How Can Body Contouring Help Me Post-Weight Loss?

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The journey toward weight loss involves discipline and commitment. When people dedicate their time and energy to shed some pounds, they should be proud of their accomplishments, especially when those accomplishments include losing a massive amount of weight. However, there is something they don’t warn you about with weight loss: you can be left with unwanted excess skin. 

In cases where a large amount of weight is lost quickly, the skin is often not strong enough to retract back to form around the body. This leaves many patients with excess, sagging skin that is unresponsive to diet, exercise, or at-home treatments. This can be frustrating when a person is at their goal weight but doesn’t feel confident to show off their results. 

Am I a Candidate for Body Contouring? 

So, you lost the weight, but what about that extra skin? Body contouring is an ideal option for eliminating excess skin and fat to create a more flattering figure.

Many men and women are eager to jump into body contouring procedures after significant weight loss. And why not? Cosmetic body contouring is the final step in the weight loss journey for many individuals, and without it, many men and women consider their transformation to be incomplete. 

Before you rush into any surgical procedure, there are some considerations to be made.

Are You At Your Goal Weight?

Before you consider any body contouring procedure, your weight loss should be complete or almost complete. Body contouring will address your current skin laxity, but if you plan on losing more weight, you may have to deal with additional loose skin. 

Instead of undergoing multiple procedures, which can be expensive, it is better to wait until you are ready.

Have You Maintained Your Weight? 

Before undergoing any body contouring procedures, it is important to be confident that you will maintain your weight. Even if you did not go to the gym every day, you likely increased your movement in some way. Unfortunately, every body contouring procedure requires downtime, which will prevent you from being able to exercise. If you can maintain your weight loss before your procedures, it is more likely that you will continue to maintain your results afterward.

Which Body Contouring Procedure Is Right for Me? 

The goal of body contouring is to remove skin and stubborn fat to reshape the body. Many different procedures can be performed alone or combined to restore the curves and shape of the body. The following are some of your body contouring options:

Lower Body Lift Surgery 

Sagging skin and excess fat can be eliminated from the abdomen, flanks, thighs, back, and buttocks. With the lower body lift, excess tissue and skin are trimmed, and the remaining tissues are sculpted to provide a more slender appearance. 

Thigh Lift Surgery 

Dimpling and sagging skin on the inner and outer thighs are corrected. The thighs can be shaped and tightened with thigh lift surgery to look slimmer while complementing the lower legs and buttocks. 

Brazilian Butt Lift 

Fat is harvested from one area of the body, cleaned and purified, and then strategically injected into the buttocks. In comparison to traditional buttock augmentation procedures, the Brazilian Butt Lift can help a patient achieve a larger, more round bottom safely and efficiently. 

Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) 

Loose skin, excess fat, and weak abdominal muscles are corrected by removing unwanted skin, fat, and tissue. Patients can achieve a more defined and youthful abdomen that creates an overall more slender midsection with a tummy tuck. 

Breast Lift Surgery 

Aging, sagging breasts are lifted into a higher position to create more youthful, feminine curves. Patients often combine breast lift surgery with a breast augmentation if they would like to increase the size or improve the shape of the breasts using saline or silicone breast implants. 

Liposuction Procedure 

Stubborn fat deposits can be removed from any area of the body. Liposuction is often combined with body lifting procedures to eliminate excess skin and reduce fat cells in problem areas. 

Interested in Learning More?

If you are at or near your ideal body weight but have some excess skin or pockets of fat to target, body contouring may be the right option for you. Dr. Wilson, our board-certified plastic surgeon, can evaluate your body and goals to help you decide if you are a good candidate for body contouring. Schedule your consultation today! Contact us by calling (256) 551-2002 or filling out our online contact form.