Your Questions, Answered.

The ideal candidate has achieved significant weight loss — typically 50 pounds or more — through GLP-1 medications (such as semaglutide, Ozempic, Wegovy, or Mounjaro) or bariatric surgery, and has maintained a stable weight for at least 3 to 6 months. Candidates should be non-smokers, in good general health, and have realistic expectations about surgical outcomes. A consultation with Dr. Lemelman will determine which procedures are appropriate for your anatomy and goals.

We recommend that patients discontinue GLP-1 medications and maintain a stable weight for a minimum of 3 to 6 months before undergoing surgery. This waiting period ensures your body has stabilized, reduces anesthesia-related risks associated with delayed gastric emptying (a known side effect of GLP-1 drugs), and ensures that surgical results will not be compromised by continued weight loss after your procedure.

Most patients are ready for body contouring 12 to 18 months after bariatric surgery, once weight loss has plateaued and stabilized for at least 3 to 6 months. Nutritional status — particularly protein levels, iron, and vitamin deficiencies common after bariatric procedures — must also be optimized before surgery. Dr. Lemelman works closely with your bariatric team to ensure you are medically ready.

Yes, in many cases. Combining procedures — such as a tummy tuck with an arm lift, or breast restoration with liposuction — can reduce overall recovery time and anesthesia exposure. However, the safety of combining procedures depends on your health status, the complexity of each procedure, and the total estimated surgical time. Dr. Lemelman will recommend the safest and most effective combination plan during your consultation.

A panniculectomy removes the pannus — the apron of excess skin and fat that hangs below the belly button — and is primarily a functional procedure that addresses skin irritation, rashes, and hygiene problems. A tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) goes further: it removes excess skin across the lower and mid-abdomen, repairs separated abdominal muscles (diastasis recti), and repositions the belly button for a more sculpted aesthetic result. Many post-weight-loss patients benefit from a full tummy tuck rather than a panniculectomy alone.

A fleur-de-lis tummy tuck adds a vertical incision to the standard horizontal incision, allowing skin to be removed both horizontally and vertically. This technique is recommended for patients with significant skin laxity in the upper and central abdomen — a common result of very large weight losses. While it produces a longer scar, it achieves a dramatically flatter and more contoured abdominal result that a standard tummy tuck cannot.

All body contouring procedures involve incisions and will produce scars. Dr. Lemelman places incisions strategically — along natural body contours and in areas that can be concealed by clothing or undergarments — to minimize visible scarring. Scars typically fade significantly over 12 to 18 months. Proper wound care, sun protection, and scar treatment protocols are provided to all patients to optimize healing.

GLP LIFT focuses on targeted body contouring procedures rather than circumferential lower body lifts. Our approach addresses specific areas — abdomen, flanks, arms, thighs, breasts, and face — with precision. During your consultation, Dr. Lemelman will assess your anatomy and recommend the combination of procedures that will achieve the most comprehensive result for your body.

A visit to your primary care physician within 30 days before surgery is required to medically optimize your health and confirm you are a safe surgical candidate. This visit typically includes a physical examination, review of your medications, and clearance for anesthesia. Post-weight-loss patients often have complex medical histories — including prior metabolic conditions, nutritional deficiencies, or cardiovascular changes — that must be evaluated before proceeding.

Nicotine — in any form, including cigarettes, vaping, chewing tobacco, and nicotine patches — severely impairs blood flow and wound healing. In body contouring surgery, where large areas of skin are elevated and repositioned, adequate blood supply is critical to prevent tissue loss, wound breakdown, and poor scarring. GLP LIFT has a zero-tolerance nicotine policy: patients who use any form of nicotine will not be cleared for surgery.

Comprehensive pre-operative blood work is required for all patients. This typically includes a complete blood count (CBC), metabolic panel, coagulation studies, and nutritional markers including iron, ferritin, vitamin B12, vitamin D, and albumin. Nutritional deficiencies are common after significant weight loss and must be corrected before surgery to ensure safe healing. Results are reviewed by your primary care physician and our team before a procedure date is confirmed.

Recovery varies by procedure and the extent of surgery. Most patients undergoing a tummy tuck or combined procedures require 2 to 4 weeks before returning to desk work, and 6 to 8 weeks before resuming strenuous physical activity. Compression garments are worn for several weeks to support healing and optimize contour. Dr. Lemelman provides detailed, personalized recovery instructions and is available throughout the healing process.

Initial results are visible within the first few weeks as swelling subsides, but final results typically emerge over 6 to 12 months as residual swelling resolves and scars mature. Most patients report that their results continue to improve for up to a year after surgery. Maintaining a stable weight after surgery is essential to preserving your outcome long-term.

The skin and tissue removed during surgery is gone permanently. However, significant weight fluctuations after surgery — whether gain or loss — can affect your results. Maintaining a stable weight through diet, exercise, and (if applicable) continued GLP-1 medication management is the best way to preserve your surgical outcome over time.

Consultations can be requested through our online booking system on the Contact page, or by calling our office at 312-789-4141. We are located at 3000 N Halsted St, Suite 707, Chicago, IL 60657. Consultations are by appointment only. Surgeries are currently booking into Spring and Summer 2027 — we recommend requesting your consultation as early as possible.

Please bring a list of your current medications, your weight loss history (including the method — GLP-1 medications or bariatric surgery — and timeline), any relevant medical records, and a list of questions you have for Dr. Lemelman. Photos of your areas of concern are also helpful. The consultation is a comprehensive evaluation of your anatomy, health history, and goals — plan for approximately 60 to 90 minutes.

Most body contouring procedures are considered elective cosmetic surgery and are not covered by insurance. However, panniculectomy — the removal of a hanging abdominal skin apron — may be covered when it is medically necessary (for example, when it causes chronic skin infections or interferes with daily function). Our team can provide documentation to support an insurance inquiry for panniculectomy. All other procedures are self-pay, and financing options are available.