It takes hard work to lose weight. Changing to a healthier lifestyle can be challenging and you need perseverance, especially when losing a large amount weight. Finally you reach your target goal and feel overjoyed. Only one thing, you may be left with excessive sagging folds of skin which may put a dampener on your achievement. Trying to hide the skin does not work, so removing it becomes an option.
Specialist plastic surgery can help to remove or tighten excess skin and reshape affected parts of your body. Body contouring and its role in post weight loss transformations is usually the final step to achieving your weight loss goal.
What is the importance of addressing excess skin and contouring after significant weight loss? Excess or sagging skin in different parts of your body can cause self-image problems as well as pain, rashes and skin infections, as well as difficulty in getting your clothes to fit comfortably.
If you are looking for post weight loss surgery Sydney, Dr Steve Merten at Pure Aesthetics is a qualified, experienced specialist plastic surgeon.
How to Select a Qualified and Experienced Cosmetic Surgeon
Many doctors claiming to be experts in cosmetic surgeon. You need to consider that not all surgeons are equal. Most so called “cosmetic surgeons” do not have training in plastic surgery. Only doctors with years of extra specialty training earn the right to call themselves specialist plastic surgeons. This makes it difficult to know how to select a qualified surgeon. You want the best as you have to live with the results for the rest of your life.
Here are some things to consider during the initial consultation:
- Are they qualified and experienced to perform the surgery they are recommending for you?
- Are they certified by The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons as Specialist Plastic Surgeons?
- Has the surgeon listened to your goals for the surgery?
- Has the procedure been explained in detail?
- Did the surgeon willingly show you before and after photos of previous surgeries?
- Are they rushing the consultation and offering a discount if you make a quick decision?
- Have they discussed the potential risks and complications?
- Do you feel relaxed and confident in the surgeon or do you feel rushed?
It is important to take the time you need to decide whether this surgery is right for you. Also think about whether the surgeon answered all your questions. If the answer is no, do not hesitate to seek a second opinion.
To help make a decision, ask yourself:
- Do I have confidence in the surgeon’s experience?
- Do I feel at ease with the surgeon’s support staff?
- Do I feel happy about where the surgery will take place?
- Am I choosing the surgeon based on price or experience?
Types of Body Contouring Procedures
There are a range of body contouring procedures. It all depends on what parts of your body has you excess skin. Surgery is tailored to suit the individual.
Body contouring surgery can include:
- When you lose a lot of weight, your breasts can lose volume. A mastopexy, or a breast lift, can restore the volume using fat grafting from other areas of your body. You can also choose to augment your breasts with implants at the same time.
- An abdominoplasty, better known as a tummy tuck, removes the excess fatty tissue and skin and tightens the muscles for a firmer, smoother lower abdomen. Your surgeon will make an incision just above the pubic area to complete the procedure. A complete tummy tuck involves repositioning your belly button but if you only have a mini tummy tuck, the belly button does not require moving.
- A thighplasty, or thigh lift, reshapes, tightens and contours your outer and inner thighs by removing any excess fat and skin. If you have a lateral thigh lift, your surgeon removes fat and skin from the outer thigh. In a vertical medial thigh lift, your surgeon removes excess skin from the whole of the inner thigh.
- Belt lipectomy.A belt lipectomy, or body lift, may be suitable if you have excess skin around your buttocks, abdomen, outer thighs and hips. Your surgeon removes the skin and tightens the remaining skin for a more contoured appearance.
- A brachioplasty is also known as an upper arm lift. During the procedure, your surgeon removes excess sagging skin from under your upper arm. This may also involve liposuction to improve the shape. The remaining skin is reshaped and tightened to give your upper arms a new contour.
- Liposuction is the process of removing fatty tissue using a hollow tube. The surgeon makes a small incision to insert it under the skin. It can remove excess fat from around the neck, arms, hips, ankles, abdomen, chin, knees, thighs, breasts and calves.
To start the body contouring process, make an appointment for an initial consultation.
Consultation Process
When you attend your initial consultation, take any relevant documentation. This can include your health insurance and Medicare details, and any relevant ultrasounds or x-rays.
During your consultation, your surgeon will discuss your expectations and what you want to achieve from body contouring. They will also answer all your questions and give you information about the potential risks of surgery.
The surgeon then creates an individual surgical plan and you will receive an in depth quote that includes the fees for the hospital, anaesthetist and surgeon. You will also receive information about the procedure/s to take home.
Discuss the surgery with your family and trusted friends and return for a second consultation. You will most likely have more questions and this will help you to make a fully informed decision.
For more information about body contouring, schedule a consultation with one of our experienced specialist plastic surgeons.
