Dramatic weight loss has many benefits; however, once you reach your weight loss goals, you may find that you still don’t have the fit and healthy body image you wanted. Skin may be loose and sagging, and you may feel even more self conscious because of odd or unnatural body contours. If this is you, surgical body contouring may be right for you. In general, body contouring following major weight loss reduces excess fat and skin that has developed in multiple areas of the body. The result: a smoother, more attractive body image. Body contouring is an important and rewarding phase of your challenge to have a healthier, more proportionate body, as well as a way to help you feel even more proud of your success.
If your physical activity has been limited, you may have weak muscle and skin tone, and your skin may be severely stretched. Either through a surgical procedure or dieting and exercise, the skin and tissues can lack elasticity and not conform to the reduced body size. As a result, the stretched skin now is unsupported and begins to sag most commonly around certain areas:
- The face, neck and jowls, resulting in a droopy, sad appearance
- The upper arms, resulting in a bat-wing like appearance
- The breasts, causing them to flatten and hang with nipples pointed down.
- The abdominal area, extending around the sides and into the lower back, resulting in an apron-like overhang
- The buttocks, groin and thighs
Not only is weak and sagging skin unattractive, it is also a serious threat to your health. However, before you decide to undergo body contouring following a major weight loss, you must understand that your weight loss must have stabilized. If you continue to lose weight, sagging pockets will redevelop. If you rapidly regain the weight, you will traumatically stress already weakened and thinned skin, causing further stress and creating visible stretch marks and wide scars.
Who is a Body Contouring Candidate?
In general, good candidates for body contouring are:
- Adults of any age whose weight loss has stabilized.
- Healthy individuals who do not have medical conditions that can impair healing or increase risk of surgery
- Non-smokers
- Individuals with a realistic outlook for what body contouring can accomplish
- Individuals committed to leading a healthy lifestyle including proper nutrition and fitness
How is a Body Contour Performed?
A consultation with one of our surgeons is the first step. During this time, the doctor will educate you on the procedure and answer any questions you may have. The two of you will discuss:
- Your goals and your medical history
- Options available in body contouring surgery
- Likely outcomes and any associated risks or potential complications
- A recommended course of treatment
Specific plastic surgery procedures that may be recommended include:
- Facelift
- Breast Lift
- Tummy Tuck
- Lower Body Lifts
- Medial/Transverse Thigh Lift
- Brochioplasty
You must accept that all body contouring requires incisions to remove excess skin. In many cases, these incisions may be extensive. Incision length and pattern depend on the amount and location of excess skin to be removed, as well as personal preference and surgical judgment. Our surgeons always use the most advanced and tested techniques to place incisions in locations hidden by most types of clothing and swimsuits.
Stages of Body Contouring
Your conditions, goals, health, safety and comfort as well as our expertise will define a surgical plan for you. It may take several stages before your body contouring is complete. In addition to preparing for these states, you must also accept that a single procedure to treat a specific area may not achieve your desired results.
What Results Can I Expect?
Your results are visible almost immediately; however, it may take as much as one to two years or more for the final results of all the recommended body contouring procedures to fully develop.