Post-Weight Loss Body Contouring
For many men and women, losing a considerable amount of weight through diet and exercise or bariatric surgery is life-altering – and sometimes life-saving. While the health benefits of significant weight loss are undeniable, the excess skin that often remains can create new challenges such as skin rashes, discomfort, infection, and more. Fortunately, there are a variety of body contouring procedures designed to eliminate redundant skin and tissue, helping to resolve these issues and reveal a person’s hard-earned new figure. The results of these cosmetic treatments often have a profoundly positive impact on one’s physical and psychological well-being, many times becoming as life-changing as the weight loss success.
Your Individual Goals
Body contouring surgery after weight loss does not have an exact formula, so surgical plans must be tailored to suit each patient’s unique needs. During your consultation, your surgeon will gain a clear understanding of your current health, medical history, weight loss status, and cosmetic goals in order to formulate an effective plan that can meet your expectations. After explaining all aspects of your treatment options, he will help you decide which procedure(s) would be most beneficial for your particular case. If you are healthy enough for surgery and satisfied with the proposed treatment plan, you can make arrangements for proceeding with your surgery.
Post-Weight Loss Body Sculpting Procedures
Upper Body Lift
An upper body lift is highly customized to suit the unique physical needs each individual presents. Often, several different procedures are combined to address specific areas where excess skin is problematic.
The sides of the chest – called the lateral chest – can be lifted via lateral chest wall excision, which removes excess skin from beneath the armpit to the chest. If necessary, an arm lift can also be incorporated to eliminate excess skin from the elbow to the armpit, and a breast lift can elevate and resculpt the male chest or female breasts. Some women opt to add breast implants for additional volume and improved shape.
When excess skin and tissue in the upper back is also present, a back lift (posterior upper body lift) may be performed to effectively resolve these issues and achieve an optimal upper body contour and smoothed back appearance.
Breast Lift and/or Reduction
For women experiencing breast drooping after significant weight loss,breast lift surgery (mastopexy) may be performed to remove excess skin, elevate sagging tissue, and reshape the breasts for an improved, rejuvenated aesthetic. In the event that a patient’s breasts are overly large for her figure and/or aesthetic desires, a breast reduction can be performed to achieve a more proportionate breast size and shape.
Male Chest Lift and Pectoral Implants
Male chest lift surgery is an option for men who have excess chest skin causing a sagging, deflated appearance. This treatment involves the removal of extra skin throughout the breast/chest area, as well as sculpting of the region via liposuction. If needed or desired, pectoral implants can also be placed to add more definition to the chest for an improved overall result.
Lower Body Lift and Thigh Lift
Lower body lift surgery is designed to remove excess skin and improve contour in the mid to lower body. Bucky Plastic Surgery offers two body lift techniques – posterior lower body lift and circumferential lower body lift – and the most appropriate option will depend on each patient’s unique needs.
The posterior lower body lift technique is performed to elevate and smooth the hips, buttocks, and outer thighs. This is accomplished by eliminating extra skin and lifting/tightening the remaining tissue for a firmer, more toned appearance. Liposuction is also commonly used to eliminate fat and further sculpt the treatment area.
The circumferential lower body lift is a combination of a posterior lower body lift with an abdominoplasty. In addition to enhancing the contour of the the hips, outer thighs, and buttocks, this approach sculpts the midsection and tightens/repairs abdominal musculature. Liposuction is also typically utilized to eliminate stubborn fat present throughout the targeted regions.
For the majority of individuals, thigh lift surgery – which is designed to eliminate loose, redundant skin along the inner thighs – can also be performed as a complement to either body lift technique to further improve the contour of the legs. In order to maximize patient safety and achieve an ideal outcome, the combination of a lower body lift and thigh lift is generally done in stages.
Recovery from Post-Weight Loss Body Contouring
Recovery after post-weight loss body sculpting will vary based on the specific procedure or combination of procedures that were performed. That said, most individuals can expect a relatively smooth and accelerated healing period due to Bucky Plastic Surgery’s advanced recuperation program. Some degree of swelling, bruising, and/or soreness in the treatment region(s) can be expected initially, but these temporary symptoms should resolve as time passes. While notable pain is rare, any discomfort experienced can be alleviated with medication. In general, patients are able to resume non-strenuous daily routines after approximately seven to ten days, and all restrictions are usually lifted by six to eight weeks.
If desired, patients are able to take advantage of custom vitamin regimens, lymphatic massage therapy, and personalized nursing care. Our team will be available to answer questions, address concerns, and monitor healing throughout the full recovery process.
Contact Bucky Plastic Surgery
If you are interested in learning more about these and other post-weight loss body contouring procedures, we encourage you to contact our office to schedule a consultation.