Eating right, exercising often, and practicing healthy habits to achieve a dramatic weight loss is something to be proud of. Committing yourself to an active lifestyle has many benefits for both your mind and body.
When you work so hard, you deserve to look your very best. But excess skin after a dramatic weight loss can keep you from feeling like your hard work has paid off.
Body contouring procedures can help give you a little push over the finish line, helping to remove excess skin and shape your body in a desirable way. There are many different types of body contouring procedures available to you, and there’s no shame in getting a little boost to make your body the best body.
Here’s everything you need to know about body contouring after weight loss.
Body Contouring vs Weight Loss Surgery
One important distinction to make is that body contouring is not a substitution for weight loss surgery. While some plastic surgeries can remove fat or excess skin resulting in a lower body weight, these procedures must usually be completed when you are within at least 30% of your ideal weight.
If you’re considering a surgery to help you lose weight or remain at a stable weight, you may want to consider a gastric bypass surgery.
Am I a Good Candidate for Excess Skin Removal?
Everyone’s story is unique, and there are many factors that go into deciding if you’re a good candidate for any type of plastic surgery. When it comes to body contouring after weight loss, there are a few things that we might look for.
You may be a great candidate if you:
Have positive and realistic goals for the appearance of your body.
Are not using body contouring as a substitution for weight loss.
Are within 30% of your ideal body weight.
Are at a stable weight.
Are committed to an active lifestyle post-op to ensure lasting results.
Nonsmoker.
Surgical Procedures to Remove Excess Skin
Getting a plastic surgery procedure to remove excess skin is common for people who have lost 100 pounds or more and are experiencing significant amounts of saggy skin. Surgical procedures are generally necessary for people with moderate to severe skin sagging.
Tummy Tuck
Also known as an abdominoplasty, the tummy tuck is one of the most common body contouring techniques for removing excess skin after weight loss. During this procedure, excess fat and skin is removed from the abdominal area, and the surrounding muscles are strengthened to produce a smoother and firmer profile.
This is done through an incision between the pubic hairline and the belly button. Fat and skin is removed or trimmed, and the underlying muscles are repaired if need be. Then, the remaining skin is pulled down and sutured to the pubic hairline. A new opening for the belly button is created, and the incisions are closed and wrapped.
Tummy tucks can have a bit of a recovery time that can vary based on the size of incision and amount of excess skin removed. While results will be apparent immediately, you won’t get the full scope of your procedure until the swelling subsides after a few weeks.
However, tummy tucks are an effective way to get the body shape that you worked so hard to achieve. If this is something that interests you, PH-1 Miami is happy to have you come down to our sunny office for a consultation.
Breast Lift
Some women have naturally sagging breasts, but your breasts may also hang lower after a dramatic weight loss due to excess skin. Regardless, if you’re uncomfortable with the size and shape of your breasts, a breast lift (mastopexy) might be right for you.
This procedure can be done with multiple different types of incision, each dependent on the amount of excess fat or skin that must be removed. After the incision is made, the underlying breast tissue is lifted and reshaped to improve the firmness of your breasts.
Additionally, the nipple will be lifted to a more natural height, and excess skin is removed to compensate for any loss of elasticity. The end result is a more contoured upper body with minimal sagging.
The results of your breast lift will be visible immediately after surgery. While it will take some time for you to be able to return to your full range of activities, breast reductions can give you more confidence in your appearance and make it easier to engage in certain exercises, such as running.
Non-Surgical Procedures to Tighten Skin
While surgical procedures are great for sagging skin after losing a lot of weight, you may have some slightly baggy skin after losing a mild to moderate amount of fat. In these circumstances, you may not need a surgical body contouring procedure in order to achieve the results you’re looking for.
Thermi
Thermi is a revolutionary new procedure that uses radiofrequency waves to heat subdermal fat and skin in order to tighten your skin and reduce the appearance of cellulite. It’s non-invasive, meaning your skin is never broken and no incisions are made.
Basically, the device will heat the skin and damage the fat cells underneath to a point beyond repair. The end result is some loss of fat cells and a tighter skin profile. It’s perfect for small amounts of loose skin or stubborn fat deposits that no amount of exercise will shed.
PH-1 Miami is proud to offer Thermi among many other surgical and non-surgical body contouring procedures. We hope to be able to add you to our list of clients!
Will Body Contouring Leave a Scar?
The extent of scarring will depend on the type of procedure you get. For surgical procedures such as the tummy tuck or breast lift, scarring is inevitable. However, they will fade over time and become much less noticeable.
Additionally, most scars can be hidden by clothing such as bikini tops or swimsuit bottoms. Properly taking care of your wounds post-op can also make a huge difference in the extent of scarring later down the line.
How to Make Your Procedure Last
While the results of your body contouring skin removal are technically permanent, fluctuations in your body weight and other factors can affect the appearance of your procedure in the future.
In order to make the results of your surgery last as long as possible, it is important to live an active and healthy lifestyle post-operation.
This means regularly exercising to keep your body weight consistent. While you won’t be able to exercise for the weeks and months following most surgical procedures, you can get right back to the gym when it’s safe to do so. Focus on cardio exercises that will keep fat at bay and also use toning strength exercises to enhance the contour of your muscles.
Additionally, eating nutritious foods is equally important in keeping your body at its peak. Load up on fruits and vegetables while also trying to eat healthy proteins like lean meats, fish, or nuts. Proper nutrition is especially important when you’re exercising often.
Achieving your best body can’t be done with plastic surgery alone. It is a lifetime effort that’s a combination of active living, proper nutrition, and body contouring procedures.
In Conclusion
Losing a lot of weight is a great thing, and you should be able to feel proud of your accomplishment. If excess saggy skin is preventing you from feeling fully confident, then a body contouring procedure might be just what you need.
Surgical procedures such as tummy tucks or breast lifts are great ways to improve the firmness of your abdomen and chest by removing excess hanging skin. While these aren’t substitutes for weight loss surgery, they can drastically improve the contour of your core.
For more mild cases, non-invasive Thermi treatments are great for tightening the skin and removing stubborn fat deposits that may be tough to get rid of. These also won’t scar as opposed to surgical treatments that will.
After your surgery, it’s important to remember that exercising and eating right are essential for making the effects of your procedure last as long as possible. Keeping your weight stable will help fight natural elements that can diminish the positive attributes of your body contouring surgery.
If you’re yearning for your best body and you think a body contouring procedure will get you there, we’d love to see you in our office at PH-1 Miami. From tummy tucks to Thermi treatments, we are excited to help you achieve your ultimate body goals.
Sources:
Gastric Bypass Surgery | University of California, Los Angeles
Tummy Tuck Procedure Steps | American Society of Plastic Surgeons
