At the Whole Beauty® Institute, we offer a wide range of body contouring procedures and therapies to support patients navigating these post-weight loss changes. Whether you’re dealing with skin laxity, volume loss, excess tissue, or hair loss, we can help restore your natural contours to rejuvenate and redefine your appearance from head to toe. We offer body surgery in the Chicago area and other cosmetic solutions.
Surgical Solutions for Loose Skin
After significant weight loss, especially the rapid kind associated with GLP-1 medications, patients often find that skin on the abdomen, arms, or thighs doesn’t contract back as expected. Body surgery with Dr. John Q. Cook in the Chicago area can effectively target these concerns. A tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) removes excess skin and tightens the abdominal wall. Arm lift surgery (brachioplasty) helps to contour the upper arms or “bat wings” where loose skin can become especially noticeable. Patients looking to address multiple areas may benefit from a Mommy Makeover, which can combine tummy tuck, breast procedures, and liposuction for more comprehensive results. Many patients who lose significant weight experience undesirable changes in the face and neck. Dr Cook has a variety of facial rejuvenation techniques to restore loose facial structures to a natural position, eliminate loose skin, and restore facial volume.
Minimally Invasive Options to Refine Contours
For those who may not need or desire a full surgical procedure, we offer advanced technologies designed to tone and tighten. BodyTite®, AccuTite®, and Sofwave use radiofrequency energy and laser-assisted technology as well as ultrasound to contract tissue and improve skin firmness with less downtime than surgery. These treatments are ideal for subtle refinements or as a complement to more extensive procedures.
Liposuction also remains a cornerstone of body contouring. While not a skin-tightening treatment on its own, it can effectively remove pockets of stubborn fat that remain after weight loss and help refine your shape when used alongside skin-tightening procedures.
Hair Loss after GLP-1s
The exact mechanism by which GLP-1 causes hair loss is not fully identified. However, it is believed that these medications may change the hormonal balance in the body, leading to a shedding phase called the telogen phase of hair follicles. The results of rapid weight loss can, in turn, stress the hair follicles and result in hair thinning. The incidence of hair loss with GLP-1 varies widely. Studies have reported rates ranging from 1% to 30%. At the Whole Beauty Institute, our nurse practitioner and certified trichologist can discuss non-surgical hair restoration treatments to help restore your hair to its natural youth.
Restoring Balance after Volume Loss
One lesser-discussed aspect of rapid weight loss with GLP-1s is volume depletion—not just in the body, but in areas like the face or hands. Fat transfer offers a natural solution, using your body’s own fat to restore volume to key areas while complementing other body contouring strategies. This dual benefit allows for both enhancement and harmony in your appearance.
Skincare products, such as Volulift, can help patients address specific skin concerns that occur with GLP-1 usage to improve the appearance of facial skin deflation, deep wrinkles, dehydration, and density.
Take the Next Step in Your Aesthetic Journey after GLP-1 Weight Loss
If you’ve achieved major weight loss with the help of GLP-1 medications and are now ready to refine your contours, it may be time to consider body surgery. Call Chicago’s Whole Beauty® Institute at 312-751-2112 to schedule your consultation and explore options personalized to your goals. Together, we’ll help you complete your transformation—safely, naturally, and beautifully.