You changed what the scales read - Body Contouring changes what the mirror reflects.

You took control of your body and made big changes with diet and exercise, or with weight loss surgery.  But does the image you see reflect the very best you can be?

Body contouring and sculpting after substantial weight loss reduces extra bulk and sculpts you to dramatically enhance your appearance.  Dr. Wells will consult with you to tailor the procedures that will get the best results for you and integrate the restorative process beautifully.

Body Contouring with Surgery
This surgical option is most appropriate for women and men who have had significant to massive weight loss.  Having lost its innate elasticity and stretched beyond capacity, the skin is unable to conform to the new smaller form, and the tissues sag.  Body Contouring with surgery improves the shape and tone of the tissues affected while excess skin and fat are removed.  This option is most typically used with the abdomen, buttocks, inner thighs, upper arms, breasts, and lower face/neck.

Lower Body Lift
The ultimate cosmetic result can be achieved after tremendous weight loss with the Lower Body Lift.  After large amounts of weight loss, it's common to have an "apron" of hanging skin and fat at the lower abdomen, even if you are at or near ideal weight.  This apron drapes around the sides of the abdomen, and even to the back.

The Lower Body Lift circumferentially removes the sagging skin and fat apron in the abdomen, sides, lower back, and buttocks area, while also lifting and smoothing the outer thighs, buttocks, and the groin/mons area.  (The mons is the pubic hair-bearing area of women – an area that becomes swollen, fatty, and sags with weight gain/loss and can even appear to “bulge” in clothing in women who have lost large amounts of weight.)  Because it so successfully addresses the whole lower body, the Lower Body Lift is considered the gold-standard in Body Contouring.  Good surgical candidates have usually achieved their ideal weight and have been able to maintain this weight for at least 6 months-1 year.  The results from this surgery can be dramatic and truly life-changing.

Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
Some patients who have had massive weight loss may be optimal candidates for a more limited procedure to address the lower body– a tummy tuck.  A Full Tummy Tuck, excision of the excess fat and skin apron of the lower abdomen, is one of the most common cosmetic surgery procedures.  Factors such as substantial weight loss, multiple pregnancies, and/or genetics can contribute to the development of loose skin, fat deposits, and stretch marks in the abdominal region.  In addition, the vertical abdominal muscles (that have stretched and weakened over time after pregnancy and/or weight loss) are tightened, restoring the appearance of a firmer, flatter abdomen and trimmer waistline.  A Tummy Tuck is not a treatment for obesity, or a substitute for proper diet and exercise.  Tummy Tuck candidates should be healthy and relatively fit.

Full Tummy Tuck procedures typically require two incisions – one just above the pubic area that spans from one hip bone to the other and a second around the navel.  The length of the incision and its shape will depend on the extent of treatment as well as the contours of your body.  Typically, this incision is hidden by a bathing suit or undergarments.

Inner Thigh Lift
After massive weight loss, some people have lots of sagging tissue and excess skin in the inner thighs.  In a Thigh Lift, incisions are placed in the crease at the inner upper thighs and the excess inner thigh tissue is removed at the top of the thighs.  The incisions are carefully placed so that they can be hidden even in a bathing suit.

Upper Arm Lift (Brachioplasty)
After massive weight loss, skin on the upper arms can be loose and sagging with almost a bat wing appearance.  This problematic area is addressed by removing the excess skin.  The incision is placed at the inner upper arm, from the underarm area to nearly the elbow. This option is only appropriate for the most affected people with significant excess skin.  The incisions are visible in short-sleeved clothing and bathing suits, but the scar is the trade-off for an improved arm contour.

Breast Lift
Losing large amounts of weight can make the skin of the breasts become thin, inelastic, and stretch-marked.  There is no fullness to the upper portion of the breasts, and the nipples are pointed towards the bottom of the breasts.  The underlying tissues are so stretched, the entire breast appears to sit lower on the chest. Bra size changes, but also the breasts are long and droopy.  Some women say they started as a 42DDD and then became a 36Long after their weight loss. Sometimes, breasts are little more than skin and most of the breast tissue has been lost along with the extra weight.  A Breast Lift will remove the excess sagging skin and re-position the nipples to their correct location.  Also, for the best cosmetic results, Breast Implants restore fullness to the top portion of the breasts and restore cleavage.  Often the two procedures can be accomplished at the same time.  However, sometimes the lift is performed, and then in another procedure, the implants placed because of the damage to the stretched-out skin from the weight gain and loss.

Face/Neck Lift
The lower face and neck are also impacted by massive weight gain and loss – sagging of the lower face (also called jowling) and sagging of the neck with separation and laxity of the neck muscles.  A Face Lift removes excess skin in the lower face and neck, repairs the muscle laxity, and restores a more contoured and vibrantly youthful face and neck with a more defined jaw line.

At Valley Plastic Surgery, we welcome all your questions. It is natural to feel some anxiety, whether excitement for the anticipated outcome or preoperative stress.  Dr. Wells understands the concerns you have and the gamut of emotions experienced.  She welcomes the opportunity to answer your questions fully so you can become a full partner in your own transformation.