Body Contouring After Weight Loss: Getting Started
Two scientific studies conducted recently clearly stated the benefits of body contouring after weight loss. Three years ago, a Swiss publication called Frontiers in Psychology printed research results finding that people who underwent procedures to remove excess skin experienced better appearance evaluation, body satisfaction and physical functioning than weight loss patients who did not. A year before that, another study showed that patients who elected cosmetic surgery after massive weight loss regained significantly less weight than those who underwent gastric bypass without subsequent body contouring.
We can see the proof on the faces of elated men and women who choose body contouring after weight loss in New York with our team. When stretched, saggy skin is finally gone, people truly get their lives back.
We understand the prospect of doing more work on the body after losing weight can seem daunting. How do you get started?
First Things First: A Body Contouring Consultation
We suggest visiting at least two board certified plastic surgeons who have worked with weight loss patients. They should listen carefully to the challenges you face with extra skin and your ultimate goals, then propose a strategy that makes sense. You should understand each proposed procedure, whether any can be combined, the reasoning behind the sequence of multiple procedures, the recovery process, results you can expect and costs. Given that it’s very possible you’ll want more than one procedure, you should feel that you and your plastic surgeon and their staff will work well as a team.
Abdominal Cosmetic Surgery
Post weight loss patients who elect just one cosmetic surgery often choose a tummy tuck. And, our New York body contouring patients who are thinking of more than one procedure usually start with abdominoplasty because it affects the rest of the body, particularly the lower body.
We customize abdominal plastic surgery to each patient’s needs. We can perform what’s called a panniculectomy, meaning simply removing the “apron” of loose skin. Many patients need a full tummy tuck to remove skin, banish stray fat bulges with liposuction and lift the torso. Some benefit most from a circumferential abdominoplasty, or body lift, meaning contouring around the entire mid body.
Breast Surgery After Weight Loss
Both men and women often elect breast surgery after dropping many pounds. Both sexes find that after their breasts enlarged to accommodate excess weight, they just don’t bounce back into place without some help.
Guys usually develop man boobs when they gain weight, and we generally find the tissue left behind after weight loss contains both extra breast gland and fat. We perform male breast reduction for many guys who drop several pounds or more, and we can carefully remove redundant skin if needed.
Women often elect a breast lift to elevate their breasts back into a youthful position on the chest wall. If the breasts have a pronounced “deflated” look, we can insert an appropriate sized breast implant in the same procedure.
Other Post Weight Loss Surgical Options
Other post weight loss options we talk over with some New York body contouring after weight loss patients include thigh lifts, arm lifts and facelifts. Since extra weight gets distributed throughout the body—influenced by genetic patterns—some people choose a final cosmetic procedure or two to complete their rejuvenation goals.
Financing the Plan
Cosmetic surgery after weight loss is a true investment, and we encourage patients to look at it in that light. After working so hard to shed unhealthy weight, for many it doesn’t makes sense to carry around extra skin afterward.
Our staff can work with you on a payment strategy. We can discuss whether there may be a chance of help from your insurance company if health issues (aches and pains, rashes and so on) can be documented. We can share tips from other patients on saving for cosmetic surgery, and we can talk with you about the possibility of financing some of the cost. Many patients come up with a combination strategy for covering the cost of cosmetic surgery, and the staggered nature of multiple procedures can make the process easier.
We thoroughly enjoy working with patients seeking body contouring after weight loss in New York. It is truly a pleasure to help people who have worked so hard to change their health and body image. For many, cosmetic surgery after weight loss puts the finishing touches on a difficult physical and emotional journey, and it’s an honor to be part of this process.
If we can help you, give us a call at 212-570-6080.
