BODY CONTOURING
Post-bariatric surgery after massive weight loss
Body contouring aims at restoring attractive proportions by removing the sagging skin around the face, neck, upper arms, breasts, abdomen, buttocks and thighs that create a misshapen contour.
Graduated from New York University as a fellow of plastic surgery in 1990, Dr. Husami, MD, Cosmetic, Plastic and hand surgeon, asserts that a combination of body contouring surgeries may be performed all at once.
Discussing each case individually and taking into consideration the patient’s need and overall health are the key factors for having a successful, risk-free body contouring procedure, if done by an expert plastic surgeon.
Making sure that your doctor is registered in LSPRAS (www.lspras.com) is already the first step towards safety.
An "upper body lift" may include a combination of surgeries to the arms, back and breasts/chest while a "lower body lift" may include a combination of surgeries to the hips, thighs, abdomen and buttocks.
WHEN TO DO IT
• After dramatic weight loss due to bariatric surgery or diet.
• In case of sagging skin in multiple areas, including the face, neck, breasts, arms, abdomen, back and thighs.
• 18 months is the time required to reach a stabilized weight.
BEST CANDIDATES
• Good health without chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease.
• Non smoking people because smoking slows down the healing process
• People with mental stamina as surgical contouring procedures require patience and endurance.
BENEFITS
• Gets rid of loose skin
• Fewer skin problems
• Better looking body
• Boosts self-esteem
CONS
• Permanent scars in unremarkable areas
• The surgery results may be affected by weight gain, aging and lifestyle choices.
• A stable weight and fitness is required.
ABDOMEN LIFT known as Panniculectomy
A panniculectomy removes excess skin from the lower abdomen below the belly button. It is often performed on patients who are still significantly overweight. It tightens the underlying abdominal muscles.
Procedure: An incision is made above the pubic area from hip to hip. Sometimes a vertical incision is necessary too.
LOWER BODY LIFT known as Belt Lipectomy
This procedure reshapes the abdomen, waist, hips, thighs and buttocks through an incision made around the circumference of the body.
Procedure: The incision is made in the belt area of the upper hips. Loose skin and underlying fat tissue are removed from below the incision.
THIGH LIFT also known as Thighplasty
This surgical procedure removes extra skin and fat to give better-proportioned thighs. It depends upon the quantity of excess fat and skin quality.
Procedure: A medial thigh lift, designed to remove excess skin from the upper leg involves an incision along the inner thigh starting at the groin and extending to the buttock.
BREAST LIFT known as Mastopexy
A breast lifts with or without augmentation (enlargement with implants) treats sagging and uneven breasts, decreased breast volume, drooping nipples and stretched areolas.
Procedure: Incisions depend on the amount of excess skin and nipples position they can be made vertically or underneath the breast in the form of an upside-down "T."
UPPER ARM LIFT known as brachioplasty
An arm lift removes excess skin and fat deposits giving upper arms a more youthful contour.
Procedure: Incisions are placed on the inside or back of the arm and may extend from the underarm (axilla) to just above the elbow.
FACE AND NECK LIFT known as Facelift
Removing excess skin around the face or neck after weight loss is similar to a traditional facelift, except that more skin is removed.
Procedure: As a result, incision location may need to be altered.
LIPOSUCTION also known as lipoplasty
Liposuction is frequently used in conjunction with other plastic surgery procedures following dramatic weight loss.
Procedure: A thin, hollow rod (cannula) is inserted through very small incisions to create tunnels through the fat.
Suction forces the fat into the cannula and out a high-vacuum hose.
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