Body Contouring

Body Contouring Description

If you have undergone dramatic weight loss that has resulted in excess sagging skin, surgical body contouring may be right for you. Exercise cannot always achieve desired results for people who have uneven contours and loose skin. The result of surgery is a smoother, more attractive body contour. A body contouring procedure after major weight loss is an important and rewarding phase of your challenge to have a healthier, more proportionate body, and can help you further enhance your body image and self-confidence.

Body Contouring Benefits

• Minimize serious health threats that can be caused by weak and sagging skin
• A firmer face, neck and jowls correcting a droopy, sad appearance
• Improve the tone and shape of the abdominal, buttocks, groin and thigh areas
• Restore breasts and nipples to be symmetrical and upright
• Correct bat-wing like appearance by improving the shape and tone of your arms
• Present an attractive appearance of the body with smoother contours

Preparing for a Body Contouring Procedure

If you have had weight reduction surgery, you must wait until your weight loss has stabilized. If you continue to lose weight, sagging pockets will redevelop. If you rapidly regain the weight you have lost, you will traumatically stress your already weakened and thinned skin, causing further stress to the skin, visible stretch marks and wide scars. You will begin the process with a doctor consultation where you will be asked many questions to ensure you are a good candidate for the procedure. Health history, physical, likely outcomes and potential risks are a few examples of topics that will be discussed during your consultation. If you are considering future pregnancy, you may want to delay your body contouring procedure as pregnancy can diminish results. The procedure will be conducted at a licensed surgical center in the Kansas City metropolitan area.

Body Contouring FAQ

HOW DO I KNOW I AM A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR A BODY CONTOURING?

Adults of any age who weight loss has stabilized are good candidates for this procedure. We recommend our patients be in good health and non-smokers to ensure successful healing. Specific plastic surgery procedures that may be recommended for your body contouring include: Facelift, Breast Lift, Tummy Tuck, Body Lifts and/or Brachioplasty (Arm Lifts). Body Contouring is often performed in stages so our surgeons take in to consideration your conditions, goals, health, safety and comfort to design a surgical plan specifically for you. We also recommend our patients have a positive outlook with specific goals in mind for improving their image and be committed to leading a healthy lifestyle including proper nutrition and fitness.

HOW LONG WILL BODY CONTOURING RECOVERY TAKE?

Following all doctors’ instructions is essential to successful recovery. You will need someone to drive you home following the procedure and stay with you the first night. Discomfort is common following the procedure, however medication can be prescribed to manage the pain. Dressing or bandages will be applied to your incisions, and you may have certain areas wrapped in an elastic bandage to minimize swelling and to support your new contours as you heal.

You will be instructed to return to light walking as soon as possible to minimize complications. You may also be instructed to avoid bending, lifting or bearing any weight for several days to weeks. You will be ready to return to work and light, normal activities within a few weeks, as long as you do not engage in any lifting or vigorous exercise. It usually takes 1-2 weeks for your incision to heal and stitches are removed or absorbed. Additional healing will continue for many weeks with numbness and a firm feeling over the skins’s surface being resolved over time.

WHAT ARE THE LONG-TERM EFFECTS?

You must practice diligent sun protection until the healing process is fully completed. It may take a year or more following a given procedure for incision lines to refine and fade to some degree. You need to follow your plastic surgeon’s instructions and attend follow-up visits as scheduled.

WILL MY “NEW” BODY LAST FOREVER?

Achieving a body contour that matches your body weight and proportion unfortunately does come with visible scars. This is a fair trade-off that results in a smooth and toned body that will be long-lasting, provided that you maintain a stable weight and general fitness. As your body ages, it is natural to lose some firmness. However, most of your improvement should be relatively permanent.

More body contouring questions? Please contact us for a free consultation.