Body

Abdominoplasty is a surgical procedure that helps to flatten and shape the abdomen and waist by removing excess fat and skin and tightening muscles.
   
The best candidates are in good physical condition with pockets of fat or loose skin that haven’t responded well to diet and exercise. Older, slightly obese people whose skin has lost some of its elasticity can be helped. Abdominoplasty can also be useful for women with stretched skin and muscles from pregnancy, although results from the procedure will diminish if they continue to bear children. For this reason, women who plan to have children again are advised to delay abdominoplasty. Patients who intend to lose a lot of weight are also encouraged to wait before undergoing the procedure, since skin in that area typically loosens after substantial weight loss.
   
The procedure takes approximately four hours and is performed with general anesthesia. Recovery time is a minimum of three weeks, but with a balanced diet and regular exercise results are long-lasting.

Panniculectomy is a procedure often coverd by insurance. It addresses overhanging skin and fat from the lower abdomen to relieve discomfort, skin irritation, and hygiene issues after significant weight loss. It is a functional procedure rather than a cosmetic one and does not tighten muscles or reshape the waistline.

Liposuction sculpts the body by removing undesirable fat from areas of the body such as the thighs, neck or chin  that have not responded to diet and exercise. General anesthesia may be used and the procedure can take anywhere from one to three hours depending on the amount of fat being removed.
   
Several tiny incisions are made in as inconspicuous a place as possible. A cannula (small tube) is inserted and moved back-and-forth beneath the skin, breaking up the fat layer and suctioning it out.
   
After surgery, compression garments and antibiotics may be needed to facilitate the healing process. Patients are encouraged to walk as soon as they are able and many return to work within a week, although strenuous activity should be avoided for about a month. Results are visible immediately, though improvement may continue as swelling subsides during the first six months. Scars are small and inconspicuous. Other irregularities in appearance are possible, such as asymmetric or “baggy” skin, numbness and pigmentation changes.

The arm lift (or brachioplasty) attempts to procure a more natural and youthful look by removing the fat and excess skin hanging down from the upper arms. This is more commonly seen in women, but can occur in men who have lost significant weight. The incision is made beneath the arm and can extend from the elbow to the armpit, varying upon how much skin must be removed. However, most patients are satisfied with the results and believe trading “skin for scars” is worthwhile, especially when they are efficiently hidden.