Congratulations on your weight loss! Losing a significant amount of weight is no small feat. But with significant weight loss, excess skin can remain because it doesn’t have the elasticity to adjust to your new size, regardless of diet and exercise. This loose skin is a constant reminder of your previous weight and can cause psychological and social problems. In addition, extra skin can hinder daily activities, cause hygiene problems and make intimacy difficult.
Body contouring surgery can help. This surgical procedure to remove excess skin and fat is not only cosmetic: It is also is improving the shape and tone of the underlying tissue that supports your skin.
About Body Contouring
Body contouring is not just a surgical procedure. This is usually a series of surgeries for people who have lost more than 50 pounds through weight loss surgery or through diet and exercise. Body contouring is not an alternative to weight loss, but is a supplement for people who have reached their ideal body weight.
Body contouring is especially useful for people with a specific body mass index (BMI), a measurement of body fat based on height and weight. It is a good choice for those in the overweight BMI range of 25-30. In some cases, those with a higher BMI of 30-35 may also be good candidates.
Other criteria include:
- The weight is stable, within 5-10 kg for six months. For patients undergoing weight loss surgery, it usually takes 18 months to reach this stage.
- Medical clearance from a primary care physician
- No nicotine use – this is essential as many surgeons will not operate on smokers
- Healthy lifestyle with adequate protein of at least 60 g/day for 6 weeks before and 6 weeks after
What areas does body contouring affect?
Different techniques are used to treat each part of the body, and your surgeon will determine a custom plan for your needs. However, some common procedures include:
- Brachioplasty: arm lift to relax the upper arm
- Mastopexia: breast lift to relax breasts
- Butt lift, lower body lift: to relax the buttocks
- Automatic buttock augmentation: restores volume and roundness to a flat buttock
- Panniculectomy/abdominoplasty: abdominoplasty to relax the abdomen
- Thigh lift: thigh lift to relax the thigh
- Upper body lift: relaxation of the upper back
Deciding on body contouring surgery
When determining whether body contouring surgery is the right step for you, it is important to consult with an experienced plastic surgeon. In addition to sharing your history and a thorough physical exam, you and your doctor will discuss your personal goals and available options, as well as the pros and cons, and then develop a strategy for moving forward. Some surgeries can be combined, but some, such as abdominal and thigh, are better performed separately.
Any type of surgery has risks and your doctor will explain to you what those risks are (eg bleeding, infection, wound separation, fluid collection, scarring and blood clots). Your doctor will also explain the methods used to reduce these risks or treat them if they occur.
Finding the right surgeon is critical. Of course, you want someone who will listen to your needs and concerns and help you come up with a plan you’re excited about. But just as importantly, you want one surgeon who is well trained to perform the operation you need.
