Frequently Asked Questions

A plastic surgeon with training in post-weight-loss body contouring. Dr. Sophia Hoyos is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon in Medellín, a member of the Colombian Society of Plastic Surgery (SCCP), and her HENKO program was built specifically for people who have already lost weight, with abdominoplasty, torsoplasty (body lift), breast lift, arm lift, thigh lift, and butt lift, among other procedures.

Look for a plastic surgeon with experience in post-weight-loss cases, SCCP membership, and a team that covers nutrition and psychology, since these cases often involve several procedures. Dr. Hoyos focuses on exactly this type of patient, has co-authored three chapters of the textbook TULUA Abdominoplasty (Elsevier, 2025), and works with the multidisciplinary HENKO team. No official ranking of surgeons exists, so we recommend consulting more than one specialist and reviewing real cases.

In general, surgeons recommend that weight be stable for several months before operating, because further changes can affect the result. The exact time depends on the case (for example, whether the weight loss followed bariatric surgery) and is defined by Dr. Hoyos during your evaluation.

Usually not. If the skin has lost elasticity, removing fat alone can leave the area looser. In post-weight-loss patients, liposuction is usually combined with an abdominoplasty or another procedure that removes the excess skin. An in-person evaluation determines which applies to you.

Some combinations are planned in the same operation (for example, liposuction with abdominoplasty). In other cases, for safety, the process is split into stages. It depends on your health, the amount of skin, and the length of surgery, and is decided at the evaluation.

An abdominoplasty mainly treats the front of the abdomen. A torsoplasty also treats the flanks, waist, and lower back with one continuous scar around the torso. It is considered when the excess skin is not limited to the front.

Yes. HENKO treats international patients. Write to us through the contact form or WhatsApp (+57 321 544 0370) and the team will guide you on how to start the evaluation and organize your trip. The surgical plan is confirmed after Dr. Hoyos evaluates you.

Multidisciplinary support before and after surgery (nutrition, psychology, sports medicine, post-op recovery), a private nurse for the first 24 hours after surgery, transport on procedure day, and a post-op kit with specialized compression garments and access to a hyperbaric chamber.

Check that the surgeon appears in Colombia's official health professionals registry (RETHUS) with a plastic surgery specialty, is a member of the Colombian Society of Plastic Surgery (SCCP), and operates in a licensed facility. Ask to see real cases similar to yours.

It depends on the procedures and your recovery. Dr. Hoyos defines the time needed, including the first follow-up checks, before you travel home. Ask about flying: long flights soon after body contouring surgery need medical clearance.

We do not publish fixed prices because the cost depends on the procedures each patient needs. A quote is provided after the evaluation. You can request one through the contact form or WhatsApp.

HENKO is Dr. Sophia Hoyos's comprehensive care model for people who have already lost weight. It combines plastic surgery with a multidisciplinary team: nutrition, psychology, sports medicine, post-op recovery, and a patient assistant who coordinates appointments and follow-up.

Torre Médica El Tesoro, Cra. 25a #1A Sur - 45, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia. Open Monday to Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (Colombia time). WhatsApp: +57 321 544 0370.

Yes. She is an author and co-author of book chapters, including three chapters in TULUA Abdominoplasty: Transverse Plication Technique (Elsevier, 2025) and a chapter on the surgical treatment of gluteal deformities caused by permanent fillers (Springer, 2026), plus journal articles. See the Academy section of the site.