Body Contouring
Most commonly requested following bariatric weight loss surgery, body contouring after major weight loss improves the shape and tone of underlying tissue supporting fat and skin. The procedure also removes excess sagging fat and skin.
Bariatric surgery is an elective procedure that is highly successful at helping obese individuals lose large amounts of weight and achieve healthier lifestyles. In many instances, however, this dramatic weight loss leaves behind sagging, redundant skin on the face, neck, arms, breast, abdomen, buttocks or thighs. The excess fat deposits and excess skin can be frustrating for patients who have recently lost substantial weight, and body contouring is designed to restore the body to a more youthful and firm state. Body contouring after major weight loss corrects areas that may not have bounced back after substantial weight loss and are not affected by proper exercise and diet.
Body Contouring Procedure
Body contouring is not a single procedure, but rather a combination of advanced procedures designed to specifically target areas of the body where sagging skin may persist. Through a series of lifts, the body can be restored to a more youthful and firm appearance. The procedures that may be recommended by Dr. Michele Koo include:
- Lower body lift- Corrects sagging of the abdomen, buttocks, groin and outer thighs
- Breast lift- Corrects sagging and/or flattened breasts
- Arm lift- Corrects sagging in the upper arms
- Thigh lift- Corrects sagging in the inner, outer and mid-thigh
Depending on the amount of correction necessary, these procedures may need to be spread over time to allow the body to heal. All of the body contouring procedures require incision that may be extensive, and the body will need time to heal following these procedures prior to correcting other areas of the body. Dr. Michele Koo will design a personalized plan that will take into account the goals desired as well as the timing of these procedures.
Incision length and size will vary depending on the amount of correction needed to produce the desired result. In most cases, advanced techniques allow for incision to be hidden in the natural folds and creases of the body that can be covered with most forms of clothing. However, this is not always the case.
Body contouring is a highly individualized procedure that will be customized to the needs of each individual patient. Particular conditions and goals of patients will help Dr. Michele Koo define a surgical plan. In cases where sagging is extreme and located in multiple areas of the body, body contouring can take up to 2 years to complete given the need to space out procedures while the body heals.
Body Contouring Results
Results from body contouring are almost immediately visible following the procedure. As long as a proper diet and exercise regimen are followed, the results can be long-lasting. If excessive weight is gained or lost following any of the body contouring procedures, drooping and sagging skin may return. Due to the size and length of incisions, visible scarring will remain, but will fade over time as the body heals.