Do I need body contouring after major weight loss? The answer: Most likely, yes.
Following substantial weight loss, your skin and tissue may lack elasticity. They may fail to conform to your smaller body size.
As a result, the skin on your upper arms may look saggy and loose. Your breasts may hang with their nipples pointed downwards, and your stomach may extend around your sides.
Surgical body contouring after major weight loss can remove your excess fat and skin. It improves the shape and tone of your body.
Your surgeon will define the procedures required to achieve your goals. They will also plan the timing of each of your desired surgical procedures to ensure you achieve optimal results.
As part of your body contouring surgery, your surgeon may recommend the following procedures:
Breast lift (mastopexy)
A breast lift, or mastopexy, will help to lift and reshape your sagging breasts. This type of surgery will result in the removal of excess skin and the repositioning of your nipples. However, it will not increase the size of your breasts.
If you wish to improve the size and shape of your breasts, your surgeon may recommend a procedure called an augmentation. This involves the insertion of breast implants.
Arm lift (brachioplasty)
An arm lift, or brachioplasty, will remove excess skin from your upper arms. It will tighten and tone your upper arms, restoring your youthful contours. If you have excess fat on your upper arms, you may elect to have liposuction performed in conjunction with your arm lift. Following surgery, you won’t worry about short-sleeved tops or raising your arms above your head.
Thigh lift (thighplasty)
A thigh lift, or thighplasty, will correct sagging in your outer, inner and mid thighs, helping you to sport firmer thighs. Like other area-specific body contouring procedures, a thigh lift will tone and tighten your excess or loose skin. To achieve the results you desire, you may choose to have liposuction in conjunction with your thigh lift surgery.
Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty)
A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, will remove excess fat and skin from your stomach. In some cases, it will also help to tighten your abdominal muscles. This creates a flatter, firmer stomach that better matches your slimmer figure.
These procedures require your surgeon to make incisions, which, in some cases, may be extensive. They make these incisions in strategic locations, allowing you to hide them with your clothing. But, this will not always be possible.
Recovering from your surgery
Following your surgeon’s instructions will be key to the success of your body contouring surgery. If you fail to provide yourself with the time you need to rest and recover, you may impair the healing process.
The results of your body contouring surgery will be visible almost immediately. Your scars may take some time to fade and your body will lose some firmness as you age. However, the results of your surgery should prove long lasting, providing that you remain a stable weight.
Determining your suitability to body contouring surgery
Before you decide to undergo body contouring, you must feel satisfied with your current weight. If you continue to lose weight, you will develop sagging pockets of skin following the procedure. If you rapidly regain the weight you have lost, you will develop visible stretch marks and may widen your surgical scars.
The decision to undergo body contouring after weight loss is a personal one. Only you can decide whether the benefits outweigh the risks.