Sometimes, people work to lose extra body weight, enhance their BMI, and acquire desired weight and body shape. However, a successful loss of a lot of weight can leave patients with extremely stubborn fat in specific areas and sagging skin. Fortunately, medical procedures both surgical and non-surgical are available for acquiring a proportionate body shape. A body contouring procedure serves precisely that purpose after massive weight loss.

What is Body Contouring?

Body contouring refers to many types of clinical procedures that remove excess body fat and correct sagging skin. The standard surgeries commonly requested for body contouring include procedures like breast lifts, lower body lifts, thigh lifts, and arm lifts.

However, not everyone can undergo body contouring surgery, and specific criteria must be met in order for people to qualify for various procedures.

Good Candidates For Body Contouring

Various attributes characterize the fittest patients to undergo body contouring. These include:

  • Being at a stable and healthy weight
  • Being a non-smoker
  • Having good overall health
  • Being optimistic yet realistic for the outcome of their results
  • Able to commit to following proper nutrition and engaging in regular exercise to maintain results

If you plan on becoming pregnant following a body contouring surgery, you are likely not a good candidate, as the changes that occur during pregnancy would negatively affect the outcome of your procedure.

Common Body Contouring Procedures

Breast lift

A breast lift helps firm, lift, or reshape sagging breasts. The procedure entails the removal of excess skin, tightening internal breast tissue, and repositioning the nipple so it points forward rather than down.

Lower Body Lift

Lower body lift is a standard contouring procedure. The procedure corrects sagging body tissues, especially the buttocks, outer thighs, abdomen, and groin.

Thigh Lift

A thigh lift is also a vital body contouring procedure that may or may not be included in a full lower body lift. A thigh lift helps correct sagging skin on the outer, inner, and mid-thigh.

Arm Lift

An arm lift is a procedure that corrects the sagging of the skin on a person’s upper arms, sometimes referred to as “bingo wings.”

All body contouring procedures require incisions to get rid of excessive fat and skin. However, the incision’s location, depth, and pattern vary based on the amount of skin and fat that a patient has.

Recovery After Body Contouring Procedures

Patients wear compression bandages to regulate swelling after body contouring procedures. Some patients may also need drains to remove excess fluids that may collect as a patient recovers. Patients should not lift things or bend too much for the first one to two weeks after a body contouring surgery to avoid putting stress on the incision sites and tissues.

Board-certified plastic surgeons like Dr. Howland can offer personalized instructions for daily movement to encourage healthy circulation following surgery as well as how to protect your incisions while continuing to go about your normal routine.

Book an Appointment in Draper, UT

Body contouring procedures can help you achieve a firmer, better-looking, and more confident body contour. For effective and personalized body contouring surgeries, reach out to us at Howland Plastic Surgery by calling our office or filling out our online contact form today.