Have you recently lost weight but noticed your figure still doesn’t look the way that you want it to? Maybe you have some loose skin, or even stubborn areas of fat that just aren’t going away. After putting in all of the hard work to lose weight, you should be able to look and feel your absolute best.
Unfortunately, losing weight alone doesn’t always boost our confidence as much as it should. With cosmetic procedures like body contouring after weight loss, that excess fat and skin can be taken care of, allowing you to feel more confident in yourself. While considering post-weight loss body contouring, it’s important to be aware of what you can expect and what you shouldn’t expect after the procedure.
What Is Body Contouring?
Post-weight-loss body contouring can look different for each individual who chooses to get it. There are several different body contouring procedures that focus on different areas of the body. These include: arm lifts, breast lifts, facelifts, lower body lifts, thigh lifts, and abdominoplasty (tummy tucks). These procedures target areas of the body that have loose skin or stubborn fat that lingers after dramatic weight loss, whether through diet and exercise or bariatric surgery.
The type of body contouring procedure that will fit your needs is completely dependent on your circumstances, which is why it is important to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon to learn about which procedure will fit your goals.
Emotional Benefits of Body Contouring
Recent studies have shown that body contouring after weight loss, abdominoplasty specifically, had the following effects on women who got the procedure:
- Improved quality of life
- Greater body satisfaction
- More effectiveness
- Higher sexual functioning
- Higher self-esteem
The same study also proved that eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia were significantly improved after the body contouring procedure. The “desire for thinness” was almost completely eradicated, allowing these women to feel confident in their own skin.
Having an improved quality of life and higher self-esteem alone can improve many aspects of your life. Your heightened self-esteem can make you feel more confident, giving you more opportunities in your professional and personal life to take advantage of. Your newfound confidence can also allow you to stop comparing yourself to others and enjoy your social life to the fullest.
What Body Contouring CAN’T Do
While post-weight loss body contouring can improve your self confidence, it is important to remember that body contouring can only improve areas of the body, not perfect them. Body contouring after weight loss will certainly get rid of most of your stubborn fat and loose skin, but nothing can be completely taken away. There may still be some extra skin and additional scarring as a result of the procedure, which is important to prepare for.
Body contouring will also not fix certain ways of thinking such as body dysmorphia or having a poor perception of yourself. Only you can change the way that you think! It is also important to remember that body contouring should not be used as a primary source of weight loss, and should only be used to get rid of stubborn areas of fat or loose skin. While body contouring after weight loss can certainly boost your confidence, it will not prevent you from gaining weight in the future. It is important to stick to a healthy diet and exercise routine to maintain your results and your confidence!
Dr. Francesco Campanile is a board-certified plastic surgeon who is also fellowship trained in hand and microsurgery. Dr. Campanile knows that making a lasting change to your appearance is a big decision. His calm, professional approach and deep caring for his patients set a tone that will help you feel confident and relaxed while reviewing your options and learning all about the procedures that can benefit you. Request a consultation today to meet with Dr. Campanile in person.
