Body Contouring After Massive Weight Loss

Offered at our convenient location in Hamburg

Weight Loss klosterstern

Body contouring after massive weight loss is any surgical method designed for patients who have recently undergone a significant loss of weight. Loose skin may dangle from the upper arms, chest, stomach, upper thighs, and buttocks. These rolls of skin can rub against each other and cause irritation and hygienic difficulties. It can also make exercising a challenging ordeal. 

Body contouring surgery can reshape, tighten and rejuvenate almost any area of the body, creating a newer, sleeker contour. Typical areas addressed include the thighs, knees, upper arms, neck, breasts, buttocks, abdomen, and hips. Frequently liposuction is needed to complement the contour reshaping. For some individuals, multiple staged surgeries may be needed in order to achieve the desired results. 

A loss of 50kg or more is considered massive weight loss, and ideally, the body weight should be stable for a period of six months prior to considering body lifting procedures.

Body contouring after massive weight loss aims to restore a sense of normalcy in the patient. By contouring the body to the patient’s ideal proportions, patients can finally bring about their weight loss surgery’s success. Studies have indicated that post-bariatric body contouring has sustained quality-of-life improvements for patients.[1] Bariatric surgery does not increase risks for complications in future body contouring procedures.[2] 

Located in the heart of Hamburg City, Dr. Dalia Tobbia’s practice will enhance your natural beauty through bespoke surgical procedures tailored to your individual needs to the highest medical standards.

Dr. Dalia Tobbia is a specialist in plastic, aesthetic and reconstructive surgery with sub-specialties in body conturing, breast surgery, microsurgery, super microsurgery, and lymph surgery. What differentiates Dr. Dalia Tobbia from other surgeons is her attention to detail, as well as her sense of harmony and appreciation for natural beauty. Dr. Dalia Tobbia is a lover of fine arts and received her bachelor’s degree in art from Trinity College Dublin. During her off time, she enjoys painting as a hobby.

Click here to schedule your consultation with Dr. Dalia Tobbia, or call now at +49 (0) 40 46 091076

About

Liposuction germany

Weight loss after bariatric surgery reduces the medical risks of obesity, but psychosocial and functional problems often remain due to the residual sagging skin.[3] Bariatric surgery can leave many undesirable side effects like loose, hanging skin throughout the body. Because obesity pushes the skin to the limit, it loses its elasticity. The newly slimmed patient has to confront layers of excess skin, including an unsightly apron of skin draping from the stomach that can also cover the groin area.

Most Affected Areas of Bariatric Surgery

  • Upper arms
    • Can appear loose and full, yet saggy.
  • Breasts
    • Can flatten with the nipples hanging downward
  • Abdomen
    • Can extend around the sides and lower back area
  • Buttocks
  • Groin
  • Thighs

Benefits of Body Contouring After Massive Weight Loss

Benefits of Body Contouring After Massive Weight Loss

  • Smoother, more proportioned contours
  • Increased self-confidence
  • Instantly noticeable results
  • Easier to clean
  • Decreased irritation
  • It gives a proper ending to a patient’s weight loss journey

Candidates

The ideal candidate for body contouring after massive weight loss is any healthy adult at a stable weight who struggles with excess droopy skin resulting from previous weight-loss procedures. Candidates will usually have lost over 45 kgs from prior operations. 

Personal Consultation

Before you consider undergoing any surgical procedure, a physical examination and consultation will take place with our surgical expert. A detailed analysis of the body is performed to assess the severity of hanging tissues and skin folds that hinder daily activities. Important issues to consider in patients following massive weight loss include BMI at presentation, the pattern of fat loss, the quality of remaining skin, recurrent infections in the skin folds, nutritional status, and pre-existing medical conditions such as diabetes, which can affect the treatment plan.

The natural fat distribution pattern also differs among patients; females tend to deposit fat in the thighs and lower abdomen. In contrast, males tend to deposit fat in the flanks and inside the tummy. A surgical plan is therefore tailored according to the needs of each individual. Photographs are taken, and diagrams are used to explain the procedure in a step-by-step manner, including limitations and possible risks. The main goal is to provide you with realistic expectations. Surgery is aimed at trimming away and tightening loose and sagging skin, removing excess fat, and lifting areas that have been impacted by massive weight loss.

Surgical Methods

All contouring procedures are performed under general anesthesia. 

Upper Body Lift

The upper body is often significantly altered by massive weight loss leaving many patients uncomfortable with their appearance. The excess skin and stretched connective tissues usually result in droopy breasts and hanging skin folds in the upper arms and the chest wall. An upper body lift can address all of these issues in a single procedure, helping patients to achieve a better body shape.

Belt Lipectomy

This is a good option to treat the loose skin excess in the entire midsection of the body and around the waist. However, due to the large volume of tissue that is dealt with, this procedure is surgically demanding, and therefore patients need to be in good physical health to be eligible for surgery. A circumferential wedge of hanging skin from the entire lower trunk can be removed to create a waist-line, flatten the belly, lift the buttocks and thighs all at once, resulting in very dramatic contouring of the lower trunk with this procedure. Any existing hanging skin around the pubic region can also be addressed at the same time.

Lower Body Lift

Loose skin excess around the inside thigh and buttock areas is especially common in females after massive weight loss. Severe stretch marks and loss of skin tone are also very common in the thigh and buttock region. A lower body lift can remove the skin excess and produces considerable improvement in skin tightness to the thighs and lower trunk, restoring youthful contours and resulting in a better definition of the legs.

Recovery

Usually, drains are placed as needed to remove the excess fluid for a period of 2-5 days. The wounds are covered with non-stick dressings, and wearing compression garments is advised to provide support. Most sutures used are absorbable and do not require removal. Mobilization after the surgery is possible and even encouraged. However, patients should avoid strenuous physical activities and heavy lifting for several weeks. Patients are usually able to return to work within two to three weeks, depending on the areas addressed.

Results

Studies have shown that the results and outcomes of bariatric surgery can be improved with body contouring procedures, especially with regard to better patient self-image, self-confidence, and satisfaction.[4] Patients who underwent body contouring procedures after bariatric surgery had significantly better long-term weight loss than a matched cohort of patients.[5] 

FAQ

What is body contouring after massive weight loss?

Body contouring after massive weight loss is any surgical method designed for patients who have recently undergone significant drops in weight. Body contouring surgery can reshape, tighten and rejuvenate almost any area of the body, creating a newer, sleeker contour. Typical areas addressed include the thighs, knees, upper arms, neck, breasts, buttocks, abdomen, and hips.

Body contouring after massive weight loss is any surgical method designed for patients who have recently undergone significant drops in weight. Body contouring surgery can reshape, tighten and rejuvenate almost any area of the body, creating a newer, sleeker contour. Typical areas addressed include the thighs, knees, upper arms, neck, breasts, buttocks, abdomen, and hips.

How come exercising doesn’t treat my drooping skin?

Exercise does not tighten the skin. It burns fat and tones the muscles.

Will I have any disfiguring scars?

Body contouring scars can be lengthy, but most can be concealed by clothing.

How long do results last?

The results of body contouring surgery are permanent unless you gain back weight or become pregnant. Even if you do put on some pounds, your body will mostly maintain your freshly sculpted contours.

References

  1. van der Beek, Eva S. J. M.D.; Geenen, Rinie Ph.D.; de Heer, Francine A. G.; van der Molen, Aebele B. Mink M.D., Ph.D.; van Ramshorst, Bert M.D., Ph.D. Quality of Life Long-Term after Body Contouring Surgery following Bariatric Surgery, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery: November 2012 – Volume 130 – Issue 5 – p 1133-1139 doi: 10.1097/PRS.0b013e318267d51d
  2. de Kerviler, S., Hüsler, R., Banic, A. et al. Body Contouring Surgery Following Bariatric Surgery and Dietetically Induced Massive Weight Reduction: A Risk Analysis. OBES SURG 19, 553–559 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-008-9659-8
  3. Giordano, S., Victorzon, M., Koskivuo, I., & Suominen, E. (2013). Physical discomfort due to redundant skin in post-bariatric surgery patientsΩ. Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery, 66(7), 950-955. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjps.2013.03.016
  4. Warner, Jeremy P. M.D.; Stacey, D Heath M.D.; Sillah, Nyama M. M.D.; Gould, Jon C. M.D.; Garren, Michael J. M.D.; Gutowski, Karol A. M.D. National Bariatric Surgery and Massive Weight Loss Body Contouring Survey, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery: September 2009 – Volume 124 – Issue 3 – p 926-933 doi: 10.1097/PRS.0b013e3181b03880
  5. Froylich, D., MD, Corcelles, R., MD, PhD, Daigle, C. R., MD, Aminian, A., MD, Isakov, R., MD, Schauer, P. R., MD, & Brethauer, S. A., MD. (2016). Weight loss is higher among patients who undergo body contouring procedures after bariatric surgery. Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases, 12(9), 1731-1736. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soard.2015.09.009