What types of body contouring are there?
Options for body contouring surgery include:
- Arm lift (Brachioplasty)
- Breast lift
- Facelift
- Lower body lift (Panniculectomy)
- Thigh lift (Thighplasty)
- Upper body lift (upper arms)
- Tummy tuck
You might be thinking of a single body contouring procedure or a combination. We’ll collaborate with you to pinpoint your goals, create a strategy suited to your individual requirements, and ensure the safest possible outcome.
Who is a good candidate for body contouring?
You could be an excellent candidate for body contouring surgery if you lost significant weight through bariatric surgery, diet, and exercise. Body sculpting works best when you’ve maintained a constant weight for many months. Patients who get this procedure are often in good physical and mental condition, but the extra skin negatively impacts their general well-being.
To be a candidate for body contouring plastic surgery, you should meet these requirements:
- It’s been at least 18 months since your bariatric surgery.
- You lost 100 pounds or more, had a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or less, or had a weight reduction of 40 percent or less.
- You’ve experienced at least six months of maintaining a stable weight.
- You have experienced persistent, recurrent problems brought on by extra skin that have been documented for at least three months.
Who might need body contouring surgery?
A body contouring procedure could be possible if you have had massive weight loss after weight-loss surgery. You may not like how you appear if you have excessive folds in your skin. Not only can these skin folds lead to body image issues, but they may also lead to additional problems. These include:
- Discomfort
- Swelling, rash, or ulcers between the skin folds in your groin. This could cause an infection.
- Issues with cleanliness in these areas, particularly the groin
- Difficulty walking
- Having issues with sexual activity
- Low self-esteem
How do I prepare for body contouring surgery to remove excess skin?
Ask your doctor whether you are a good candidate for body contouring surgery. The procedure’s risks may not be worthwhile if you have certain medical conditions. Dr. Tersigni would be happy to discuss your medical history and recommend if excess skin removal is right for you.
Your doctor will want to ensure you have an accurate understanding of what the procedure may accomplish. Additionally, you must resolve to lead a healthy lifestyle after the procedure. This includes healthy eating and frequent exercise.
This procedure shouldn’t be performed until you have attained a stable weight. Following surgery, more pockets of sagging skin could develop if you lose more weight. Additionally, gaining a lot of weight following surgery might injure your already fragile skin. More stretch marks and broad scars may result from this. This is why it is important to have a stable weight before any plastic surgery procedures.
Smokers must stop at least a few weeks before their procedure. You have a much higher risk of complications if you smoke. However, most doctors won’t perform this operation if you’re still a smoker. Some medications will need to be stopped before the operation. These consist of over-the-counter drugs like aspirin.
Your surgeon will perform tests before the procedure. These may consist of:
- Using an electrocardiogram to check your heart rhythm
- Testing your lung function using pulmonary function
- simple blood tests to look for infections, diabetes, anemia, and renal function
Your surgeon will give you detailed instructions on preparing for your body contouring procedure.
Does health insurance pay for body contouring surgery?
Patients who have had bariatric surgery and lost weight generally have their body contouring surgery charges covered by their insurance. Patients with medical issues, wounds, or extra skin that interferes with their everyday activities may also be covered by insurance. Check with your insurance provider to see if your specific plan covers body contouring procedures.
During your body contouring consultation, your Bay Bariatrics surgeon will go through the charges and the body contouring surgical procedure with you.
Can loose skin from weight loss go away on its own?
The appearance of loose skin may be reduced by increasing muscle mass through weight training activities, particularly if the loose skin results from weight loss. The skin’s capacity to contract with weight loss may be compromised if extra fat has stretched it over a prolonged period. Your skin will probably retract on its own if you lose only a small to moderate amount of weight. However, you may need body-contouring surgery to tighten or remove loose skin after more considerable weight loss.
Is skin removal surgery painful?
Removing extra skin requires major surgery. For a few weeks, discomfort is to be expected. Dr. Tersigni and Dr. Rogalsky will provide pain medication and advise you on how to reduce discomfort. Moving around, climbing stairs, or getting up off the sofa could be unpleasant in the first few days after surgery.
Does skin removal surgery help you lose weight?
Body contouring helps to change the body’s shape and remove extra tissue, but it doesn’t significantly reduce fat. After surgery, many of our patients discover they are between five and 10 pounds lighter. However, if a lot of extra skin has to be removed, you might lose up to 15 pounds.
Does body contouring to remove excess skin leave scars?
It’s important to realize that having body contouring surgery involves some trade-offs. Skin will need to be removed to get the desired slim shape, leaving behind permanent scars. Dr. Tersigni is trained in procedures that tighten skin and lessen the visibility of scars by placing them in certain areas of the body.
Scars may be made less noticeable using topical creams and laser skin treatments, but they won’t go away entirely. Knowing this may help you set reasonable expectations for your procedure.
What is a hanging stomach called?
A panniculectomy is a procedure used to remove stretched-out, extra fat, and overhanging skin from your abdomen. This procedure might happen after a person’s drastic weight loss. Your genitalia and thighs might be covered by skin that hangs down. Your health and looks are both improved by having this skin removed surgically.
How do you know how much extra skin you will have after bariatric surgery?
Genetics, bodyweight distribution, and the amount of weight loss all have a role in how much extra skin a person may have after bariatric surgery. Most Bay Bariatrics patients have some excess skin, but if they have a BMI lower than average, they won’t have as much extra skin to deal with.
How long does recovery take after body contouring surgery?
Recovery varies widely depending on how many procedures you decide to have, but it usually takes six weeks. Because procedures may be performed on various body parts, it’s crucial to create a support system and seek the assistance of loved ones while you recuperate. During the first six weeks after surgery, you should refrain from exercising, running, leaping, or heavy lifting to let your body recover.
If you’d like to learn more about if you are a candidate for life-changing body contouring procedures, please call our office to schedule your consultation with Dr. Tersigni or Dr. Rogalsky.
