Achieving significant weight loss is a major accomplishment, but many people are left with loose skin afterwards. After losing weight, excess skin can remain, changing your body’s shape and causing chafing and discomfort. This is where post-weight loss body contouring comes in, which removes excess skin and tightens the tissue that remains.
At Lux Plastic Surgery, Professor Sandip Hindocha carries out post-weight loss body contouring in Bedford. Excess skin after major weight loss can cause rashes, chafing and difficulty with clothing and exercise, as well as changing how your body looks. Surgery is planned around your skin, your general health and the areas that bother you most, and it is often done in stages.
What is Post Weight Loss Body Contouring?
Post weight loss body contouring is one or more surgical procedures to remove excess skin and fat left behind after substantial weight loss. Areas commonly treated include the abdomen, thighs, arms, buttocks, and back. The procedure removes excess skin and reshapes and tightens the remaining tissue to give a smoother contour.
While post weight loss body contouring addresses the removal of excess skin, it can also improve the overall proportion of the body.
Service Details
Expected Surgery Time
Confirmed at consultation
Done Under
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Hospitalisation
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Supporting Garment
Confirmed at consultation
Next Follow-up
Confirmed at consultation
Benefits of Post Weight Loss Body Contouring
Opting for post weight loss body contouring offers numerous benefits, including:
Enhanced Body Contours
Removes loose, sagging skin and tightens the remaining tissue, which can give the treated areas a smoother shape.
Confidence
Many patients say they feel more comfortable in their body once the excess skin is gone. How you will feel is not something surgery can promise.
Improved Comfort
Eliminating excess skin can reduce discomfort caused by friction, chafing, and irritation, especially in the underarm or thigh areas.
Long-Lasting Results
Skin that is removed does not grow back, so the change to your contour is intended to last. It cannot be guaranteed: further weight change, pregnancy and ageing all affect the result.
Increased Mobility
Removing loose skin can improve movement and make physical activities more comfortable.
What to Expect During the Procedure
Post weight loss body contouring typically involves the following steps:
1. Consultation
It starts with a thorough consultation where we discuss your goals, concerns, and expectations. Professor Hindocha will examine you, discuss which areas could be treated, and explain the procedures in detail.
2. Anaesthesia
Depending on the areas treated and your preferences, the procedure may be done under local anaesthesia with sedation or general anaesthesia.
3. Surgical Techniques
The surgeon will perform the necessary procedure, which could include a tummy tuck, arm lift, thigh lift, or body lift. Incisions are made to remove excess skin, and the remaining tissue is tightened.
4. Post-Procedure Care
After the procedure, compression garments will be provided to help reduce swelling and support the healing process.
The procedure is customised to fit your needs, and the number of areas treated will influence the duration of the surgery.
Recovery and Healing Stages
Recovery after post weight loss body contouring can vary depending on the extent of the procedure and the number of areas treated. Here’s what you can expect during the recovery process:
1. Immediate Recovery (0-7 Days)
You will experience some swelling, bruising, and discomfort, which can be managed with prescribed medication. You will need to wear compression garments to help reduce swelling and support the treated areas.
2. Short-Term Recovery (1-3 Weeks)
Swelling and bruising will gradually decrease, and you can return to light activities. Avoid strenuous exercises for at least 4-6 weeks.
3. Full Recovery (1-3 Months)
Full recovery generally takes 1-3 months, during which time swelling will completely subside. Scars continue to fade and settle for many months after that.
Following the aftercare instructions helps reduce the risk of complications. Like any operation, body contouring carries risks, including bleeding, infection, problems with wound healing, fluid collecting under the skin, blood clots and scarring. Professor Hindocha will go through the risks that apply to you before you decide.
Who is Suitable for Post Weight Loss Body Contouring?
Ideal candidates for post weight loss body contouring include individuals who:
– Have lost a significant amount of weight and are left with excess, sagging skin.
– Are in good overall health, with no medical conditions that would interfere with the procedure or recovery.
– Have realistic expectations about the outcomes of the surgery and understand that post weight loss body contouring is aimed at improving body shape, not achieving weight loss.
– Are committed to maintaining a healthy lifestyle with proper diet and exercise to preserve the results.
If you have reached or are close to your target weight and are struggling with excess skin, it may be worth a consultation to discuss post weight loss body contouring.
Why Choose Lux Plastic Surgery for Post Weight Loss Body Contouring?
Professor Sandip Hindocha is a consultant plastic surgeon, GMC 6122218, and he consults in Bedford. Your treatment plan is based on his examination, the areas that concern you and your general health.
Whether you are considering procedures such as Arm Lift Surgery, Thigh Lift in Bedford, or Tummy Tuck Abdominoplasty in Bedford, the aim is to remove excess skin and improve the shape of the treated areas, not to change your weight.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How long will the results of post weight loss body contouring last?
The skin removed during surgery does not return, so the improvement to your shape is intended to last, but it cannot be guaranteed. Significant weight change, pregnancy and ageing will all affect the result, and the skin that remains continues to lose elasticity over time. Professor Hindocha will explain what is realistic for your skin quality and the amount of weight you have lost.
2. How much weight will I lose after the procedure
Post weight loss body contouring is not a weight loss procedure. It is designed to remove excess skin and improve body shape. It can improve your shape after weight loss, but it is not a way to remove fat or lose weight.
3. Will I have scars after surgery?
Yes. Scarring is unavoidable, and after body contouring the scars can be long, depending on how much skin is removed. At Lux Plastic Surgery, incisions are placed where clothing usually covers them, where possible. Scars typically fade over time but do not disappear.
4. How long is the recovery after post weight loss body contouring?
Most patients can perform light activities within 1-2 weeks. Full recovery typically takes 6-8 weeks, with final results visible after a few months.
5. Is post weight loss body contouring covered by insurance?
If the procedure is medically necessary due to physical discomfort caused by excess skin, some insurance policies may cover part of the cost. However, if it is purely cosmetic, insurance may not cover it.
Considering Post Weight Loss Body Contouring?
Your consultation is with Professor Sandip Hindocha, a GMC-registered consultant plastic surgeon. He will examine you, talk through whether this procedure is appropriate for you, and explain the risks and the likely recovery before you decide anything.
Clinics in Bedford, London, Manchester, Cheshire and Newton-le-Willows.