Weight loss is great for your overall health, both physical and mental. However, significant weight loss often leaves loose skin behind, interfering with daily activities like fitting into clothing, exercising with ease and feeling your best. Board-certified plastic surgeon Kristen Parker Broderick offers some perspective.

What is body contouring after weight loss?

Reaching your goal weight is a major achievement, whether through diet and exercise, weight loss medications or bariatric surgery. But after losing a significant amount of weight or returning to your pre-pregnancy body after giving birth, you may notice some excess skin remains. Body contouring procedures can help fine-tune your new body shape by removing excess skin.

For some, these folds of excess skin may cause problems, such as:

• Discomfort
• Swelling, rash or ulcers between the skin folds in your groin that can lead to an infection.
• Problems with hygiene in these areas, especially the groin
• Difficulty walking
• Trouble urinating
• Problems with sexual activity
• Poor self-esteem

Body Contouring Surgery Types

Body contouring procedures are individualized, so talk to your plastic surgeon about the best options for you. In many cases, some of the procedures can be combined. The plastic surgeon will perform an in-depth analysis of your body and lifestyle before recommending a specific surgical approach.

Body-contouring surgeries include:

• Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck)
• Panniculectomy
• Breast rejuvenation (including breast lift, to restore breast contour and shape)
• Buttock lift
• Circumferential body lift (belt procedure)
• Inner thigh lift

Panniculectomy vs. Tummy Tuck (abdominoplasty): What’s the difference?

A panniculectomy is a procedure that removes extra skin and fat hanging over the groin or thighs after significant weight loss. It is often deemed medically necessary, and may be covered by insurance.

A tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) is a cosmetic surgery that goes beyond a panniculectomy. During this procedure, additional extra skin and fat is removed from the abdomen, abdominal muscles are tightened and the belly button is moved to a new location. Adding a tummy tuck to a panniculectomy procedure is not always covered by insurance.

Am I a good candidate for body contouring?

If you have reached your goal weight and are maintaining it, you may consider body contouring to further enhance your shape. People who benefit the most from body contouring are those who have excess skin in certain areas but minimal excess fat.

While surgery can dramatically improve your overall appearance, every person heals differently. An open discussion with the surgeon about your hopes for the surgery and what you can expect is an important first step.

The surgeon may discuss your existing health conditions, medications you take, alcohol consumption, prior surgeries and whether you smoke. If you smoke, you must quit at least several weeks before your surgery. Smoking greatly increases your risk for complications.

What happens during body contouring surgery?

• A health care professional will give you general anesthesia so you will sleep through the procedure and won’t feel anything.
• The surgeon makes a cut in the area to be contoured — such as your midsection — to remove extra skin and tissue, and then surgically reconnects the skin to make a smooth contour.
• The surgeon will minimize the resulting scar where possible.
• Your total treatment may involve a series of surgeries. The procedures can sometimes be staged with a period of recovery between them if you need more than one area addressed.

Recovery After Body Contouring

For some procedures, your plastic surgeon will recommend an overnight stay, while other procedures are outpatient, meaning you can go home the same day.

After surgery, surgical drains are often required to remove excess fluid or blood that may collect at the surgical site. Your surgeon will explain how to use and care for your drain. They may also recommend that you wear a compression garment for six to eight weeks.

Body Contouring Recovery Time

You will likely be very sore during the first four weeks following the procedure, which will vary by procedure. Your surgeon will use multimodality pain management, which means they use a combination of medications and interventions to control pain and improve your comfort. While initial discomfort may last up to six weeks, a full recovery may take several months. To optimize your results, follow your discharge instructions carefully.

Body Contouring Scars

The extent of your scars will vary depending on your procedure. For example, body contouring surgery will result in bigger scars than liposuction. Your surgeon will discuss with you the best ways to optimize your postsurgical scarring.

Is body contouring safe?

Body contouring is a generally safe procedure, but it comes with risks.

Some complications from this surgery include:

• Blood clots, including clots in the leg veins (deep vein thrombosis, or DVT). These clots can travel to your lungs (pulmonary embolism).
• Problems with wound healing
• Infection
• Heavy bleeding
• Nerve damage
• Problems from anesthesia
• Pain that doesn’t go away

Your risks depend on your age, the amount of weight you lost, your health conditions and the amount of tissue you need removed. Ask your surgeon about the risks that apply to you.