After all the hard work, whether through dieting or exercise, failing to achieve the desired results can be disheartening. Extreme weight loss often results in heavy folds of extra skin and loose tissue, which can leave the person feeling unfulfilled. Everyone deserves to be happy with the results of their weight loss and this is where body contouring comes in. Restorative surgery can offer a much-needed solution.

 

Understanding Different Procedures

Different procedures can be used to enable the patient to achieve the desired results. Plastic surgery can be used to remove extra skin, hence improving the shape and tone of the body. The surgery is often done on the abdomen, buttocks, thighs, breasts, and arms. Cosmetic surgery can also be used to give the patient a firmer, trimmer shape. The procedures used include body contouring or body lift surgery, abdominoplasty or tummy tuck, buttock augmentation, arm lift, thigh lift, and breast lift.

 

Body Contouring

The body contouring procedure helps to improve the appearance of the body after weight loss. The procedure is quite common, and it is long-lasting as long as the patients’ weight remains stable. During the procedure, the surgeon cuts the abdomen before removing the excess, sagging skin. The surgeon will often perform additional body contouring procedures.

 

Buttock Lift

Apart from the tummy tuck that tightens the slack abdominal muscles and removes sagging skin, the surgeon will also carry out a buttock lift. This procedure helps to lift the sagging rear end, improving firmness. Removing the loose skin and remodeling or reshaping fatty tissue helps to achieve this end.

Arms and Thighs

Body contouring also includes procedures to enhance the arms and the thighs. An arm lift will tighten tissue and remove excess skin, giving the patient toned-looking arms. The thigh lift on the other hand is designed to improve the appearance of the upper legs. Removal of excess skin and tightening underlying tissues will leave the thighs looking much better.

 

Breast Lift

Body contouring also includes a breast lift that is performed to transform sagging breasts giving them a more youthful shape. In some cases, breast implants may be used to improve the shape and size of the breasts.

 

After the Procedure

Body contouring can change your appearance dramatically. Except for the loss of firmness that comes with age, the results are often permanent. However, like with all surgery, the procedure is not without some risk. Scarring is quite common, and some people continue to experience issues with loose skin. Other complications include infection, bleeding, and tissue death. People with a high BMI are more likely to experience complications. Follow-up cosmetic procedures may be necessary to deal with recurring problems.
 

Body contouring is a fairly common procedure and the results are often very satisfactory. Most people who get the procedure end up with smoother and better-looking body shapes. It is, however, very important to talk to the surgeon before the procedure to learn about the risks and benefits.


 

If you want to know more about body contouring after extreme weight loss, visit Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery of Acadiana at our offices in Lafayette, Louisiana. You can also call (337) 226-0400 to book an appointment.