Body contouring is a series of operations that change the shape of your body. A common reason this is done is to remove excess sagging skin after you lose weight. Procedures might include an arm lift, tummy tuck, thigh lift, lower body lift, or breast lift. One of the most troubling areas of sagging skin after weight loss is in the abdominal area. It can be removed with a tummy tuck or removed along with excess skin in other areas with a body lift. Here's why the stomach area is often done first and the technique that might be used.

Why Excess Abdominal Skin Is A Problem

While skin hanging from your arms and sagging breasts might be bothersome and embarrassing, excess skin around your stomach can interfere with your daily life and even lead to infections. If you have a lot of skin, it may be difficult to fit into clothing. The skin may rub against your lower body when you walk or try to exercise and cause soreness and chafing. A potentially serious problem that can develop is infection under the skin since it is difficult to keep the area dry. These problems are why a stomach lift is often the first procedure you and your surgeon may elect to do.

How Excess Stomach Skin Is Removed

The approach your surgeon takes depends on the amount of excess skin you have. If you don't have an excessive amount of skin and it is localized in the abdominal area, then a tummy tuck might be what you need. During this procedure, the surgeon might use liposuction to contour your shape and then cut away excess skin to tighten the stomach area. The abdominal muscles might be tightened at the same time to give your abdomen a flatter appearance.

If you have loose skin over your buttocks and thighs as well or if you have a large amount of hanging skin in your abdominal area, then a body lift might be a better solution. This involves making an incision that circles your body and pulling up the skin over your stomach, thighs, and buttocks to make it tighter. This type of surgery treats multiple areas at once and it could be the best option if you want to contour your entire body. When you've recovered from the body lift, your surgeon may then proceed with the breast lift and arm lift for a complete transformation in your appearance.

While you may associate this type of surgery with people who have lost hundreds of pounds, body contouring can help you even if you've just been moderately overweight or pregnant. The results of body contouring give you a firmer shape since it tightens skin and removes fat pockets. Sometimes it isn't possible to achieve the shape you want with dieting and exercise alone. That's when body contouring can make a big difference in your appearance and your self-confidence. 

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