When you lose 100 pounds or more, what happens to the extra skin? For many, the answer is body-contouring surgery.
As weight loss surgery becomes more popular, weight losses of 100 pounds or more are becoming common. Many people who lose massive amounts of weight are left with sagging skin and stubborn deposits of fat on various parts of their bodies, especially around the midsection.
Body lifts are an extremely effective plastic surgery procedure for patients with excess skin, fat, and other tissues that linger after substantial weight loss.. Depending on the location of the extra skin, patients may choose to undergo either an upper, mid, or lower body lift. There are also arm lifts, thigh lift, tummy tucks and Brazilian Butt lifts. For patients with significant amounts of excess skin throughout the midsection, lower body, and extremities, a combination of these techniques called full or total body lift may be the best. For the actual surgery, Dr. Schreiber will first remove the excess skin from the back and lift the buttocks and outer thighs. He will then essentially perform a tummy tuck to complete the procedure. This involves tightening the abdominal muscles and involves removing as much excess abdominal skin as possible.
Recovery takes about 2 weeks with exercise resuming at 4-6 weeks. Dr. Schreiber also places 2-4 drains underneath the skin to help remove any excess fluid. The drains that Dr. Schreiber uses are painless when they are removed! He also places long-lasting numbing medicine in the abdominal muscles for maximum patient relief that lasts several days.
As is the case with most other plastic surgery procedures, body lift surgery is highly customizable to the unique needs and goals of the individual patient.
The Best Candidates
Body lifts are usually performed on those with large amounts of loose, hanging skin in multiple areas on the trunk and legs. Its goal is to return the body to a more normal appearance after loss of skin elasticity due to extreme weight loss or age-related changes.
What a body lift cannot do is remove significant fat deposits. Your weight should be stabilized at or near your ideal weight before considering a body lift. In cases where there are small local fat deposits but skin elasticity is poor, your surgeon may recommend a combination of liposuction and body lift surgery.
The best candidates for a body lift are non-smokers who are in generally good health and maintain a stable weight through a commitment to a healthy diet and lifestyle. It is also important for the patient to have a positive outlook and realistic expectations about the outcome.
Women considering pregnancy should hold off on having a body lift, as subsequent pregnancy may significantly compromise results in the abdominal area.
If you believe that body lift surgery might be right for you or any type of cosmetic surgery in Baltimore, it is important that you entrust your procedure to a skilled, experienced plastic surgeon with a history or producing outstanding results for patients with similar cases like Dr. Jeffrey Schreiber and give his practice a call to set up a consultation! (410) 902-9800.