Major weight loss achieved through either natural means or bariatric surgery is a great accomplishment that allows patients to significantly improve their appearance and overall quality of life, while also reducing the risk of weight-related health conditions.
After large amounts of weight loss, many patients are left with loose, hanging skin that has been stretched out by the excess weight and does not conform to the body's new contours. There may also be one or more problem areas that has not responded well to weight loss methods and still contains localized areas of stubborn fat.
Many patients seek body contouring procedures to complete the weight loss process and achieve a smooth, toned appearance that they will be proud to show off. Body contouring procedures often target problem areas such as the:
Multiple procedures may be needed in order to achieve desired results and to reduce the trauma of treating several different body areas at once. Your surgeon will develop a personalized treatment plan for you based on your individual needs and goals for surgery.
Body contouring procedures are generally considered safe, especially when performed by an experienced surgeon. It is important for patients to be in good overall health, at a stable weight and to maintain realistic expectations for surgery. These procedures cannot serve as a means for significant weight loss, but instead reduce the appearance of loose, sagging skin for a smoother body contour.
Although many people diet and exercise, some find that there are still areas of fat deposits that do not improve despite these measures. Such areas may include abdomen, flanks, hips, back, thighs, knees, buttocks, arms, or neck. Liposuction can be used to correct areas that are unresponsive to traditional weight loss methods.
It is important to understand that liposuction surgery is a tool meant for body contouring, not a cure for obesity. During the procedure small incisions are made at various aesthetic locations on the skin, through which a high-pressure vacuum is applied and unwanted fat cells are removed. There are various methods used to perform this procedure. The tumescent technique is most commonly used by plastic surgeons. With this technique, large amounts of saline solution containing small doses of local anesthetic and adrenaline are infused into the fatty deposits being treated. This results in liposuction being performed with minimal or no discomfort, minimal bleeding and minimal postoperative bruising in most cases.
Liposuction through this technique is considered a very safe and effective procedure, with relatively few risks involved. Pain medication and antibiotics are given to the patient following surgery. A compression garment is placed on the treated area and should remain on for the next few weeks, excluding showers. Return to work may depend upon the individual's age, health, and the amount of liposuction performed. Dr. Rosenberg usually permits his patients to resume “normal activity as tolerated” within 48-72 hours of the procedure. Swelling peaks at one week following surgery, then diminishes rapidly over the weeks that follow. Any visible bruising usually disappears within 2 weeks to 1 month.
Also called belt lipectomy, torsoplasty and panniculectomy, the circumferential body lift is performed to remove excess skin from the torso and upper legs.
Candidates for body lifts typically suffer from loose (inelastic) skin on many or most areas of the body as a result of age, childbearing or significant weight loss due to diet, exercise or bariatric surgery. Because of this, the procedure is often combined with others such as breast lifts, arm lifts and liposuction to retain a proper body proportion. Body lifts tighten and tone the abdomen, back, buttocks, hips and thighs.
During the procedure, skin is lifted from underlying tissue, muscles are tightened and stitched, fat is removed where necessary, and the skin is sutured closed. The navel is often removed and replaced in its new position. Surgical tubes may be needed for a few days to drain any fluid, and patients may need to wear compression garments for a few weeks to facilitate faster healing.
After surgery, patients are encouraged to walk as soon as they are able to, although strenuous activities must be limited for about a month. Results are visible immediately.
As we get older, our buttocks may begin to droop and sag like other areas of the body. Fortunately, like these other areas such as the breast and stomach, there are surgical options available for reversing these changes and returning to a tighter and firmer appearance.
A buttock lift can be done by lifting the buttocks, sculpting it with liposuction, enlarging it with implants or fat, or any combination of the three. The type of surgery performed will depend on the new look you desire. Buttock surgeries take into consideration the size, shape and skin quality of your buttocks, as well as the qualities that you desire after surgery. A lift is most often recommended after a large amount of weight loss, when there may be loose or excess skin. However, buttock lifts are not very common procedures because they leave a scar across the upper buttocks.
The actual procedure is performed as an outpatient surgery and usually takes 2-3 hours. Lift surgery is typically performed under general anesthesia. Most patients can return to work after a week to ten days, but full healing will take several months. The risks of a buttock lift are similar to those of other cosmetic surgeries and may include infection, healing problems or fluid drainage.
Fat grafting is a cosmetic surgery technique that can be used to enhance or plump up different areas of the body as an alternative to synthetic implants. During this procedure, fat from the patient’s own body (usually in the abdomen, thighs, or buttocks) is extracted and then injected into another area that is lacking sufficient fat volume and fullness, such as in the face, breasts, buttocks or any other area.
The fat grafting procedure usually takes two to four hours to perform, and usually requires only a local anesthetic. Most patients can return to work and other regular activities after just a few days. This procedure helps eliminate the risk of an allergic reaction, as the injected substance is coming directly from the patient’s own body.
Have a representative contact you. If you have medical questions, please call our office so that a Provider can address your concerns.
