Plastic Surgeon Dr. Donald Conway Explains Post-Weight Loss Body Contouring + Answers 5 FAQs
When you experience a dramatic decrease in weight, previously stretched skin will not fully conform to your underlying shape. This results in sagging skin that distracts from the new, slimmer contours of your body. Board certified Asheville plastic surgeon Dr. Donald Conway frequently performs post-weight loss body contouring procedures in Asheville, North Carolina to help patients feel like their weight loss journey is complete. Here, he explains the most helpful post-weight loss body lift procedures and answers some frequently asked questions.
The case for body contouring procedures
These post-weight loss procedures offer far more than just aesthetic benefits. When your body is supporting excess skin, daily activities can be burdensome or even painful. Extra skin can also be difficult to keep clean, resulting in rashes, sores, and infection from trapped perspiration and bacteria.
Exercising may be awkward and uncomfortable due to the extra weight and movement of the loose skin. Your body’s evolving tone and shape will also be obscured by the skin, limiting your ability to see diet and exercise progress that can keep you motivated to keep the weight off.
Finding clothing that you feel good in can also be challenging as most garments are not made to accommodate larger amounts of excess skin. Ill-fitting clothing can displace the skin uncomfortably and increase chafing and irritation. Additionally, weight loss patients may be hesitant to participate in activities that require more revealing clothing like bathing suits or shorts to avoid exposing the skin.
Patients may also experience other, seemingly unrelated medical issues that stem from baggy skin and compromised muscles. For example, low back pain and possible incontinence can occur if the abdominal muscles are weakened and have been stretched to the point of vertical separation.
For all of the above reasons, body lifting plastic surgery can positively impact a patient’s quality of life—boosting confidence, reducing pain, resolving correlated medical issues, and supporting a more active, healthy lifestyle.
Procedures to consider including in your body lift
When post-weight loss patients come to my Asheville plastic surgery practice, we consider a range of skin excision and body lifting procedures. I then tailor the surgical plan to the individual patient’s anatomy with the goal of restoring pleasing overall curves and firm skin throughout the limbs and torso.
While I will describe the most popular options individually here for educational purposes, it’s important to note that I typically recommend a group of the following procedures and multiple options can be combined in one operation.
Tummy tuck
A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty removes excess skin and tightens abdominal muscles, restoring the waistline through this dual action. The aesthetic results are often life-changing! While all skin excision procedures result in scars, I am careful to discuss incision placement preferences with each patient and place scars low enough on the waistline to not be visible in swimwear. Full recovery requires a few months of restricted activity so it’s important to dedicate enough time to heal for optimal results.
Thigh & buttock lift
A thigh and buttock lift procedure removes excess skin and fat around the thighs and buttocks while lifting the underlying tissue to create a more refined and youthful lower body shape. Incisions are placed in natural folds and contours of your body whenever possible to minimize their visibility. You can resume light activity after 3 weeks and see full recovery a few months post-op.
Upper arm lift
A brachioplasty, or upper arm lift, removes loose, hanging skin from the arms. This eliminates the “bat wing” effect that can occur after significant weight loss. Incisions are carefully placed to effectively reshape the appearance of your arm and keep the scar as inconspicuous as possible. Most patients can handle light activity after 4 weeks and are fully recovered around 6 weeks.
Circumferential body lift
This procedure is the most extensive as the incision encompasses your entire torso. Excess skin is removed from the back, flanks, and abdominal areas. This is typically performed on patients with a considerable amount of unwanted skin throughout the back and torso. Full recovery can take anywhere from 6 to 8 weeks, though normal light activity can resume after 2 weeks.
FAQs about body lifts in Asheville, NC
How do I know if I’m ready for a body lift?
If you are physically or emotionally bothered by excess skin and are in good health, you are likely a good candidate for a body lift. Body contouring procedures do remove some fat in the process but are not intended to be a weight loss surgery, so it is important to have already reached and maintained your goal weight for at least six months prior to surgery. This will ensure your post-surgery results are optimal and the integrity of your new shape is preserved.
What is necessary for body lift recovery?
The quality of your outcome will be partly dependent upon you diligently following post-op instructions. It is crucial that you set aside the time required to properly heal. Planning for recovery will help you see ideal results and reduce the chances of complications.
Expect to need help: a spouse, family member, or friend will need to be available to assist you for the first few days. You may need to plan further assistance depending on your level of activity restriction; most patients are instructed not to lift any item heavier than a few pounds for some weeks. If you have small children, childcare will be essential throughout the initial recovery process.
Depending on the procedure plan, drain care may be a part of your recovery. While this may sound unpleasant, they are an important tool: drains help to speed healing and prevent infection. These will likely be removed about 2 weeks after surgery.
Compression garments are also likely to be required during the healing process; they can speed healing and prevent complications. Patients are typically instructed to wear them at all times, unless bathing, for around 6 weeks. I will assess the level of healing at your follow-up appointments and determine when you no longer need compression garments.
How painful is a body lift?
Moderate discomfort is expected but is easily handled with modern pain management medications and methods. Medication will be prescribed to help you comfortably rest and recover at home. Your need for pain medication will decrease rapidly as you heal; my goal is always to use the least amount of intervention while preserving your comfort.
Beyond this immediate (but manageable) post-operative discomfort, you should expect some general soreness for up to three months as your muscles and tissues heal and become accustomed to their new placements.
How do you sleep after a body lift?
For the first few weeks, sleeping on your back at a 45 degree angle, or in a recliner, is best. This angle prevents putting tension on the abdominal and lower back incisions. (Laying flat or sitting upright compromises the incisions and risks tearing the muscles and tissue.) The arms and legs should be elevated in a slightly bent position. Placing two pillows beneath each limb will usually suffice. We will provide more specific instructions based on your surgery recovery needs.
Is a body lift permanent?
Yes, these procedures are not temporary—but there are some caveats when it comes to the longevity of your results. Weight fluctuations can stretch your skin out again, so it’s important to continue following a healthy diet and exercise plan. Additionally, body lift does not stop the aging clock: overall skin laxity will increase over time with or without surgery, so you may see some amount of skin sagging reappear after a decade or more. Still, your body shape will reflect the improved overall contours from your body lifting procedures.
With over 20 years of experience, an artistic eye, and a kind, gentle, demeanor, board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Donald Conway is a superb choice when it comes to body lifting surgery. He performs procedures at The Plastic Surgery Center of Asheville, a private, AAAASF accredited surgical suite that meets hospital standards for safety. To set up your personal consultation with Dr. Conway, fill out our online consultation form or call our Asheville office at (828) 210-9333.
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