Massive Weight Loss
Massive Weight Loss
Bariatric Surgery has become increasing more popular as a form of treatment for morbid obesity. Massive Weight Loss is associated with loose skin and fat over the entire body, making body contouring necessary to improve mobility and body image. Patients who have lost massive amounts of weight are turning to Plastic surgery in increasing numbers to help improve their quality of life and self-esteem.
About Massive Weight Loss
Individuals who have undergone massive weight loss or who have significant skin and tissue laxity throughout the trunk (abdomen/lower back), hips, thighs and buttocks are good candidates for a lower body lifting procedure. Patients who have undergone a “tummy tuck” have already experienced a portion of the body lift. The “lower portion” completes the tightening of tissues of the side, thigh and lower back areas.
At the consultation appointment, Dr. Dry will examine your body to determine whether you are a candidate for a lower body lift or other type of procedure. He and his staff will spend considerable time with you to answer your questions and describe what to expect if you undergo surgery. Plan to spend at least an hour with us, to allow time for discussion about the surgery itself and what to expect post-operatively.
The lower body lift is a procedure that is always done in the hospital. Prior to the procedure, an extensive and detailed “body marking” procedure is done to prepare you for surgery. This “marking procedure” enables Dr. Dry to plan his incisions to ensure optimal results for you and well concealed scars. The surgery itself is performed under general anesthesia by a board certified Anesthesiologist. The surgery is carried out in three stages. The first two stages occur with the patient lying on their side. During these stages, skin and fat from the buttocks, hips, back and thighs are removed from each side. During the third stage, a “tummy tuck” is performed to remove lax tissues of the abdomen and elevate the mons. The net effect is tightening of the tissues of the lower back, buttocks, hips, thighs and abdomen.
Most of these procedures are not covered by insurance. Financing through third party companies can be obtained at varying interest rates.
Definitions.
Lower Body Lift —Body lifts are “facelifts” for the body. Liposuction and body lifts are often combined to treat both familial fat deposits and skin laxity. This results in tightening of abdominal/trunk and thigh looseness (laxity) by removing a wide belt of excess skin and fat around the entire body. Effectively, this lifts the thighs, buttocks, abdomen, waist, and hips all during one procedure. The incision is a “thong” bikini line incision around the entire body, producing a scar hidden by most bikini outlines, which usually fades substantially over 6-12 months.
Tummy Tuck —The Tummy Tuck (abdominoplasty) is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen and to tighten the muscles of the abdominal wall. Good candidates for a tummy tuck are those who have developed laxity in the skin and muscles of the abdomen and stomach areas.
Thigh Lift —A surgical procedure that undermines the skin and removes the excess skin and fat targeting the outer and inner thigh.
Breast Lift (Mastopexy) —Breast lift (or mastopexy) is a surgical procedure that is performed to lift and reshape sagging breasts. Over the years, breasts lose their shape and firmness from natural aging, pregnancies, and nursing.
Brachioplasty (arm lift) —A a surgical procedure to remove loose skin and excess fat deposits in the upper arm area. The upper arm skin can become loose due to age, weight loss or a combination of both.
Face/Neck Lift —A Necklift elevates the skin and soft tissues of the neck, and returns them close to their original location, thus restoring a "rested" and more youthful appearance.
Liposuction —Liposuction removes excess fat from unwanted bulges through small incisions or ports in the skin. The fat is removed using thin stainless steel tubes (cannulas) after it has been “conditioned”. Once the excess fat has been removed, the skin should conform to the smaller shape in a few months provided that the skin is youthful and elastic. If skin lacks strength and elasticity, its tone will worsen after liposuction, accelerating the aged appearance of the tissues (ie. sagging). Thus, in patients with marginal skin tone and fat deposits, it may be prudent to lift and suction during the same procedure to ensure an optimal result.
Buttock Lift —This is usually done as part of the lower body lift. If an abdominoplasty alone is performed then an extra surgery may be needed to lift the excess, sagging skin in the buttock region.
Inner (Medial) Thigh Lift —The inner thigh lift tightens the upper inner thigh region, with scars hidden in the inner thigh crease. This region may be partially corrected in a lower body lift, but sometimes requires a separate procedure.