Body contouring after major weight loss
- Surgical body contouring following major weight lossremoves excess sagging fat and skin while improving the shape of the underlying support tissue. The result is a more normal appearance with smoother contours.
- Dramatic weight loss has many benefits. But after weight reduction surgery, or any substantial amount of weight loss, the skin and tissues often lack the elasticity to conform to the reduced body size.
- Body contouring procedures may include:
- Facelift: sagging of the mid-face, jowls, and neck
- Breast lift: sagging, flattened breasts
- Tummy tuck: apron of excess skin hanging over the abdomen
- Lower body lifts: sagging of the abdomen, buttocks, groin and outer thighs
- Medial thigh lift: sagging of the inner, outer and mid thigh
- Brachioplasty (arm lift): sagging of the upper arms
- In general, good body contouring candidatesare:
- Adults whose weight loss has stabilized
- Healthy individuals without medical conditions that impair healing or increase risk of surgery
- Non-smokers
- Individuals with a positive outlook and realistic goals
- Individuals that are committed to leading a healthy lifestyle with proper nutrition and fitness
- During your recovery from body contouring surgery, dressings or bandages will be applied to your incisions following the procedure.
- Small, thin tubes may be temporarily placed under the skin to drain any excess blood or fluid that may collect.
- You will be given specific instructions that may include how to care for the surgical site(s), medications to apply or take orally to aid healing and reduce the potential for infection, specific concerns to look for at the surgical site or in your general health, and when to follow up with your plastic surgeon.
- You may be instructed to avoid bending, straining or lifting for several days to weeks.
- Where tightening of the abdomen or thighs is involved, your plastic surgeon may also instruct you to avoid standing fully upright and stressing any internal sutures as they heal, and to sleep with pillows elevating your knees.
- To minimize the risk of DVT (blood clots in the legs) you will need to be up and walking as soon as possible, and drinking plenty of fluid.
- Follow all instructions carefully – this is essential to the success of your outcome.
- You’ll need help. If a component of your body contouring surgery is performed on an outpatient basis, be sure to arrange for someone to drive you to and from surgery and to stay with you for at least the first night following surgery.
- Be sure to ask your body contouring surgeon specific questions about what you can expect during your individual recovery period:
- Where will I be taken after my surgery is complete?
- What medication will I be given or prescribed after surgery?
- Will I have dressings/bandages after surgery? When will they be removed?
- Are stitches removed? When?
- When can I resume normal activity and exercise?
- When do I return for follow-up care?
- The decision to have plastic surgery is extremely personal, and you will have to decide if the benefits will achieve your goals and if the risks and potential complications of body contouring surgeryare acceptable.
- You will be asked to sign consent forms to ensure that you fully understand the procedure and any risks and potential complications.
- Body contouring risks include:
- Bleeding Infection
- Fluid accumulation
- Poor wound healing
- Skin loss
- Blood clots, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism
- Excessive or widened scars
- Numbness or other changes in skin sensation
- Anesthesia risks
- Unfavorable scarring
- Residual skin laxity or contour irregularity
- These risks and others will be fully discussed prior to your consent. It is important that you address all your questions directly with your plastic surgeon.