Losing a lot of weight is great for your health and confidence, but it can also leave you with loose, sagging skin. Similarly, after having kids, many women find their bodies don’t bounce back the way they'd like. Or maybe you just want a bit of help to enhance your natural shape so you can achieve the body you’ve always dreamed of.
When skin gets stretched out, it often loses its ability to snap back. So, even after losing weight or giving birth, you might end up with extra skin that’s hard to hide and makes you feel self-conscious. It’s normal to feel frustrated by this – you’ve put in the hard work, but you’re still facing a challenge.
Body contouring is here to help with those stubborn areas. At Watterson Plastic Surgery in Draper, Utah, Dr. Paul Watterson uses advanced techniques to offer customized body contouring procedures. These treatments are designed to tighten the loose skin and reshape your body.
Dr. Watterson is a board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience. He and his qualified team ensure that each procedure meets their patients' unique needs and goals, helping them achieve a smoother, more contoured appearance.
What Is Surgical Body Contouring?
Surgical body contouring, often referred to as body sculpting, is surgery that reshapes and enhances the contours of your body. This approach is particularly beneficial for anyone who's lost significant weight and is left with excess skin and stubborn fat deposits that diet and exercise can't help.
The primary goal of body contouring is to target certain areas of the body to give you the shape you desire. We can do this by removing the extra skin and fat and possibly tightening underlying tissues. It's often an essential step in completing your transformation after weight loss or having children, improving not only how your body looks but also your comfort and the fit of your clothes. It can also help if you just can’t get that one problem spot to respond to diet and exercise.
Body contouring can address multiple areas of the body and can vary in scope and complexity depending on the patient's needs. It's important to have realistic expectations and to discuss your goals thoroughly with Dr. Watterson, who will guide you through the process and help you make a plan to achieve your desired results.
Who Is a Candidate for Body Contouring Procedures?
If you're considering body contouring procedures, you'll first need to know if you are a suitable candidate. Here's what typically qualifies someone for these surgeries:
- Significant Weight Loss: Body contouring is often ideal for individuals who have lost a lot of weight and are dealing with excess, sagging skin. It's especially common for people who have lost weight through bariatric surgery.
- Stable Weight: You should be at or near your ideal weight and have maintained that weight for at least six months to a year. Fluctuations can affect the outcome of the surgery.
- Good Health: Ideal candidates should be in good general health. Chronic medical conditions such as uncontrolled diabetes, significant heart disease, or a compromised immune system could impair your healing or increase surgery risks.
- Non-smokers: Smoking can also significantly impair your healing and increase the risk of complications during and after surgery. We strongly advise our candidates to quit smoking several weeks before and after the surgery.
- Realistic Expectations: We want our candidates to have realistic expectations about body contouring results. While these procedures can significantly improve your appearance and boost your self-esteem, they're not a substitute for maintaining a healthy lifestyle or losing a significant amount of weight.
- Psychological Stability: The process of body contouring can be demanding. You'll need to be mentally prepared for the surgery and recovery. You should also have a reliable support system in place.
- Commitment to a Healthy Lifestyle: Successful, long-lasting results depend heavily on your commitment to living a healthy lifestyle after surgery, including a balanced diet and regular exercise.
Body contouring can also be a good option for people who have problem areas of excess fat or those looking to reshape their bodies after having kids.
What Are the Different Types of Body Contouring Procedures?
Body contouring encompasses a wide range of surgical procedures. Each is designed to reshape different areas of the body. Here are some of the most common types of body contouring:
- Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck): Removes excess skin and fat from the abdominal area and tightens ab muscles. It's often sought by patients after significant weight loss or pregnancy.
- Liposuction: Removes localized fat deposits through suction and can be performed on various parts of the body, including the abdomen, thighs, buttocks, neck, and arms. It's not a weight-loss solution but a way to refine and sculpt the body.
- Body Lift: Can include the lower body, upper body, or midsection. Involves removing excess skin and fat, then tightening the remaining skin. A lower body lift, for instance, typically targets the abdomen, buttocks, waist, hips, and thighs.
- Arm Lift (Brachioplasty): Reshapes the arm by removing skin and fat between the underarm and elbow. Creates smoother skin and contours.
- Thigh Lift: Targets the inner or outer thighs to reduce excess skin and fat, giving you a more toned and proportionate appearance.
- Breast Lift (Mastopexy): Raises and firms the breasts by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue. This helps improve the appearance of sagging breasts or loss of volume after weight loss or pregnancy.
- Lipoabdominoplasty: Combines liposuction and tummy tuck procedures to remove excess fat and skin from the abdominal area while also tightening the muscles. This technique provides more comprehensive results than either procedure alone. It's beneficial for individuals looking to address both fat deposits and loose skin at the same time.
Why Choose Watterson Plastic Surgery?
Dr. Paul Watterson's qualifications and advanced techniques make him the ideal choice for your body contouring needs. He is a member of the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Medical Honor Society and has received numerous accolades throughout his career, including the Glancy Outstanding Resident Award. Trained at top institutions such as George Washington University and Emory University, Dr. Watterson has a proven track record of excellence in plastic surgery.
His unique surgical technique allows him to target lateral and central areas of your torso while minimizing scarring. Dr. Watterson also ensures the removal of surgical drains within a week for better comfort and mobility. To help manage pain post-surgery, he uses a long-term numbing agent. He always has your best interests at heart from the initial consultation to your full recovery. With over 12 years of being voted “Top Doc” by his peers, Dr. Watterson's commitment to patient safety and natural results makes him the surgeon you can trust.
How Long Does Body Contouring Surgery Take?
Dr. Watterson typically performs body contouring procedures on an outpatient basis. Patients arrive at the surgery center an hour or so before their procedure. This time is spent getting into the surgical gown or dressing, marking the treatment areas, answering last-minute questions, and administering anesthesia.
The duration of the surgery itself can vary depending on the procedure and the inclusion of additional techniques. For example, a tummy tuck usually takes 1 to 2 hours. However, the procedure may last longer if the patient also has liposuction in the same surgery. We do our best to prepare patients for their surgery with an estimated completion time based on their particular situation.
What Type of Anesthesia Is Used?
All of our body contouring procedures are performed with general anesthesia. An anesthesiologist will administer IV sedation and monitor it throughout the entire procedure. General anesthesia prevents pain receptors in the brain and body from communicating. Patients feel no pain and also have no recollection of their time in surgery.
When the procedure is over, the medical team moves you to a monitored recovery area until the effects of anesthesia diminish. We'll then release you to the care of a loved one who will drive you home.
How Should I Prepare for a Body Contouring Procedure?
Depending on your health history, lifestyle, and surgical plan, the doctor may recommend certain activity modifications. In some cases, he may advise you to complete tests, such as lab work or breast screening. Patients who smoke must quit several weeks before their procedure.
You must disclose the medications and supplements you are taking to the doctor. Blood-thinning medicines and substances that thin the blood, including vitamin E and fish oil, should be avoided before surgery. If you take a prescription blood thinner, Dr. Watterson may suggest that you consult with the prescribing physician regarding dosing or other potential changes.
Is Body Contouring an Inpatient or Outpatient Procedure?
Body contouring can be either an inpatient or outpatient procedure, depending on the extent and type of surgery. The decision typically hinges on several factors, including the procedure's complexity, the patient's overall health, and the surgeon's practices.
Outpatient Procedures
Many body contouring procedures, such as minor liposuction or a slight tummy tuck, can be performed on an outpatient basis. This means you can go home the same day after the surgery. Outpatient procedures are generally shorter and involve less invasive techniques, allowing for a quicker recovery at home.
Inpatient Procedures
More extensive surgeries, such as a full abdominoplasty, major liposuction, or a lower body lift, may require an inpatient stay. These procedures are more complex and involve significant alterations that might require overnight hospitalization.
Dr. Watterson will discuss the best approach for your specific needs during your consultation.
Are There Side Effects to Body Contouring?
Nearly every surgical procedure involves post-operative side effects. These include:
- Grogginess from anesthesia and prescription pain medication.
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Swelling in the surgical site.
- Bruising in the area of the surgical site.
- Soreness or tenderness.
- Limited range of motion, depending on the procedure.
- Tiring more easily during the few weeks of recovery. You should rest as much as possible while your body uses most of your energy to heal.
Are There Risks to Surgical Body Contouring?
All surgeries come with some risks. In addition to those that are associated with general anesthesia, surgical risks include:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Fluid or blood accumulation beneath the skin
- Prolonged pain or numbness
- Poor wound healing
- Poor aesthetic outcome
Dr. Watterson will discuss potential surgical risks during your consultation visit, as well as his efforts to reduce each risk. After surgery, these risks can be reduced by strictly following post-operative instructions.
What Is the Recovery Process After a Body Lift?
Recovery from various body contouring procedures generally lasts six weeks. Patients are usually advised to take two weeks off work and other usual activities, like caring for children and pets. Post-operative side effects like discomfort, limited range of motion, and swelling are most intense during the first week after surgery. At that time, patients may rely on prescription medication for optimal comfort.
Take the medication as directed for at least a few days, even if you feel relatively comfortable. Pain can build quickly and cause unnecessary stress. After two weeks of rest, many patients can return to work and other light activities. You may still have some activity restrictions until four or more weeks of recovery, like avoiding strenuous exercise or heavy lifting, pushing, or pulling. We can usually lift these activity restrictions about six weeks post-op.
Every surgical situation is unique and customized to the patient. When you consult with us about your body lift or other contouring procedure, Dr. Watterson can provide information regarding expected recovery based on your surgical plan.
How Long Do Surgical Body Contouring Results Last?
The results achieved with a surgical contouring procedure are long-lasting. Because the treatment area usually never returns to its pre-treatment state, contouring procedure results are essentially permanent.
That said, the longevity of your body contouring results is somewhat in your hands. To prolong the effects of a facial or body contouring procedure, we advise our patients to:
- Avoid smoking and tobacco use.
- Wear sunscreen every day and avoid tanning and tanning beds.
- Pursue a healthy lifestyle that includes nutritious foods and regular exercise.
- Practice stress-management techniques like mindfulness or meditation.
- Maintain youthful skin with occasional professional treatments like chemical peels, fractional
- laser skin rejuvenation, microneedling, and injectables.
Coolsculpting®: An Alternative to Surgical Fat Reduction
This zero downtime, non-surgical, FDA-cleared treatment effectively and permanently eliminates stubborn fat from such areas as the abdomen, love handles, arms, thighs, double chin, and back. Without the need for anesthesia or recovery time, CoolSculpting is easy to fit into a lunch break and provides results in a matter of weeks.
How Much Will Body Contouring Cost?
The cost of your body contouring treatment will depend on your aesthetic goals, the size of your treatment area, and the number of procedures you may need. For a body contouring procedure using CoolSculpting, the average cost can vary between $2,000 and $4,000 per surgery. Other factors that may influence your overall body contouring cost can include:
- Geographic location
- Surgeon's experience
- Surgeon's fee
- Anesthesia fees
- Hospital costs
- Post-surgery garments
- Prescription medications
Will Insurance Cover My Body Contouring Procedure?
Because body contouring is usually a cosmetic procedure that works to help people achieve a more toned, sculpted figure, most health insurance companies do not cover the cost.
However, suppose your body contouring procedure for a weight loss treatment is related to improving your health for a medical condition. In that case, your insurance company may cover it. We recommend all patients contact their health insurance providers to learn more about their financing options for body contouring.
At Watterson Plastic Surgery, we are happy to work with all patients to help them find a financing option or payment plan that works for them.
Can Different Body Contouring Procedures Be Combined?
Yes, it's possible to pair multiple body contouring procedures with each other during one surgical session, such as liposuction and a tummy tuck. While Dr. Watterson will have to ensure that you are an eligible candidate for more than one body contouring procedure, combining them can help you achieve results faster and cut down on long recovery times from multiple surgeries.
How Can I Make My Body Contouring Results Last Longer?
When excess fat and skin are removed and sculpted during your body contouring procedure, the results are meant to be permanent and last a lifetime. However, you can maintain your newly sculpted figure as long as you maintain a stable weight. Because your figure may change due to significant weight gain or weight loss and aging, it's important to do the following to achieve long-lasting results:
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
- Eat a balanced diet that gives you the proper nutrients.
- Avoid salty, sugary, and processed foods.
- Stick to an exercise routine that helps you keep a stable weight.
Brilliant Distinctions Rewards Program
This program is free, so why not take an easy step toward keeping your skin that much more healthy and radiant?
Schedule A Consultation
At Watterson Plastic Surgery, we are committed to creating a personalized experience for each patient. During your visit, we'll evaluate your medical history, examine the areas you wish to enhance, and discuss potential treatment options tailored specifically for you. We'll also cover all aspects of the procedure, including preparation, recovery, and expected results, to ensure you have a clear and informed perspective.
Please contact our office today at 801-571-2020 to schedule your appointment. We look forward to helping you achieve your desired results and guiding you to your most confident and comfortable self.
