Whether it’s been achieved through diet and exercise, bariatric surgery, or weight loss injections (i.e. semaglutide), significant weight loss has a plethora of health benefits, and we congratulate you on your success! However, we understand the burden that excess skin can cause after major weight loss. Skin may be loose or sagging and, in many cases, body contours may be irregular.
Once you have been at a stable weight for 6 months, Dr. Alannah Phelan can perform customized body contouring after weight loss to help you feel more confident and comfortable. Body contouring following major weight loss reduces excess fat and skin that has developed in multiple body areas, giving you a feeling of completeness in the weight loss journey and, often, enhanced confidence.
Am I a good candidate for body contouring?
Before you decide to undergo body contouring surgery, it’s important that you have achieved your stable body weight. Weight fluctuations after surgery can compromise healing from the procedure and alter the results.
In general, good candidates for body contouring are:
- Adults of any age whose weight loss has stabilized for at least 6 months
- Healthy individuals without underlying medical conditions that may affect healing or increase surgery risks
- Non-smokers
- Individuals with positive outlook and realistic goals
Depending on your goals and unique anatomy, a combination of procedures may be necessary to achieve your desired look. Dr. Alannah Phelan will work closely with you to design a post-weight loss body contouring plan that best suits your needs. Potential procedures may include:
Arm Lift
Arm lift (Brachioplasty) is a procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the upper arms before tightening and reshaping the remaining tissue for a more toned look. Extended brachioplasty is also an option, with incisions extended along the sides to remove excess tissue there.
Breast Lift
Breast lift (mastopexy) is a surgery that lifts and reshapes sagging breasts to restore a youthful, perky appearance. This procedure can be customized to achieve your desired look and can be combined with other techniques—outlined below—for enhanced results.
Breast Lift with Implants
Breast lift with implants combines mastopexy with breast augmentation. This option is ideal for patients who wish to restore volume to their breasts while also lifting and reshaping them. Implants can help achieve a fuller, more proportionate breast size.
Breast Lift with Autoaugmentation
Breast lift with autoaugmentation uses your own breast tissue to add volume and shape to the breasts. This technique avoids the use of implants, providing a natural enhancement by repositioning existing tissue to create a lifted, fuller look.
Breast Lift with Fat Grafting
Breast lift with fat grafting involves transferring fat from another part of your body to the breasts. This method not only lifts and reshapes the breasts but also adds subtle, natural-looking volume. The fat is typically harvested from areas such as the abdomen, thighs, or flanks.
Bra-line Back Lift
Bra-line back lift targets the mid to upper back to sculpt a smoother contour. This procedure involves removing excess skin and fat from the back area, creating a more defined and streamlined appearance. The incision is typically made along the bra line, ensuring that any scars are discreetly hidden.
Abdominoplasty
Abdominoplasty, commonly known as a tummy tuck, removes excess skin and fat from the abdominal area while tightening the underlying muscles. An extended abdominoplasty can further refine your waistline by addressing excess tissue around the hips and lower back, providing a comprehensive improvement to your midsection.
Lower Body Lift/Circumferential Tummy Tuck
A lower body lift, or circumferential tummy tuck, is a procedure that addresses excess skin and fat around the entire lower body, including the abdomen, buttocks, hips, and thighs. This surgery is particularly beneficial for patients who have experienced significant weight loss, as it provides a dramatic improvement to the body’s contour.
Thigh Lift
Thigh lift surgery removes excess skin and fat from the inner and/or outer thighs to create a smoother, more toned appearance. This procedure is ideal for patients who have loose, sagging skin on their thighs as a result of weight loss or aging.
Facelift and Neck Lift
Facelift and neck lift procedures address sagging skin, wrinkles, and loss of volume in the face and neck. These surgeries work together to provide a rejuvenated, more youthful appearance.
Fat Transfer to Face
Typically performed in combination with a facelift and/or neck lift, fat transfer is a procedure that involves harvesting fat from one area of your body (such as the abdomen or thighs) and injecting it into the face to restore volume and smooth out wrinkles. This technique provides natural-looking results and can enhance the overall outcome of your facial rejuvenation surgery.
What to expect
Your body contouring procedure(s) will be performed in Boston Plastic Surgery’s Quad A-accredited surgery suite, unless you are undergoing extensive procedures that may require an overnight hospital stay. Although some procedures can be combined at the same setting, performing the procedures in stages generally allows for a safer approach and an easier recovery. General anesthesia is typically required for more extensive procedures.
Dr. Phelan will work with you to select the approach that will help you achieve your goals, with safety as a primary concern, and keeping in mind your schedule requirements and lifestyle. She will then remove, lift, or tighten the problematic skin and tissue, contouring the body to a more pleasing shape.
Aftercare and recovery may vary depending on the necessary procedures. Read our aftercare instructions for body contouring procedures to learn more about your recovery process.
Let’s get started!Call us today at 617-786-7600 to schedule a consultation with Boston plastic surgeon Dr. Alannah Phelan and learn more about your options!
