Body Contouring Surgery
Many individuals who have lost a substantial amount of body weight through bariatric surgery are happy to achieve this major health and fitness milestone. But even after losing a significant amount of weight, they still have loose, heavy folds of skin left as a reminder of their former self.
Body contouring cosmetic surgery can eliminate the extra skin and enhance the tone and shape of the tissue in their thighs, arms, butt, breasts, abdomen, and face.
There are various types of body contouring procedures to enable these areas to attain a sleeker, firmer shape. These include body lift, tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), breast lifts, buttock augmentation, and arm lift.
Body Lift
Body lift surgery is a common procedure to enhance the body’s appearance following weight loss surgery. In addition, the outcomes are long-lasting if the patient keeps their weight stable.
The surgeon places an incision along the abdomen and eliminates excess, loose skin. In addition, the surgeon lifts and tightens the butt, waist, abdomen, arms, thighs, and hips in the same procedure.
Liposuction is typically undertaken to eliminate fat and enhance body contour. Extreme weight loss can often flatten the buttocks, and the patient may require buttock augmentation.
Body lift plastic surgery can create a dramatic transformation in the patient’s appearance. The outcomes are permanent, other than the loss of natural tautness that occurs due to aging.
However, body lifts do have certain associated risks. For instance, scarring will occur. Some individuals continue to have issues with loose skin while others may require a follow-up cosmetic procedure.
The likelihood of the patient developing complications corresponds to their BMI (body mass index). The potential complications of body lifts include infection, bleeding, abnormal scars, tissue death, and development of a seroma (a lump or mass that occurs due to the accumulation of fluid in an organ or tissue).
The surgeon will discuss the risks and advantages of the procedure with the patient prior to the procedure. However, for a majority of people, the outcome is a firmer, more normal physique.
Tummy Tuck
As a part of body lift surgery, people typically undergo a “tummy tuck.” A tummy tuck helps flatten the stomach when diet, exercise, and weight loss have been unable to do the job. An abdominoplasty is not the same as liposuction. But the patient may require liposuction as an element of a tummy tuck.
In a full tummy tuck, the surgeon makes a substantial cut around the navel that extends from hipbone to hipbone. The surgeon may manipulate tissues, skin, and muscle, and repair weakened abdominal muscles. They may also slightly move the patient’s belly button to conform to their new shape. Sometimes the surgeon may place a second incision to eliminate excess skin in the upper abdomen area.
The scars will fade to a certain extent over time. The outcome will be a tauter, flatter abdomen that better matches a sleeker body shape.
Breast Lift
In case the patient’s breasts are sagging, a breast lift can help firm, lift, and reshape them. The surgeon will eliminate excess skin and tissue in a breast lift and reposition the nipple higher on her chest.
Questions? Book a Consultation Now.
Contact Houston / Webster, Texas Plastic Surgeon Shitel D. Patel, MD at Lift Plastic Surgery.
For more information on cosmetic procedures and treatments provided please schedule a consultation.
Serving patients in Houston Texas, Webster, League City, Galveston, Pearland, Kemah, Seabrook and all other surrounding Greater Houston, Texas communities and more.