Why a Body Lift After Major Weight Loss Is a Good Idea
Loose skin and pronounced skin folds are common issues people experience after they lose weight. Many people wonder why this happens and what can be done about it.
The team at our Minneapolis plastic surgery center has a solution for these issues: full body lift surgery. Let's take a moment to discuss problems with loose skin and then go over the basics of the body lift.
Why Weight Loss Leads to Loose Skin Folds
When you gain a lot of weight, your skin stretches out to accommodate the additional body mass. After you lose a lot of weight, your skin will shrink a little bit, but only to a certain degree. This is the nature of skin laxity.
Following extreme weight loss, this often means many skin folds, stretchmarks, and lots of excess skin. Even after pregnancy women notice issues with stretchmarks as well as loose skin around the abdominal area. This is natural, but it can pose a number of problems with regard to body image and your ability to wear certain kinds of outfits.
Surgery Is the Only Way to Address These Issues
While exercising and eating right can improve your health and general wellness, neither of these activities can reduce skin folds or help eliminate stretchmarks. The only way these problems can b addressed is through body contouring and skin tightening surgery.
There are many different procedures that may be performed, such as tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), arm lift (brachioplasty), and thigh lift (thighplasty). However, there is a surgery that can address major body contouring issues following extreme weight loss, and that is the total body lift.
About Body Lift Surgery
Body lift surgery refers to a combination of body contouring procedures that help improve the overall figure and appearance of a patient. This means reducing the sagging and stretchmarks around the abdominal area, the chest, the flanks, the hips, the buttocks, and the extremities. All of these parts of the body are targeted to remove the loose skin and enhance a person's overall appearance in the process.
Ideal Candidates for Body Lift Surgery
The best candidates for body lift surgery are people who have lost a great deal of weight, whether through diet and exercise or through bariatric surgery. They should be in good health overall and understand the side effects and risks associated with the procedure. Candidates should also be in good overall health and not suffer from any medical conditions that would make the surgery a potential risk to overall wellness.
How Body Lift Surgery Is Performed
Each body lift surgery is tailored to the needs of the patient. The exact combination of surgeries will vary from patient to patient. Regardless, the procedures will typically involve minor liposuction followed by the removal of excess skin and tissue. Problem areas such as the lower abdomen, the tricep and shoulder area, the thighs, and the buttocks are all commonly treated during the lift.
Time Off From Work After Body Lift Surgery
Since body lift surgery can be rather extensive, it is not uncommon for patients to require three weeks to four weeks off from work. The exact amount of time necessary is usually determined by the amount of surgery performed and the nature of a person's job duties. During the consultation process, a full treatment plan can be created and time off and other concerns can be discussed in greater detail.
Learn More About Advanced Body Contouring Surgery
For more information about body contouring surgery and how it can help you look thin, trim, and better overall, be sure to contact our advanced skin care and cosmetic plastic surgery center today. Our team looks forward to your visit and discussing your aesthetic goals in greater detail.
