Body-Contouring after Massive Weight Loss

Body Contouring: The Body Lift- Enhancement in Life

Body Contouring includes sculpting or reshaping different areas of the body to improve the overall balance and appearance of the body. The procedure removes excess skin and/or fat that lost its elasticity following massive weight loss and is unable to conform to the underlying tissue. The benefits of body contouring surgery include:

• Reduce saggy loose and excessively full upper arms
• Lift and reshape breasts that sag and rest low below the breast crease
• Reduce and/or reposition the nipple for a more natural appearance
• Remove overhanging abdominal tissue which extends to the back
• Remove sagging pockets of skin of the buttocks, groin, and thighs
• Improves the shape and tone of your underlying tissue
• Resolves skin conditions associated with excessive aprons of fat, tissue, and skin
• Allows for participation in more social activities and an active lifestyle
• Greater self confidence and self-esteem

Body contouring may require both plastic surgery to address cosmetic needs and reconstructive surgery to improve abnormal structures of the body, caused by congenital defects, developmental abnormalities, trauma, infection, tumors or disease. Reconstructive surgery is generally performed to improve functions, but may also be done to result in a more normal appearance. These bodily areas usually involve surgical operations which may be reconstructive and/or cosmetic, depending on each patient's situation. Dr. Champion will review the extent and nature of your body lift procedure at the time of an initial consultation at her office.

The Body Contouring Procedure

Body contouring surgery is usually the final phase in the total weight loss experience, and it is important your weight is stabilized and that you are in optimal health. Excellence in care is our primary concern for body lift patients. There are primarily four steps that are involved in the body contouring procedure, including:

The Anesthesia

Patients will receive anesthesia to provide the greatest comfort during their body contouring procedure. Dr. Champion will discuss the type of anesthesia you will receive at the time of your initial consultation.

The Incision

Body lift procedures require incisions that may vary in location, length and pattern. The incision choice depends on the nature of the excess skin to be removed, including the amount and location of the excess skin. Though there are some traditional incision locations that may be used in the procedure, Dr. Champion will review the optimal incision choice for you at the time of consultation.

The Body Lift Technique

During the body lift procedure, Dr. Champion may remove excess fat, tissue, and skin. As well, she may use a cannula to assist in the removal of fat through the liposuction procedure. Extensive body lift procedures may be staged over the course of two years time.

Body Lift

A complete lower body lift treats sagging buttocks, abdomen, waist, hips and outer thighs in one procedure or in staged procedures. Incision patterns vary, and may include a circumferential incision around the body to remove the "belt" of excess skin and fat.

Thigh Lift

During the thigh lift procedure, Dr. Champion will create incisions in the groin that may extend to the knee along the inner thigh. Outer thigh incisions may extend from the groin around the hip. Then, Dr. Champion may use liposuction to remove excess fat and will trim excess skin and tissue on the thighs. Finally, the incisions will be closed with sutures, skin adhesives and/or surgical tape.

Arm Lift

During the arm lift procedure, Dr. Champion will create incisions in the area of the underarm and may extend along the inside or back of the upper arm. Then, Dr. Champion may use liposuction to remove excess fat and will trim excess skin and tissue on the arms. Finally, the incisions will be closed with sutures, skin adhesives and/or surgical tape.

Breast Lift and/or Breast Reduction

During the breast reduction and breast lift procedure, Dr. Champion may reposition existing breast tissue and trim excess skin and tissue on the breasts. Dr. Champion will reposition the nipple while preserving the blood supply. Finally, the incisions will be closed with sutures, skin adhesives and/or surgical tape.

Buttock Lift

During a buttock lift procedure, Dr. Champion may use one or more methods to achieve a satisfactory outcome. This may include liposuction and/or the removal of excess skin to lift the buttock area. Dr. Champion may reposition fat in the buttocks as well. Finally, the incisions will be closed with sutures, skin adhesives and/or surgical tape.

Body Contouring Recovery

Body contouring recovery requires careful attention, and the recovery time may be extensive depending upon the extent of the procedure. Dr. Champion will provide you with a list of important instructions to follow for an enhanced recovery period. These instructions will include: medications to take and avoid, dates to return to the office, hygiene, care for incisions, and the types of activities to perform or avoid in the weeks following body lift surgery.

Body contouring requires serious consideration due to the possible complexity of the procedure and for the scars that will appear over time. Most patients find the benefits far outweigh the risks. There are also limitations in the procedure. For example, it may not be possible to achieve optimal results with a single surgical procedure and another surgery may be necessary. In rare cases, complications may arise, but can be managed when immediately reported to Dr. Champion.

Rare complications include: unfavorable scarring, bleeding (hematoma), infection, poor incision healing, body contour irregularities, recurrent looseness of skin, wound separation, pain, deep vein thrombosis, sensation changes that may be temporary or permanent, tissue death (fat necrosis), partial or total nipple loss, or fluid accumulation.

Body contouring results may change with age, pregnancy, weight loss or weight gain. For these reasons, you may require a revisional surgery in the future. In the meantime, body contouring results are immediate following the procedure. Over time, scars from incisions will fade. Dr. Champion's patients have experienced several life changing benefits from body contouring surgery and are happy with the new positive changes they experience on a daily basis.

If you are interested in body contouring procedure, please contact our office today.

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Procedure List

Breast Procedures

• Breast Augmentation & Implant
• Breast Lift
• Gynecomastia
• Breast Implant Removal
• Breast Reduction

Body Procedures

• Body Contouring
• Liposuction
• Tummy Tuck
• Scar Revision
• Thigh Lift
• Brachioplasty
• Neck Lift

Facial Procedures

• Facial Implants
• Ear Surgery
• Eyelid Surgery
• Facelift
• Brow Lift
• Lip Augmentation
• Nose Job Surgery

Non-Surgical Facial Rejuvenation

• Skin Care Products, & Facial Fillers