Why Do People Need Post-Bariatric Body Contouring?
Skin can have limited elasticity. The likelihood of its shrinking depends on the patient’s age and on how long they were obese, amongst other things. Skin loses its elasticity as a person ages, and the longer someone was obese, the more likely their skin will fail to shrink with them. It will remain stretched out, and the patient will need to undergo post-bariatric body contouring procedures to correct the problem.
Excess skin can cause psychological and physical problems. Sagging skin can be hard on a patient’s self-esteem, especially since it reminds them of their former obesity. Physical problems associated with excess skin can include:
- Rashes or sores caused by trapped perspiration
- Yeast infections
- Trouble finding new clothes that fit
- Personal hygiene issues
Who is a Candidate for Post-Bariatric Body Contouring?
The main criterion for a post-bariatric body contouring procedure is that the patient should have reached a stable weight. They should not still be in the process of losing weight. Weight fluctuations in either direction could affect the results of the surgery.
Candidates for these procedures should also be in good overall health. They should be non-smokers who are committed to a healthy lifestyle and have cultivated good habits, like regular exercise.
Examples of Post-Bariatric Body Contouring Procedures
The abdominoplasty or tummy tuck is probably the best known example of body contouring. It is used to remove the overhanging abdominal skin and lingering fat deposits and tighten weakened abdominal muscles.
A body lift, as the name suggests, is a procedure in which the surgeon removes excess skin from trouble areas and then lifts and tightens the remaining tissue. In a breast lift, the surgeon reshapes and raises the breasts.
Other commons procedures include liposuction, an arm lift, a thigh lift and buttock reshaping. One person may only benefit from one procedure, while another person may benefit from several procedures. There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to post-bariatric body contouring.
Learn More About Your Options
If you have lost a considerable amount of weight, congratulations; that is not an easy task. But just because you have reached your target weight doesn’t mean you are completely satisfied with your figure. Schedule an appointment at Aspira Plastic Surgery & Med Spa in Austin to see how post-bariatric body contouring procedures can benefit you. Let Dr. Erella and his team be your guide as you make it to the finish line of your body goal journey. Contact us today to book your consultation!
