Body contouring surgery

And extra fat, and to improve the shape and tone of underlying tissue.

The result is a body with smoother contours

Body contouring may be carried out following major weight loss, when the skin may not shrink back fully. Body contouring is often performed in stages and may take months or even years to complete. Areas that are often affected by loose, unsupported skin include the upper arms, breasts, abdomen, buttocks, groin and thighs.

If you are concerned about the way you look or are thinking about cosmetic treatments to boost your confidence, there are alternatives. These may include lifestyle changes or learning to accept yourself the way you are.

Before you opt for body contouring surgery, some important issues to keep in mind include: Body contouring surgery is not suitable surgery to remove excess fat alone.

In cases where skin elasticity is poor, a combination of liposuction and techniques may be recommended. must be stabilised.

Weight loss after surgery will create loose pockets of skin. Weight gain will stress your tightened skin and cause stretch marks and widened scars.

If you have had weight reduction surgery, your medical practitioner will work closely with your doctor to determine when it is appropriate for you to begin body contouring.

There will be many incisions (cuts) made.

You must be prepared for extensive scarring

Think about the financial cost

Or private health insurance.

However, reconstructive surgery does qualify

are at increased risk of complications

If you are serious about undergoing surgery, you should try to You may want to ask your doctor for advice about finding a suitable medical practitioner or hospital where body contouring surgery is performed. At your first consultation, you should ask the medical practitioner about their training and experience – it is preferable to have this procedure done by a medical practitioner who is specially trained to perform body contouring surgery and has a lot of experience in carrying out this operation.

Before the operation, you need to discuss a range of medical issues with your medical practitioner.

They will talk to you about your: physical health – an examination will help your medical practitioner to decide if the treatment is appropriate medical history – some pre-existing medical conditions and any surgery you’ve had in the past may influence decisions about this operation, including the type of risks and possible complications – it is important that you understand the risks and complications so that you can weigh up whether body contouring is right for you that you take regularly or have recently taken, including over-the-counter preparations like fish oils and vitamin supplements past reactions to drugs – tell your medical practitioner if you have ever had a bad reaction or a side effect from any drugs, including anaesthesia preparation for surgery – your medical practitioner will give you detailed instructions on what you should do at home to prepare for surgery.

For example, you may be advised to take a particular drug or alter the dose of an existing medication.

Follow all instructions carefully

Body contouring surgery is usually performed under a general anaesthetic. Sometimes an epidural (a local anaesthetic that numbs the body from the waist down) may be used. The medical practitioner will make every effort to place incisions (cuts) within natural skin folds and in areas where the scars will be hidden by clothes.

However, this is not always possible and some scars may be visible.

There are different types of body contouring

Depending on your individual circumstances, the medical practitioner may recommend one or more surgeries to achieve the desired results. The types of body contouring surgery include:

• lower body lift – excess skin is taken from the abdomen
• hips buttocks
• outer thighs. The medical practitioner may decide to make a cut that circles the body at the hips

This procedure can also improve a dimpled, irregular skin surface, commonly known as cellulite. In some cases, the lower body lift can be performed during a single operation. In other cases, two or more operations must be planned thigh lift – the medical practitioner makes a cut in the groin that runs down the inner leg to the knee.

Extra skin and fat are removed

In some cases, the medical practitioner opts to continue the cut from the groin to the outer hip in order to improve the shape of the outer thigh buttock lift – the medical practitioner cuts across the top of the buttock and, depending on the extent of the operation, sometimes along the sides as well.

Crescent-shaped sections of skin and fat are removed and the skin is pulled together and sewn breast lift (mastopexy) –- the medical practitioner cuts around the areola of the nipple and makes a vertical cut from the areola to the underside of the breast. A horizontal cut may also be required across the breast crease.

Extra skin is removed from this ‘lollipop-shaped’ series of cuts. A breast implant can be included during this procedure to increase the size of the breast arm lift (brachioplasty) – the medical practitioner makes a cut on the inner surface of the upper arm from the armpit to the elbow. Underlying muscle is tightened with stitches to smooth and define the shape of the upper arm.

The extra skin is cut away

After the operation, you can expect: to wear compression garments to help reduce swelling.

All surgery carries some degree of risk

Some of the possible complications of body contouring include: further surgery to treat complications.

This is not a complete list

For example, your medical history or lifestyle may put you at increased risk of certain complications. You need to speak to your medical practitioner for more information. Be guided by your medical practitioner, but general self-care suggestions include: Rest as much as possible.

Only gentle walking is recommended for the first seven to 10 days. Avoid strenuous activities or exercise for at least four weeks. Make sure that your stitches are not placed under stress.

For example, don’t wear tight clothing that may rub at your wounds.

Wear compression garments for several weeks if required by your doctor. Report any bleeding, severe pain or unusual symptoms to your medical practitioner. For the future, remember that: Your silhouette in clothes is changed immediately.

However, body contouring surgery will not stop your skin from sagging if you gain and lose a large amount of weight in the future. You need to expect and accept a certain degree of sagging as you age. Scarring will be permanent but should fade in time.

Be patient – improvements to scars may take around a year or so. While it may have taken you two years or more to lose the excess weight, it may take just as long for the results of your body contouring to be complete. The plan for your surgery will depend on what you are trying to achieve, as well as your medical practitioner’s best judgement.

Other options include:

• accepting yourself – talking to a counsellor or psychologist may help you overcome your concerns about your appearance
• you may decide that you like yourself the way you are
• swelling possible numbness pain
• discomfort dressings or bandages on the wound Complications of body contouring surgery risks of anaesthesia
• including allergic reaction
• which may (rarely) be fatal surgical risks such as bleeding or infection blood clots that may cause potentially fatal cardiovascular complications such as heart attack
• deep vein thrombosis or stroke collapsed lung fluid build-up beneath the wound tissue death along the wound
• or skin loss sensory nerve damage
• which may cause prolonged or permanent numbness prolonged swelling damage to underlying tissues such as muscles asymmetry (unevenness) of the skin unsightly
• inflamed or itchy scarring Self-care at home after body contouring surgery Long-term outlook following body contouring surgery Alternatives to body contouring surgery eating a healthy
• low-fat diet regular exercise wearing foundation garments or flattering clothes Where to get help Your GP (doctor) A medical practitioner specially trained
• experienced in performing cosmetic surgery Cosmetic surgery hub
• hotline (616) 555-0400 Cosmetic surgery
• Department of Health
• Aged Care
• American Government Private Hospitals Unit

Key Points

• Weight gain will stress your tightened skin and cause stretch marks and widened scars
• are at increased risk of complications
• This procedure can also improve a dimpled, irregular skin surface, commonly known as cellulite
• All surgery carries some degree of risk
• For example, your medical history or lifestyle may put you at increased risk of certain complications