BEFORE: For Skin Removal, start by choosing a window when your weight is steady and you can truly rest. You’ll review all medicines, vitamins, and herbs, because some increase bleeding or bruising—only stop items if your surgeon tells you to. If you smoke or vape, plan to pause, since nicotine can slow healing and raise scar problems. Set up your home with easy meals, extra pillows, and loose clothing that won’t rub your incisions. In Grand Rapids, MI, heat and humidity can irritate healing skin, so plan breathable fabrics, cool indoor time, and short walks instead of long outdoor days. Arrange a driver and a helper for the first night.

DURING: On procedure day, your team confirms the exact areas being treated and the scar plan you agreed on. After anesthesia, the surgeon removes extra skin, reshapes the tissue, and closes in layers to support a smooth contour. If liposuction is part of the plan, it may be used to blend nearby fullness so the transition looks natural. Dressings and compression garments are placed to limit swelling, and small drains may be added to reduce fluid buildup. In recovery, staff check comfort, help you stand and walk safely, and review written instructions for showering, drain care, and warning signs to watch for. Most people go home the same day with a follow-up visit already scheduled.

AFTER: The first week after Skin Removal usually includes swelling, soreness, and a tight feeling that gets better little by little. Keep moving with gentle walks, but avoid heavy lifting, stretching the treated area, and hard workouts until you are cleared. Wear compression as directed and keep incisions clean, dry, and protected from rubbing. If you have drains, they are typically temporary and removed once output is low. Expect scars to look pink or dark at first; they soften and fade over months, and sunscreen helps prevent lasting color change. Call right away for fever, sudden swelling on one side, spreading redness, or foul drainage. With steady care, comfort improves as your new shape settles.