Body Contouring After Weight Loss

If you have lost a great deal of weight, then first of all – congratulations! For many people, weight loss can be extremely challenging and requires a great deal of commitment and willpower. While you are undoubtedly delighted to be a slimmer, healthier version of yourself, you may have been left with one stubborn problem – excess skin.

​​​​​​​Excess skin after weight loss

Our skin is a living organ, and it adapts to our weight by stretching. The larger we get, the more our skin expands to cover our body. Unfortunately, our skin has limited ability to shrink when we do, and when we lose weight rapidly, this problem is exacerbated. Although some people are more susceptible to excess skin than other, when a person loses a large amount of weight in a short space of time, they are almost certainly left with some.

In theory, losing weight should fill you with confidence and boost your self-esteem. However, when a person is left with a great deal of loose skin, the opposite can happen. Some people find that they are embarrassed, self-conscious and even ashamed of their new appearance. It can also cause them health problems, such as chafing, skin irritations and even infections, as the folds of skin trap heat and bacteria between them. Ultimately, excess skin can have the ability to be just as psychologically detrimental to the patient as the additional weight that they were initially carrying.

What is body contouring and how can it improve my appearance after weight loss?

Body contouring is the term given to a group of different procedures that can address sagging skin across the body. Some of the most popular body contouring surgeries chosen by patients after weight loss include:

Facelift

Many patients find that they lose some of the volume in their face after they have lost weight. This can cause hollow cheeks, fine lines and wrinkles, sagging jowls and sagging of the skin on the neck. Facelift surgery tightens the skin across the face, eliminating many of these problems and giving the patient a revitalized and younger-looking appearance.

Breast lift

Ladies who have lost a great deal of weight will almost certainly find that the volume of their breasts is reduced. This can cause them to sag, affecting their confidence and self-esteem. They may also experience skin problems under the breasts. Breast lift surgery can reposition the breasts on the chest, so that they sit higher, and appear fuller and perkier.

Tummy tuck

Many of us carry a large proportion of our additional weight around our midsection, meaning that when we lose those extra pounds, the majority of excess skin can be found on the stomach. Again, infections in the folds of skin are common and can require ongoing medical treatment. However, a tummy tuck can remove the apron of excess skin that hangs over the abdomen, creating a more streamlined appearance.

Arm lift

Another area commonly affected by sagging skin is the underside of the upper arms. The skin here is often much thinner and more delicate as it is less exposed to sunlight and other environmental elements, which makes it more likely to be stretched beyond the point of return. An upper arm lift removes excess skin from this area, and gives the patient much more toned and youthful-looking upper arms.

If you have lost a large amount of weight and are suffering the effects of excess skin, or if you are planning on losing weight and would like to know what your options are for dealing with any loose skin you are left with, our team would be delighted to assist you. Contact us to make a consultation appointment today.