Losing weight can be great for a person’s health and self-confidence. But the excess skin left over after a person loses a large amount of weight? That part isn’t so great. And although some people might be distressed about the way it looks, it’s not merely about vanity. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, excess skin can rub and become irritated, lead to infections, and can even make it difficult for a person to find clothing that fits right.
That’s where body contouring comes in. Because the skin and tissue lose some of their elasticity, getting rid of this excess skin after losing 100 pounds or more can be nearly impossible through diet and exercise alone.
Instead, body contouring can smooth out the shape of a person’s post-weight-loss body, whether a patient wants to remove excess skin from their abdomen, buttocks, back, breasts, or even face and neck. As Johns Hopkins Medicine explains, body contouring is an umbrella term covering a variety of procedures that can treat one or more of these problem areas. Common body contouring surgeries include:
Abdominoplasty (commonly called a tummy tuck), in which excess skin is removed from the stomach area and the muscles are tightened to create a flatter appearance.
Liposuction in which stubborn fat that doesn’t respond to diet and exercise is removed via suction. Liposuction can be performed on places all over the body, and while it is not meant to be a replacement option for a healthy lifestyle, it can improve the body’s shape.
Mastopexy (commonly called a breast lift), in which excess skin is removed and tissue is tightened in order to raise and firm up the breasts.
Other body contouring procedures include lifts to fix sagging skin in the arms, thigh, face, or lower body.
Although results are often promising, it’s important to note that body contouring comes with risks and some unappealing side effects. Patients who undergo body contouring could suffer from bleeding and infection, per the American Society of Plastic Surgery. Patients should also be prepared for two weeks of downtime while they recover at home, and they likely will have scarring afterward.
Finally, it’s important to remember that body contouring isn’t a magic cure for excess weight—it’s intended for those who have already lost weight through diet and exercise, and who are committed to keeping the weight off in years to come.
