Body Contouring: Learn about the procedure
A body contouring is a procedure for individuals who recently lost a lot of weight from lifestyle changes or weight loss surgery. When you lose a large amount of weight rapidly, your tissues and skin may fail to regain its elasticity, resulting in sagging skin. Body contouring procedures can help remove excess sagging fat and skin to improve your body’s shape and smooth your contours.
There is more than one type of body contouring procedure, though. In fact, there are many, including the following:
- Breast Lifts
- Arm Lifts
- Lower Body Lifts
- Facelifts
- Thigh Lifts
- Tummy Tucks
Who Is a Good Candidate for a Body Contouring Procedure?
There are a few key factors that make you a good candidate for body contouring, including the following:
- Your weight loss has stabilized
- You are healthy
- You don’t smoke
- You have a positive outlook on life
- You have realistic goals
- You commit to a healthy lifestyle
Initial Consultation
Prior to your procedure, you will meet with your plastic surgeon for a body contouring consultation. During the consultation, you and your doctor may discuss the following:
- Surgical goals
- Medical conditions
- Drug allergies
- Previous medical treatments
- Any medication you currently take
- Previous surgeries
Additionally, during your consultation, your surgeon may perform a physical exam and take detailed measurements. He or she may also evaluate your overall health and potential risk factors. From there, they will discuss your options and make treatment recommendations.
It’s important to note that during your consultation you should be as candid as possible and answer all your surgeon’s questions as truthfully as possible.
Risks with Body Contouring Procedure
Like many other surgical procedures, there are certain risk factors to think about before going under the knife. Some potential risks and complications include the following:
- Infection
- Poor Wound Healing
- Skin Loss
- Bleeding
- Blood Clots
- Pulmonary Embolism
- Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
- Excessive Scarring
- Numbness
- Anesthesia Risks
- Contour Irregularity
Preparing for Your Procedure
While preparing for your body contouring procedure, there are a few things you’ll have to do leading up to the surgery, including the following:
- Obtain clearance from your bariatric surgeon and primate care doctor
- Undergo all necessary tests
- Adjust medication as surgeon instructs
- Quit smoking
Recovery after Body Contouring Procedure
After your procedure, your doctor will apply dressings and bandages to your incisions and he or she may even place thin tubes under your skin to help drain excess fluid and blood from the area around the incision site. You will also receive instructions on how to care for the incision and medications to help the healing process. Additionally, your doctor will schedule any follow-up appointments her or she wants you to attend.
During your recovery, you will want to avoid lifting heavy objects, as well as bending over or straining yourself. Depending on what type of body contouring procedure you had, your doctor may also instruct you to avoid standing fully upright until you’re healed, and to sleep. To minimize the risk of blood clots forming in your legs, you will also want to walk frequently and drink plenty of water.
