Some areas can be combined in one operation, but surgeons usually stage a full body lift across two or more sessions. Operating time, blood loss and the sheer amount of skin removed all add up, so treating the torso, thighs and arms on the same day carries more risk than splitting the same work across separate dates. A common approach is to treat the lower body first and return three to six months later for the upper body, once healing is complete. Many patients who have lost a large amount of weight also want an arm lift, which is often scheduled in that later stage. Your surgeon will set the order based on which area troubles you most and what your recovery can support.

The quote depends on how many areas you treat and whether the work happens in one stage or several. A single lower body lift sits near the bottom of the range, while a staged plan covering the torso, thighs and chest reaches the top of it. Surgeon fees, anaesthetic time, the operating facility and post-surgical garments are usually itemised separately, so ask for a written breakdown rather than one figure. Adding a thigh lift to the plan, for example, changes both the operating time and the total. Prices also differ between provinces and between clinics in the same city, so compare quotes on what each one includes rather than on the headline number.

Body contouring surgery addresses loose skin and tissue caused by significant weight loss through non-surgical lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise or bariatric surgery. Loose skin commonly develops on the abdomen, arms, thighs, and back. Body contouring after weight loss resuspends soft tissues and tightens loose skin in the targeted areas, providing patients with a new physique, youthful tautness, and an attractively proportioned shape.

After a large weight loss occurs, excess skin that cannot shrink down to the new body shape is left behind. This can occur in areas such as the upper arms, breasts, abdomen, buttocks, and thighs, resulting in a saggy, deflated appearance with a lack of tone. Supporting a significant amount of fat for an extended period of time may also result in stubborn fat deposits that have not decreased proportionately with the rest of the weight loss, creating an uneven appearance. Body contouring after significant weight loss is intended to address these concerns so that you can fully enjoy the benefits of your weight-loss efforts. Patients can also experience emotional and psychological benefits following weight loss body contouring.

Body contouring following weight loss combines a number of procedures intended to remove excess skin and fat while tightening the underlying tissue. Naturally, the procedures recommended will be based on your specific physique and desires.

A weight loss body contouring plan may include some of the following procedures:

• Arm Lift

• Breast Lift

• Tummy Tuck

• Thigh Lift

• Butt Lift

• Liposuction

• Back Lift

Good candidates for body contouring after weight loss are individuals in generally good health, and have some of the characteristics listed below:

• Have a significant amount of loose tissue in one or more body areas as a result of bypass surgery or lifestyle changes

• Individuals who have reached or are close to weight-loss targets and are able to maintain/ stabilize their weight

• Do not have medical conditions that impede healing or increase surgical risks

• Non-smoker or willing to quit

• Have realistic goals and expectations

Recovery depends heavily on which procedures are performed and how they are combined, so the range is wide. Patients can anticipate soreness for the first few weeks, and bruising and swelling settle naturally over the weeks that follow. For a single smaller procedure such as an arm lift, many patients return to office-based work in about two weeks. For a full or lower body lift, expect closer to three to four weeks before returning to a sitting job, and four to six weeks before returning to work generally. Surgical drains are usually in place for one to four weeks, and a compression garment is worn for at least six weeks. Exercise and strenuous activity such as weightlifting are typically restricted for six to eight weeks, and residual swelling settles gradually over several months. Your surgeon will give you a timeline based on your specific plan.

Body contouring after weight loss is considered to have long-lasting results if weight remains stable. It is critical to maintain a healthy body weight after surgery to ensure that weight fluctuations do not jeopardize the results of weight loss body contouring. Weight gain can cause fatty tissue deposits and soft tissue bulges, which can have a negative impact on results.

As with any surgical procedure, there are risks to body contouring after weight loss. Some of the risks and side effects include, but are not limited to:

• Infection

• Blood clots

• Poor healing/ scarring

• Bleeding

• Pain or significant swelling

The cost of body contouring after weight loss will vary from patient to patient depending on the type of treatment and the complexity of the procedure. The cost of body contouring weight loss procedures in Canada is between $3,300 to $20,000.

512/531 of people who have undergone body contouring after weight loss have rated the procedure “Worth It” (96%).

• Source – Realself.com