Body contouring surgery may be used to tighten loose skin following extreme weight loss (such as after bariatric surgery). It can also be used to improve the appearance of the back, arms, thighs, and abdomen.
Body Contouring Procedures
Liposuction
Liposuction removes small areas of fat remaining around a patient’s hips, tummy, thighs, and buttocks that won’t disappear despite regular exercise and a proper diet. Liposuction uses a suctioning technique to remove excess fat deposits between the skin and muscle, reshaping the affected area to a more appealing contour. As long as the patient’s weight remains stable, the improved appearance is usually permanent.
Tummy tuck (Abdominoplasty)
Excess skin or fat in the abdomen develops for several reasons, including pregnancy, heredity, and significant weight fluctuations. A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, removes the excess skin and fat, creating a more appealing body profile. The surgical procedure also tightens the muscle in the abdominal wall, in most cases resulting in a tauter, well-toned abdomen.
Arm lift (Brachioplasty)
Flabby skin that develops on the upper arm can be the result of weight loss, aging or heredity. An arm lift, or brachioplasty, procedure removes the loose skin as well as excess fat in the arm. The result is well-contoured and better-defined arms for patients.
Thigh lift
Excess skin, and in some cases fat, can be removed surgically with a thigh lift, a procedure that creates smoother, better-proportioned thighs and lower body. Through incisions, the underlying tissue is tightened and excess skin and fat are removed, reshaping the upper leg. Results are generally long-lasting if the patient maintains a stable weight and remains fit.
Buttock lift (Posterior body lift)
The combined effects of aging, gravity, and lack of exercise can result in an expanding waistline. A buttock lift, or posterior body lifet, is a surgical procedure that removes loose skin and fat from the entire waist, including “love handles.” The procedure has the advantage of repositioning the remaining skin and lifting the buttocks to produce a more youthful, shapely appearance.
Circumferential body lift (Belt lipectomy)
The circumferential body lift procedure is used to remove areas of loose skin following massive weight loss from diet and exercise, or after bariatric weight loss surgery. No amount of dieting or exercise will make this excess skin go away. This surgical procedure removes a belt of skin, subcutaneous fat and tissue in the abdomen, waist and buttock area, resulting in a smoother, more youthful body contour.
