The plastic surgeon adjusts the order and decides what is combined based on your health and the length of the surgery.
Recovery by procedure
| Procedure | Hospital stay and drains | Return to work | Exercise and lifting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Body lift | 1 or 2 days; drains for 3 to 14 days | At least 2 to 3 weeks | 6 to 8 weeks |
| Tummy tuck or panniculectomy | Depends on the case | About 2 weeks | Restrictions for about 6 weeks |
| Thigh lift | Drains for 3 to 14 days | About 2 weeks | 6 to 8 weeks without lifting or jogging |
| Arm lift | Depends on the case | 1 to 2 weeks; driving at about 10 days | As directed by the surgeon |
| Breast lift | Depends on the case | About 1 week | No strenuous activity for at least 2 weeks |
Compression garment
It is worn for several weeks, as directed by the surgeon.
Walk early
Getting up and walking as soon as possible helps prevent blood clots.
Swelling
About 75% subsides by 6 weeks and 90% by 3 months.
Risks of post-bariatric surgery
According to published reviews, about 31.5% of patients have some complication, and most resolve on their own or with minor treatment. On whether the way the weight was lost matters, references disagree: a 2014 meta-analysis found a 60% higher risk after bariatric surgery than after losing weight through diet, and a 2026 study of 1,002 patients found no difference between surgery, medication or lifestyle changes.
12.7 to 13.9%
Seroma
A buildup of fluid under the skin; it is the most common complication.
17%
Wound opening after a body lift
After an arm lift it is 6.81%.
3%
Thrombosis or embolism after a body lift
That is why getting up and walking as soon as possible is recommended.
Other complications
Infection (5% after a body lift and 3.64% after an arm lift), skin necrosis, hematoma, wide scars, changes in sensation and residual loose skin that sometimes requires a touch-up.
What increases the risk
Nicotine, anemia and nutritional deficiencies, diabetes, a BMI of 30 or higher, a large amount of tissue removed and surgeries lasting more than 6 hours.
Your body contouring in Medellín, step by step
The plastic surgeon decides how many days you should stay based on the procedures. If the plan is staged, each stage is a separate trip, 3 to 6 months apart.
Step 1
Contact us on WhatsApp
Tell us about your bariatric surgery, how much weight you lost and which areas concern you.
Step 2
Initial remote assessment
With photos and a video call with the plastic surgeon, to define the plan.
Step 3
Lab work in your country
At least 4 weeks before, to correct anemia or a deficiency in time.
Step 4
Quote in US dollars
By stage, with a breakdown of what is included.
Step 5
Surgery and recovery
With the option of a recovery house with nursing care: US$270 per night in a standard room.
Step 6
Follow-up and next stage
Remote follow-up and, if applicable, the next stage 3 to 6 months later.
About post-bariatric surgery in Medellín
How much does post-bariatric surgery cost in Medellín?
Is post-bariatric surgery the same as bariatric surgery?
How long after bariatric surgery can I have surgery?
Can several areas be done in a single surgery?
What is the difference between a tummy tuck and a panniculectomy?
How long is the recovery?
What are the risks of post-bariatric surgery?
How long should I stay in Medellín if I am coming from another country?
Have you not had weight loss surgery yet?
The bariatric surgery guide compares your case with every option, with and without surgery.
Related procedures
Request your body contouring assessment in Medellín
Tell us about your bariatric surgery, how much weight you lost, how long it has been stable and which areas concern you. We will send you the cost of your plan and coordinate the assessment with the plastic surgeon.