Post-Bariatric Body Contouring
Consultations offered at our three convenient locations in Toledo OH, Oregon OH and Taylor MI
Weight loss is a $72 billion industry. Diet and exercise are essential to your continued health and happiness, but sometimes you need some help unveiling the slimmer, trimmer you. That’s where bariatric surgery comes in.
Gastric bypass, duodenal switch, biliopancreatic diversion, and gastric band procedures have proven wonderfully effective in aiding weight loss. These bariatric surgeries limit food intake, thus reducing the caloric levels that contribute to obesity. When a person eats less, their fat cells decrease in size, as do their shape and size.
But bariatric surgery does nothing to address one lingering issue: excess skin. To accommodate large quantities of fat, the skin may stretch and loosen. Once that fat is diminished, the skin that once cradled your larger body now sags lifelessly. If you are unhappy with the laxity and look of your skin after weight loss, then we can help.
With convenient locations in Toledo, Ohio, Oregon, Ohio, and the city of Taylor, Michigan, we offer comprehensive cosmetic care. You have lost the weight, now get a body contouring procedure to reflect your newfound splendor. Contact us and let’s discuss your aesthetic goals.
Contents
About Post-Bariatric Contouring
Obesity is a serious issue in the United States. Estimates indicate that one in five Americans are obese. One quarter of this group, or a full 5% of the nation as a whole, may be classified as morbidly obese.[1] For the sake of clarity, “morbidly obese” is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) over 40. Individuals who have a BMI over 35 and accompanying health issues like diabetes or high blood pressure may also qualify as morbidly obese.
In addition to the undue strain that obesity puts on the internal functions of the human body, it also stresses the exterior. Skin adapts to protect the tissue it covers, even as that tissue grows beyond healthy proportions. But after stretching as a result of weight gain, the skin may have a difficult time “bouncing back” when that weight is shed.
Considerable weight loss yields loose, excess skin.
If you are experiencing these issues, consider a consultation with our experienced doctors. Our body contouring methods can lift and tighten your physique by employing one or more of the following disciplines:
Before and After Photos
Tummy Tuck
If you are unhappy with the laxity and looseness of your new belly, an abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, might be the perfect solution. The doctor begins by identifying the excess skin you want addressed. They will make strategic incisions to shape and contour the abdominal region. After removing unwanted loose skin, the doctor will suture the area closed, revealing a tighter, trimmer midsection.
Fleur-De-Lis Abdominoplasty
If the abdominal skin left behind by recent weight loss is considerable, it may call for a fleur-de-lis (FDL) tummy tuck. This technique artfully selects how the skin is contoured, beginning with its unique incision pattern. The doctor will skillfully trace two lines to each hip bone and extend another up to the sternum. This pattern resembles a fleur-de-lis, hence the name. After removing any unwanted fat and skin, the doctor carefully sutures the incisions closed, creating a tight, beautiful silhouette.
Arm Lift
Sudden fluctuations in weight can result in sagging, slack upper-body silhouettes. To add definition and tone to your torso following bariatric surgery, an arm lift may be the right choice, hands down. The doctor begins by making an incision along the underarm region to conceal its visibility. He then carefully contours the region, removing unwanted bulk and excess skin. Our doctors are expert aestheticians with an eye for symmetry. They make surgical alterations with mobility and comfort in mind.
Medial Thigh Lift
After bariatric surgery, the stomach takes in less food. This results in an overall decrease in caloric input, thus shrinking fat cells throughout the body. As the pounds melt away, the skin above may sag and loosen. The thighs are a telltale barometer of this dynamic. To address lax, excess skin along the upper legs, we may recommend a thigh lift. He will make an incision along the hidden contours of your groin or inner thigh before tightening and trimming the skin accordingly.
Liposuction
Let’s face it: just because you lost weight, that doesn’t mean you lost it in the “right places.” You may have dropped some pounds after bariatric surgery, but you might have retained unsightly bulges on your flanks, thighs, or buttocks. If excess fat persists on your “problem areas,” then the doctor can remove unwanted fat cells through liposuction. The doctor begins by making a gentle incision, through which he inserts a thin tube called a cannula. This cannula delivers tumescent liquid to numb the area and constrict blood vessels. The fluid softens unwanted fat so that the doctor can vacuum it out through the cannula. After he contours the target region, the doctor sutures all incisions closed carefully and precisely.
Liposuction can be included in a comprehensive mid-body lift procedure to address your post weight loss issues. Regardless of the extent and specificity of your body contouring needs, our staff can design the right suite of transformative treatments for you.
Benefits of Body Contouring
Improvement is a life-long endeavor. Losing weight is just the first step in your journey towards a stunning new look. To make sure your skin highlights the changes your body has undergone, consider a post-bariatric contouring strategy. Benefits include:
- Taut skin
- Toned features
- Comfort and ease of movement
- Increased confidence
Candidates for Contouring in Ohio and Michigan
Ideal candidates for post-bariatric contouring are individuals who have a stable BMI of 35 or less. They must maintain a healthy diet to receive the adequate nutrition to aid in the healing of surgical excisions. The most common complaint amongst massive weight loss patients is truncal deformity. The best procedure to address this phenomenon is a lower body lift.[2] If you desire aesthetic attention to shape and slim your proportions, then you should consider a visit to our office.
Other viable candidates for strategic body contouring include those who have lost weight through bariatric alternatives. If you want a non-surgical option to help you reverse the trajectory of obesity, then you should consider obalon weight loss. This breakthrough procedure introduces a balloon capsule into the stomach to help it feel full. By reducing the space in one’s stomach, we effectively curb their appetite. Obalon weight loss works along the same lines as bariatric procedures, but requires no surgical intervention. Instead, you are simply asked to swallow a capsule the size of a multivitamin. This capsule is then inflated via a catheter until it comfortably fits in your stomach cavity. After six months, the doctor will gently deflate and remove the balloon, leaving only a sleek new you!
Personal Consultation
Now that you have lost that bothersome weight, it’s time to celebrate! Stop by for a visit to one of our three locations in Michigan and Ohio and brag about your accomplishments. As part of your victory lap, let us know how we can help cinch and slim your profile.
To get a glimpse of our approach to aesthetics and wellness, please check out our blog. Skin tightening is just one of the many ways we can unleash your body’s full potential. Let’s start a conversation and end your dissatisfaction with any lingering post weight loss issues.
Preparation for Extensive Contouring
Body contouring may involve several different approaches. To prepare for whichever procedures the doctor recommends, please follow his directions closely. You should arrange for rides to and from our clinic on the date of your surgery. Please quit smoking at least two months prior to your body contouring procedure.
Expect to take time off of work to recover from your body contouring procedure.
Before surgery, the doctor will provide you with whatever prescriptions you may need. Please fill these ahead of time. By planning ahead, you can pave the way to a cosmetic enhancement free of complications!
The Body Contouring Procedure
The exact parameters of your procedure will depend on the nature of your post-bariatric transformation. Someone with sagging belly rolls will require different treatment than those with excess underarm flab, for example.
You will discuss every facet of your impending procedure during the consultation period.
Regardless of which area we are contouring, our team will put you at ease. You will receive the appropriate anesthesia to ensure comfort throughout your procedure. All incisions will be carefully placed to minimize their visibility and maximize your natural attractiveness.
Recovery for Body Contouring
Immediately following your procedure, a caring professional will monitor your progress. When you return home to focus on your recovery, please avoid strenuous activity for at least two weeks. Every procedure varies.
Your recovery time may take longer than others if you require extensive skin excision and tissue contouring.
As the swelling from your surgery subsides, your striking new physique will emerge. It may take up to three months for the full effects of your body contouring procedure to manifest themselves, but you are worth the wait!
Amazing Results
The astounding results of your body contouring will raise your perspective and lift your spirits. But these superficial changes are just the beginning. One recent study followed up with several recipients of post-bariatric aesthetic enhancements. They overwhelmingly reported improved quality of life and positive body image after their respective body contouring procedures. Three months after surgery, the subjects indicated happiness with their silhouettes. Even six months after their procedures, this group maintained stable moods and sustained results.[3] To read local reports of supreme satisfaction, check out our rave reviews!
FAQ
What happens to your skin after bariatric surgery?
During weight loss, fat cells shrink. When you shed a significant number of pounds, your skin may not retract along with its adjoining tissue. If you have recently lost weight due to bariatric surgery or the obalon method, let us address your skin needs.
What does body contouring cost in Ohio?
Every procedure is as unique as each patient. Our experts can assess your contouring needs, deliver amazing results, and respect your budgetary concerns throughout the process.
Where can I find body contouring services in Michigan?
Visitors and residents of Taylor, Michigan should consider a consultation. After you lose weight, you want your figure to reflect the trim, toned look you have rightfully achieved. We can transform your sagging skin into a stunning silhouette!
References
- Strauch, B., Herman, C., Rohde, C., Baum, T. (2006). Mid-Body Contouring in the Post–Bariatric Surgery Patient. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery: 117(7)2200-2211. doi: 10.1097/01.prs.0000218185.10795.aa
- Colwell, A.S. (2010). Current Concepts in Post-bariatric Body Contouring. OBESITY SURGERY. 20, 1178–1182. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-010-0120-4
- Song, A., Rubin, J., Thomas, V., Dudas, J., Marra, K., Fernstrom, M. (2006) Body Image and Quality of Life in Post Massive Weight Loss Body Contouring Patients. Obesity: A Research Journal. 14(9)1626-1636. https://doi.org/10.1038/oby.2006.187
