Guide to Body Contouring After Weight Loss

Why seek a Body Contouring Procedure?

Body contouring after major weight loss improves the shape and tone of the underlying tissue that supports your fat and skin — and removes excess sagging fat and skin. Following weight reduction surgery, or any substantial amount of weight loss, the skin and tissues often lack elasticity and cannot conform to the reduced body size. As a result, skin that has been severely stretched is now unsupported, possibly resulting in:

Upper arms that may sag and appear loose and full
Breasts that may flatten and hang with nipples pointed downward
An abdominal area that may extend around the sides and into the lower back area in an apron-like overhang
Buttocks, groin and thighs can sag and cause hanging pockets of skin

Body contouring results in smoother contours and a more normal appearance to the body. This is, in essence, the final phase of your total weight-loss experience.

Body Lift

Over time, the human body can experience a loss of elasticity in the skin. In addition to age, significant weight loss or weight fluctuations can also cause skin to appear loose or sagging. While exercise can assist in tightening some areas, often times it is not enough. For those people who are struggling with excess skin and sagging trouble spots, there are cosmetic solutions to the problem.

A body lift procedure can help improve both the shape and tone of one’s body. By removing excess skin and fat, one can achieve a more toned, fit body. Thanks to body lift surgery, patients can now fully appreciate all the hard work they have done to lose weight and fight against the effects of Father Time. A body lift procedure may even improve the dimpled, irregular skin patterns associated with cellulite.

Why seek a Body Lift Procedure?

Age and weight loss are not the only factors that can contribute to a loss of elasticity in the skin. Factors such as sun damage, pregnancy, and genetics can also play a part in the condition of one’s body over time. Each person is different, and as such the target areas for a body lift vary. Depending on your body type and your overall aesthetic goals, a body lift may be used to help with:

The abdominal area, from the mid-section extending around the sides, known as love handles.
Sagging buttocks.
Drooping back skin, particularly in the lower back.
A groin that hangs low and may sag into the inner thigh.
All areas of the thigh: inner, outer, or posterior.

Body Lift Procedures

A body lift can help people achieve a toned, more attractive contour to their body. A body lift can also make one’s body appear younger and fitter. Body lifts are not solely about the removal of extra, sagging skin; a body lift can reshape one’s figure to achieve their aesthetic goals for their body.

Body lifts can be done in conjunction with liposuction to address stubborn fatty deposits, as well. Having a body lift and liposuction together can often increase one’s overall satisfaction with the end results. A body lift can also be paired with other body sculpting procedures, such as breast augmentation, breast reduction, or breast lift.

As is the case with any and all cosmetic procedures, having realistic expectations is essential for attaining a satisfying and successful outcome to a body lift procedure.

Thigh Lift

Why seek a Thigh Lift?

A thigh lift procedure is an excellent way to help reshape one’s thighs and achieve a firmer, more attractive upper leg. Thigh lifts can help both men and women who have loose or sagging skin as a result of a variety of reasons. The common reasons for loose, un-toned thighs are:

A lack of elasticity in the skin due to age.
Significant weight fluctuations or weight loss.

By having a thigh lift, or thighplasty procedure, a person can redefine the way their legs look. They can get back to having the toned, shapely legs they once had, or always dreamed of having. There are many options available for a thigh lift surgery, each targeting a specific area, to help patients achieve their body’s aesthetic goals.

Inner Thigh Lift

The inner thigh lift targets exactly the area that it indicates: the entire inner thigh. This thigh surgery helps with the removal excess skin that has resulted from weight loss or age. By placing the incisions on the inner most part of the thigh (between the thigh and pubic area), the potential scarring is practically invisible to anyone who isn’t looking for it. An inner thigh lift can improve the contour of a patient’s leg, leaving them with attractive, younger looking thighs.

Medial Thigh Lift

During a medial thigh lift, incisions are placed in the groin area and extend back to the buttocks. A medial thigh lift is used to remove excess skin from the upper most part of the inner thigh. The excess skin is removed and the remaining skin is lifted to improve the overall appearance of the thigh. This is the most commonly used thigh lift approach for people who have experienced a significant weight loss.

Bilateral Thigh Lift

A bilateral thigh lift targets the skin on the front and outside of the thigh. In this case, incisions are made at the lower edge of a bikini bottom, where the underwear would sit. This makes the scars invisible to anyone but the most intimate of partners. In the bilateral thigh lift, the right and left sides of the thighs are tightened, leaving a toned, attractive looking thigh.

An added benefit for those who have experienced significant weight loss is that the removal of this excess skin can also improve uncomfortable friction, which is a result of the additional hanging skin. Removing this skin can make physical activities such as jogging and running possible and comfortable again.

If you are one of the many people who have experienced a loss of elasticity in the skin due to weight loss or age, and exercise is not helping, then a thigh lift might be the answer to achieving those firmer, more youthful looking thighs.

Next Steps

If you are considering a cosmetic procedure, our team is here to help. Call us at (212) 305-3103 or request an appointment online.