Dramatic Body Contouring in Santa Barbara, CA
Significant weight loss from dieting, bariatric surgery and even pregnancy often leaves loose and extra skin behind. Body contouring, also known as body sculpting, can help remove this excess skin as well as reshape areas of the body to reveal a beautiful shape that lies underneath.
The term “body contouring” refers to procedures, including abdominoplasty, body lift and liposuction, that help shape the body when diet and exercise no longer work. At Montecito Plastic Surgery in Santa Barbara, Dr. Lowenstein regularly performs these procedures and helps tailor them to a patient’s individual needs. Being double board-certified and having decades of experience under his belt, Dr. Lowenstein is one of the most skilled plastic surgeons in the Santa Barbara region you can trust with your body contouring procedure.
Types of Body Contouring
Abdominoplasty
The most common procedure performed in body contouring is abdominoplasty. Popularly called a tummy tuck, this surgical procedure involves the removal of excess skin in the abdominal area. It often involves tightening of the abdominal muscles as well. During an abdominoplasty, Dr. Lowenstein makes a low horizontal incision, and in some cases, a second incision around the belly button. The skin is then lifted to access excess fat and weakened abdominal muscles. Excess skin is also removed in the process.
Lower Body lift
Besides around the abdomen, people who lose a significant amount of weight are also often left with excess tissue around the lower back, thighs and buttocks. Others may simply find it challenging to lose weight in these particular areas. A lower body lift can help address these issues. The procedure involves performing an abdominoplasty in conjunction with a flank, thigh and buttock lift. Tightening of abdominal wall muscles may also be performed along with liposuction.
Liposuction
Another popular body contouring procedure is liposuction. This procedure is performed in patients who are near their ideal weight but have pouches of fat that resist diet and exercise. It is often performed together with other plastic surgery procedures, notably during an abdominoplasty or a mommy makeover. A skilled and experienced plastic surgeon can provide smooth and even results with liposuction while minimizing your risks and downtime.
Arm Lift
An arm lift, or a brachioplasty, is performed in cases of excess tissue in the upper arm area following weight loss. Careful excision of excess skin and fat of the upper arm can not only make it easier for you to fit in clothes better, but it will improve your comfort levels as well. An arm lift leaves a visible scar on the inside of the upper arm. In selected patients, a modified arm lift limits scars to the armpit area and is usually combined with liposuction. Due to visible scarring with arm lifts, we often recommend non-surgical procedures like Renuvion® in milder cases of skin sagging.
Thigh Lift
A thigh lift is a well-tolerated plastic surgery procedure that can improve the contour of the medial portion of the upper leg. Often combined with liposuction, this procedure can help refine the leg to a more shapely, youthful appearance. Scarring from a thigh lift is well concealed and limited to the groin area. Dr. Lowenstein uses strong, deep sutures following a thigh lift to minimize the appearance of scarring and help optimize recovery.
FAQs
Ideal candidates are relatively healthy adults who have lost a significant amount of weight and are at or near their ideal weight. Body contouring procedures can help remove excess tissue that is left after you have successfully lost weight. Women who had their final pregnancy may also consider body contouring surgery.
When performed by a qualified and experienced plastic surgeon, body contouring is mostly safe. Like all invasive procedures, body contouring comes with certain risks, including bleeding, blood clots, seroma, complications from anesthesia, fluid accumulation, etc. These will be discussed in detail before you decide to proceed with surgery.
The skin and excess fat removed during a body contouring procedure are gone forever. So, in that sense, the results from a body contouring procedure can be considered permanent. You will need to stay at a healthy weight, however, to maintain your new shape.
You will notice results immediately following surgery. However, you will see your final frame once the swelling from the surgery subsides and the stitches heal. Over time, scarring will greatly diminish to where it is barely visible.
It can take several months for you to completely recover from multiple body contouring procedures performed after dramatic weight loss. You will likely feel discomfort in the first couple of weeks following surgery. Our team will provide you with instructions on managing pain and which surgical garments to wear to optimize your outcomes and speed up your recovery process.
The costs of body contouring depend on the type and number of treatment areas and the extent of the surgery. Body contouring costs vary significantly based on other factors as well. We will discuss expected costs for your case during your initial consultation. Where body contouring is a medically necessary procedure, your health insurance may help cover the costs.
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