Body Contouring After Weight Loss
No More Sagging Skin
If you’ve lost significant amounts of weight, it is often an unpleasant surprise when you see the excess, sagging skin that can result. After massive weight loss, many people are left with sagging skin around the abdomen, arms, thighs, and breasts. To restore a naturally shaped figure and achieve a leaner shape, body contouring after massive weight loss is an option for some patients. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Bajaj, a body contouring specialist who brings her passion for helping her patients restore their bodies to regain their lives and confidence.
Body Contouring Procedure
Most body contouring surgeries are performed under a general anesthetic. Since you may have multiple areas of excess skin that need to be addressed, the surgeries will need to be staged for your safety. Dr. Bajaj encourages you to prioritize the order of these procedures based on the areas that bother you the most. Depending where on your body you exhibit loose skin and pockets of fat, Dr. Bajaj may perform a variety of body contouring surgeries.
What treatments can be included in a Body Contouring surgery?
An abdominoplasty, commonly referred to as a tummy tuck, removes the excess skin and fat that you can pinch on your abdomen. Abdominoplasty also involves tightening your abdominal muscles so that you have a flatter, more contoured abdomen.
An arm lift is also referred to as a Brachioplasty. The goal of an arm lift is to remove the excess skin and fat that can flap on the upper arms and that we sometimes may refer to as ‘bat wings.’ In an extended Brachioplasty, the incision is carried into the armpit and side of the breast to remove excess tissue in these areas as well.
A thigh lift will remove the excess skin and fat along the thighs to give a more toned appearance to upper legs.
A circumferential body lift combines abdominoplasty with a lower back/buttock lift. This procedure will remove the excess skin along the abdomen as well as the excess skin along the lower back thereby improving the contour of your entire trunk.
A breast lift is also known as a mastopexy. After significant weight changes and childbearing, the shape of our breasts may change resulting in ‘sagging’ and loss of volume. The goals of a breast lift are to remove the excess skin and reshape the breast so that the nipple is now at the point of maximal projection of the breast.
With weight loss, we may also notice that the skin on our necks and faces also starts to hang. A neck lift will help to remove and reshape the neckline. It is also frequently combined with a facelift.
Liposuction surgery is performed to treat small pockets of fat that do not respond to diet and exercise. By suctioning out these localized fat cells, Dr. Bajaj can help you work toward finalizing a more fit body type.
- Removing loose skin on many areas of the body
- Localized fat removal
- Improving hygiene
Recovery time after your body contouring procedure will vary based on what procedure(s) you have. To learn more, call and schedule your consultation!
Listen in as Dr. Bajaj discusses Body Contouring after weight loss with eHealth Radio.
Body Contouring after Weight Loss FAQ
What is body contouring after weight loss?
Body contouring after weight loss refers to a series of surgical procedures designed to remove excess skin and fat and reshape the body to enhance its contours. Surgery can be performed to improve many areas of the body and may include procedures such as a circumferential body lift, liposuction, arm lift, thigh lift, and tummy tuck (either a traditional abdominoplasty or a fleur-de-lis abdominoplasty).
Who is an ideal candidate for body contouring surgery?
Ideal candidates are individuals who have experienced significant weight loss through diet and exercise or bariatric surgery and are left with excess skin and/or stubborn fat deposits. Candidates should be in good health and have realistic expectations about the outcomes of the procedures. For optimal results, you should also be at your goal weight which has been stable for a minimum of 3-6 months.
What areas of the body can be addressed with contouring procedures?
Body contouring can target all areas of the body, including the abdomen, thighs, arms, buttocks, back, and breasts. Different procedures are available to address specific concerns in each area, providing a comprehensive approach to body reshaping.
How long after weight loss should I wait before considering body contouring?
It is generally recommended to wait until your weight has stabilized for 3-6 months before considering body contouring. This allows for optimal surgical results and minimizes the risk of additional skin laxity. You should also be at your goal weight.
How many procedures can I have at once?
Since multiple areas of the body may need to be addressed, it is not possible to perform all the surgeries at the same time, and the procedures are frequently staged over 2-3 major surgeries. After consulting with you, Dr. Bajaj will discuss your goals and expectations. Both of you will then develop a surgical plan. Typically, 2-3 procedures can be performed at the same time – this is for your safety since prolonged operative times are associated with higher complication rates.
If the procedures are staged, what procedures are performed first?
When deciding which procedures to perform first, you should consider what bothers you the most. Also, the trunk is the foundation for your body – in other words, a circumferential body lift may result in subtle improvement of the thighs, mons pubis, etc. Dr. Bajaj believes that the first step for optimal results involves stabilizing the trunk with either a circumferential body lift or an abdominoplasty.
If the procedures are staged, how long do I have to wait between surgeries?
Most individuals wait a minimum of 3-6 months between surgeries.
What is the recovery process like for body contouring surgeries?
Recovery times will vary depending on the specific procedures performed. Most patients will require 1-2 weeks off of work depending on the specific procedure(s). Dr. Bajaj will provide detailed post-operative instructions and support to ensure a smooth recovery.
Can body contouring after weight loss improve my skin’s appearance?
Yes and no, body contouring can significantly improve the appearance of loose or sagging skin by removing the excess skin. This can result in an improved contour. However, extreme weight fluctuations can and do affect the elasticity of the skin. The actual quality of the skin will not change – think of the rubber band that has been stretched so much it can’t return to its original shape and size.
Are the results of body contouring permanent?
While body contouring can provide long-lasting results, maintaining a stable weight and adopting a healthy lifestyle is crucial for preserving and optimizing the outcomes. Fluctuations in weight may affect the longevity of the results.
How do I prepare for a body contouring procedure?
The first step in preparing for your procedure(s) involves developing a list of your priorities and what bothers you. The next step involves setting up a consultation with Dr. Bajaj. You will also want to ensure that you are maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle for optimal recovery following surgery. To minimize the risks of having wound healing complications after surgery, you should avoid all tobacco and nicotine products for a minimum of 4 weeks before and after surgery; you should also maintain a healthy, high-protein diet.
What risks are associated with body contouring surgeries?
Like any surgical procedure, body contouring surgeries do carry some risks, such as infection, bleeding, and adverse reactions to anesthesia. Dr. Bajaj and her surgical team will discuss potential risks during the consultation and take necessary precautions to minimize them.
Will I have scars?
All surgical procedures will result in scars. The trade-off for many of these surgeries is a scar for improved contour. Dr. Bajaj strives to place scars in inconspicuous locations and also follow the natural contours of your body. We also employ multiple modalities to minimize scars.
How much does body contouring surgery after weight loss cost?
The cost of the procedures will depend on the specific combination of procedures performed as well as your unique needs. Our Patient Care Coordinator will be able to discuss different financing options with you as well.
Contact Us Today to Learn More
If you have lost a dramatic amount of weight, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with Dr. Bajaj to learn more about body contouring after weight loss. We are eager to speak with you about the benefits of these procedures. Please contact our City by calling 405-810-8448.