Body Contouring after Weight Loss Washington DC

Introduction

A consultation with Dr. Baker is the first step to learning how body contouring can help you achieve better health and an improved appearance. A consultation is designed to fully educate you about surgery in a non-pressured environment, and will include:

• A discussion of your goals and an evaluation of your case
• The options available in body contouring
• The likely outcomes of body contouring and any associated risks
• The course of treatment recommended by Dr. Baker

The Best Candidates for Body Contouring

Dramatic weight loss, whether achieved by exercise, bariatric surgery, or other forms of medical treatment, has many benefits. However, once you reach your desired weight, you may find that you still do not have the fit and healthy body image you desire. The skin may be loose and sagging and in many cases, your body contours may appear irregular and disharmonious.

If you have developed excess skin, increased weight, or undesirable body proportion, surgical body contouring may be right for you. In general, body contouring following major weight loss reduces excess fat and skin that has developed in multiple body areas. The result of surgery is a smoother, more attractive body contour. Body contouring after major weight loss is an important and rewarding phase of your challenge to have a healthier, more proportionate body and can help you further enhance your body image and self-confidence.

Evaluation

Overall health and personal outlook can greatly impact the outcome of your surgery. These will be carefully evaluated in your consultation with Dr. Baker. The success of your procedure, safety, and overall satisfaction require that you honestly share your expectations, fully disclose your medical history and commit to following your surgeon’s instructions.

Any patient who has had children lose significant weight developed skin laxity from aging, or even had bariatric (weight loss) surgery may be a candidate for body contouring surgery. In general, good candidates for body contouring are:

• Adults of any age whose weight loss has stabilized
• Healthy individuals who do not have medical conditions that can impair healing or increase surgery risks
• Non-smokers
• Individuals with a positive outlook and realistic goals
• Individuals committed to leading a healthy lifestyle

In a body lift, a circumferential incision removes an apron of loose skin and fat and tightens tissues of the buttocks, abdomen, waist, hips, and thighs in one procedure.

The breast lift can help restore a youthful appearance to sagging, flattened breasts after dramatic weight loss.

Arm lift surgery tightens loose, hanging tissue of the upper arm.

What is Body Contouring Surgery?

Body changes from weight, children, or aging can cause changes in your body in many ways. Following pregnancy, weight reduction surgery, or any substantial weight loss, the skin and tissues often lack elasticity and cannot conform to the reduced body size. As a result, skin that has been severely stretched now is unsupported, and begins to sag in pockets that most commonly develop around these areas:

• Face, neck, and jowls, resulting in a droopy, sad appearance
• Upper arms, resulting in a “bat-wing” appearance
• Breasts, causing them to flatten and hang with nipples pointing down
• The abdominal area, extends around the sides and into the lower back, resulting in an apron-like overhang
• Buttocks, groin, and thighs, causing hanging pockets of skin

Surgical body contouring improves the shape and tone of the underlying tissue that supports fat and skin and removes excess sagging fat and skin. The result is a more normal body appearance with smoother contours.

Where do I begin?

A consultation with Dr. Baker is the first step to learning how body contouring can help you achieve better health and an improved appearance. A consultation is designed to fully educate you about surgery in a non-pressured environment, and will include:

• A discussion of your goals and an evaluation of your case
• The options available in body contouring
• The likely outcomes of body contouring and any associated risks
• The course of treatment recommended by your plastic surgeon

It looks very natural

“Dr. Baker, Thank you for improving my ability to breath and for fixing my nose. Now, when I look in the mirror, I see beyond my nose-I see my face. Immediately, my co-workers complemented me on the skills of my surgeon. Despite the swelling, everyone said it looks very natural and that you have done a good job. Thank you for your skills, understanding, and warm personality. I’m glad I chose you. Thanks!”

READ MORE REVIEWS

Preparing for Surgery

Dr. Baker will carefully explain your body-contouring plan. Before any surgery, you will be given specific instructions that may include information about diagnostic testing, medications, day of surgery instructions, anesthesia, and post-operative care.

In addition, you will be asked to sign consent forms to assure Dr. Baker that you fully understand the procedure(s) and any associated risks or potential complications.

Whether Dr. Baker performs your body contouring procedure at Georgetown University Hospital (Washington D.C.), Inova Fairfax Hospital (Falls Church, VA), or an ambulatory surgical facility (McLean, VA), you should arrange for someone to drive you home after your surgery, and to help you out for a day or two.

Anesthesia

Body contouring surgery may be performed in an ambulatory surgical facility or a hospital, possibly with an overnight hospital stay. Procedures are performed under general anesthesia. These decisions will be based on the requirements of your specific procedure and considerations of patient preference.

Dr. Baker will recommend the best choice for you.

Risks and complications

Possible risks of body contouring include bleeding, infection, fluid accumulation, delayed or poor healing, skin loss, blood clots, excessive or widened scars, numbness and other changes in skin sensation, and irregular or asymmetric scars. Any surgery carries risks associated with anesthesia. These risks and others will be fully discussed before your consent. You must address all your questions directly with Dr. Baker. It is natural to feel some anxiety, whether excitement about the anticipated outcomes or preoperative stress. Discuss these feelings with Dr. Baker.

Where is Surgery Performed?

Body contouring procedures may be performed in an ambulatory surgical facility or a hospital, possibly with an overnight hospital stay. Procedures are most commonly performed under general anesthesia, although local anesthesia with sedation may also be used. These decisions will be based on the requirements of your specific procedure and considerations of the patient and Dr. Baker. Dr. Baker and the assisting staff will fully attend to your comfort and safety.

The incisions

All body contouring procedures require incisions to remove excess skin. In many cases, these incisions may be extensive. Incision length and pattern depend on the amount and location of excess skin to be removed, as well as personal preference and Dr. Baker’s surgical judgment. Advanced techniques usually allow incisions to be placed in strategic locations where they can be hidden by most types of clothing, but this is not always the case.

Body contouring may be performed in stages. Your particular condition and goals, as well as Dr. Baker’s best judgment, will influence how Dr. Baker defines a surgical plan. While it may have taken you two years or more to lose all the excess weight, it may take equally as long for the results of your body contouring to be complete.

Body Lift

A complete lower body lift treats sagging buttocks, abdomen, waist, hips, and outer thighs in one procedure or staged procedures. Incision patterns vary and may include a circumferential incision around the body to remove the “belt” of excess skin and fat.

Breast Lift

The incision patterns for lifting a woman’s sagging breasts will be determined based on the amount of excess skin to be removed. These may include one or a combination of incisions in a circular pattern around the areola, in a line extending from the areola to the breast crease, and horizontally along the breast crease.

A breast implant also may be recommended to enhance breast shape and size.

Arm Lift

Sagging skin in the upper arms is treated with an incision from the underarm area extending along the inside or back of the upper arm. Additional incisions on the arms may be necessary anywhere excess skin has formed sagging pockets.

The smoother, tighter contours that result from upper arm contouring are apparent almost immediately, although initially obscured by swelling and bruising. In addition, skin quality is dramatically improved in both appearance and texture.

Thigh Lift

Reshaping of the thighs is achieved through incisions in the groin that can extend downward to the knee along the inner portion of the thigh. Improving the contours of the outer thigh may require an incision extending from the groin around the hip. Through these incisions, Dr. Baker will tighten tissues for a smoother, better toned thigh.

Recovery

Once your procedures are completed, dressing or bandages may be applied to your incisions. Areas of the body that have been treated may be wrapped in an elastic bandage to minimize swelling and support your new contours as you heal. Small, thin tubes may be temporarily placed under the skin to drain excess fluid or blood that may collect. Before you are released, you and your accompanying caregiver will be given specific instructions that may include:

• How to care for the surgical site and drains
• Medications to apply or take orally to aid healing and reduce infection risk
• Specific concerns to look for at the surgical site or in your general health
• When to follow up with Dr. Baker

Initial healing will include swelling at the incision sites. Discomfort is common and can be controlled with medication. You will be instructed to return to light walking as soon as possible to minimize the potential for blood clots and other complications.

You may be instructed to avoid bending, straining, or lifting for several days to weeks. Where tightening of the abdomen or thighs is involved, Dr. Baker may also instruct you to avoid standing fully upright and stressing any internal sutures as they heal, and to sleep with pillows elevating your knees. Follow all instructions carefully – this is essential to the success of your outcome.

Initial wound healing may take 7 to 14 days, after which time sutures will be removed if necessary. You will be ready to return to work and normal activity in a few weeks, so long as you do not engage in any heavy lifting or vigorous exercise.

Healing will continue for many weeks as swelling resolves and incision lines continue to improve. Numbness and a firm feeling over the skin’s surface will improve over time. Once you have completely recovered from one series of procedures, it may be time to begin preparation for additional procedures in other body areas.

Your New Look

The results of a body contouring following major weight loss are visible almost immediately; however, it may take as long as one to two years or more for the final results of all the recommended procedures to be fully appreciated. Visible scars are something you must accept in your goals of achieving a body contour that matches your new body weight and proportion. The results are long-lasting, provided that you maintain a stable weight and general fitness. As your body ages, it is natural to lose some firmness, but most of your initial improvement should be relatively permanent.

How Much Does Body Contouring Surgery Costs?

The cost of a Body Contouring Surgery will depend on several factors. The price can be affected by body type, type of technique performed, surgical complications, and even allergies. Find out more by scheduling a consultation.

Schedule a Body Contouring Surgery Consultation

If you have any questions about Body Contouring Surgery in Washington DC or would like to book a consultation with Dr. Baker, please contact Dr. Baker today. Our skilled team can help you get the sculpted body you have always desired.