What is body surgery?
Body surgery is a reconstructive procedure designed to remove excess skin and extra fat in multiple areas, combining various procedures to complement a patient’s weight loss goals. It is intended for individuals who have recently undergone massive weight loss, have experienced natural ageing in areas causing skin laxity, or have excess skin after pregnancy. Elastin, a protein our body produces, allows our skin to stretch, accommodating weight fluctuations. However, as we age, elastin production decreases which is what causes skin laxity. When the skin is stretched for a significant time, and individuals undergo weight loss, the skin’s elasticity has lessened and, in most cases, cannot go back into place.
Body surgery targets excess skin and fat deposits in common areas such as the waist, abdomen, thighs, buttocks, upper torso, and upper arms. A combination of surgeries can be performed through body surgery to remove the excess skin and fat. This may be done through several stages over the course of months or even years to help achieve the desired body contours a patient is aiming for.
What can be achieved with body surgery?
Body surgery has a variety of benefits, including:
- Removes excess skin
- Reduces health issues such as skin infections, rashes, and inflammation commonly associated with excess skin
- Restores your physical movement, making exercise easier.
- Can reduce the visibility of some stretch marks and skin imperfections
Am I a suitable candidate for body surgery?
Body surgery is suitable for any individual suffering from excess skin and fat that has not dissipated through exercise and a healthy diet. It is not considered a weight loss solution, nor should it be, as it is recommended that patients have reached or are close to reaching their ideal weight. It is also vital that individuals lead a healthy and active lifestyle and are in good physical health before undergoing any procedures. These factors can help ensure that the final results of the body procedures remain long-lasting. Patients should also have a positive outlook and realistic expectations for what they would like to achieve with such a procedure.
Consultation with Dr Matt Starr
During your consultation with Plastic Surgeon Dr Matt Starr, you will need to discuss your reasons for wanting body surgery, your concerns, your overall expectations, and your goals for the treatment. Suppose your reason for wanting body surgery is weight-related. In that case, Dr Starr will talk to you about your weight loss journey thus far to understand your current health and lifestyle regime and your aesthetic goals. You will discuss with Dr Starr your medical history, any current medications you may be on, and any previous surgeries you may have undergone. He will then assess your areas of concern, evaluating the amount of excess skin and fat present, allowing him to design a treatment plan to achieve your goals. It is also an opportunity to discuss any concerns or questions, as Dr Starr will give you an idea of what should be expected before, during, and after your surgery. The information you provide is vital in helping Dr Starr design a treatment plan that effectively addresses your desired outcomes, health, and lifestyle.
The procedure
Body contouring surgery is customised to every patient’s individual goals. Therefore, no two patients will have the same experience with body contouring surgery. As mentioned, there are a variety of procedures that are offered, which can be performed in combination or in stages, including:
- Lower body lift
- Thigh lift
- Bilateral buttock augmentation (buttock lift)
- Brachioplasty – arm lift
- Abdominoplasty
- Liposuction
Depending on what procedures Dr Starr recommends for your treatment, he will provide you with details about each procedure and what to expect during your recovery and aftercare.
Recovery & aftercare
Immediately following your surgery, you may experience bruising, swelling, pain, and discomfort. Because body procedures can be reconstructive and considered major surgical procedures, you may require several days in the hospital to monitor your initial healing and manage discomfort. You may be fitted with compression garments on the surgical sites to help ease pain and swelling and support your body’s new contours. You will also have drainage tubes inserted in the treated areas to help prevent excess fluids from accumulating. Medication will also be prescribed to help with pain management.
Patients may need two to three weeks at home to recover before they begin resuming any daily activities. Exercise should be limited to only walking for at least four to six weeks post-procedure, or until Dr Starr advises. Although limited, walking is essential in helping to prevent blood clots and other complications from occurring. Any compression garments must be worn for at least six to eight weeks. At around the six-week mark, most of the swelling and post-operative symptoms should have subsided.
Scar management and aftercare are also crucial in your recovery, as body procedures can require significant incisions. Using products as prescribed by Dr Starr can help reduce the visibility of scarring.
What risks or complications are associated with body surgery?
No matter what procedure patients choose to undergo, whether medical or cosmetic, risks and complications are associated. Although these risks may not always occur, it is important to be aware of them before undergoing any procedure. Associated risks and complications with body surgeries can include:
- Poor wound healing
- Poor scarring
- Fluid accumulation
- Prolonged swelling
- Collapsed lung
- Skin discolouration and changes in skin appearance
- Numbness around surgical areas
- Damage to underlying tissue
- Loss of fat and skin (necrosis)
- Asymmetrical skin
- Haematoma
- Anaesthesia complications
