Who are these operations indicated for?
The skin of the inner surface of the shoulders and thighs is thin, with a small amount of elastic fibers, so after significant weight loss it does not shrink and remains in the form of hanging folds. Neither exercise nor liposuction solves this problem: removing fat without excision of the skin will only increase sagging. The surgeon excises excess skin and fatty tissue, placing the scar on the inner surface - in an area that is least noticeable in the normal position of the arms and legs. The main trade-off of these operations is a long scar in exchange for a normal limb contour, and the patient is warned about this in advance.
Body contouring
Surgeries on the body solve problems that are not possible with diet and training: excess stretched skin after losing weight or childbirth is not reduced, and local fat deposits on the hips and abdomen remain even at normal weight.
An important condition is a stable weight. It is not advisable to operate against the background of ongoing weight loss or gain: the result will change along with the body.
What is taken into account when planning
- Weight stability over the past 6–12 months
- plans for pregnancy - it is better to postpone operations on the chest and abdomen
- skin quality and elasticity
- Quitting smoking: nicotine dramatically impairs healing and increases the risk of necrosis
Recovery
Compression garments are not a formality: they reduce swelling, help the skin contract and form the correct contour. Tissue swelling persists for several weeks, so it makes no sense to evaluate the result before 3–6 months.