Losing an excessive amount of weight is a life-changing achievement. Whether you did it through diet, exercise, or bariatric surgery. However, you can reach your ideal weight after doing hard work, dedication, and sacrifice, but you are not happy with the end result or with your physical proportions. Because of the dramatic weight loss, you may be left with excess skin, and a saggy, deflated look on areas such as your upper arms, breasts, abdomen, buttocks, and thighs.
Luckily, thanks to the body contouring procedure and other types of cosmetic surgery, they can remove the extra skin and help you achieve the trim physique you desire and deserve.
What Body Contouring Procedures are Available?
Tummy Tuck
After significant weight loss, many men and women have excess sagging skin and stretch marks on the midsection area. This sagging skin is often referred to as a “belly pooch”. Tummy tuck surgery helps to eliminate stubborn skin from the abdominal area while tightening the abdominal muscles. As a result, you will have a sleeker and more defined appearance. Having a flatter, firmer midsection can dramatically improve the way clothing fits and looks, helping you feel more confident and comfortable in your body.
For this procedure, your surgeon makes an incision around the navel to remove any stubborn fat. After trimming the excess skin, the surgeon will tighten the remaining skin and reposition it with internal sutures. Lastly, the incisions will be closed. Lastly, the incisions will be closed.
Breast Lift
If your breasts are sagging or deflated due to excessive weight loss, a breast lift can help to remove excess skin, reshape the remaining tissue, and tighten the surrounding muscles to create a more youthful and lifted appearance. You can also follow the breast lift with breast implants to get a better shape and size of the breasts.
Breast lift surgery is typically performed under general anaesthesia. Recovery times can vary, but most individuals are able to return to work and light activities within a few days to a week. If you’re a woman planning to get pregnant again, it’s best to wait for body contouring surgery until you’ve completed your family.
Arm Lift
For many individuals, the upper arms can be a significant source of insecurity. Significant weight loss can lead to the development of excess fat and loose skin. When this happens, it’s impossible to make the arms appear more sculpted without cosmetic help. An arm lift can help to remove excess skin and stubborn fat from the upper arms while creating a smoother, more toned appearance. This procedure is often performed in combination with other body contouring procedures, such as a tummy tuck or body lift.
During the procedure, your surgeon makes an incision from the elbow to the armpit, and then the surgeon removes the excess fat and skin to reveal slimmer, smoother, and shapelier arms.
Thigh Lift
Similar to sagging skin on the upper body, many people experience loose skin on their thighs after their weight loss.
Thigh lift surgery helps to improve the shape of the upper portion of the inner legs by excising unwanted skin and tightening the remaining tissue. After your thigh lift, you’ll be able to wear those shorts you’ve always desired.
For a thigh lift, the surgeon makes an incision at the top of the leg, near the bikini line. And then the surgeon will remove the stubborn skin that can’t go away with diet and exercise.
The Final Thoughts
Having excess or loose skin in the arms, thighs, or abdominal area distracts from the slimmer physique and makes a healthy body appear poorly contoured, unhealthy, or asymmetrical. Plastic surgery after major weight loss eliminates this redundant skin and contours your body for a more tailored and healthier appearance.
