Body Contouring Plastic Surgery in Fort Worth
Body Cosmetic Surgery Overview
Mother Nature and age are two forces continually working on one’s body over time. Diet and exercise can go a long way in helping a person age gracefully. But for those people who may have put on weight over the years, and then successfully lost that excess weight, the result of extreme weight loss can mean unattractive stretched-out excess skin that needs to be surgically removed.
Thankfully, plastic surgeons today are able to perform specialized cosmetic surgeries that address many such problems. Body contouring is a term that has become the most popular way to surgically enhance one’s body appearance.
There are a variety of procedures that fall under the term “body contouring” including:
- Liposuction
- Tummy Tuck
- Arm Lift
- Body Lift
Liposuction is the most popular cosmetic surgery procedure in the United States among both men and women, with 324,000 people having the procedure done in 2005 alone.
Liposuction is the removal of fat cells through a suction tube. The cosmetic surgeon makes a half-inch incision in the thigh area, or abdomen, and can selectively remove problem fat rolls to provide a more youthful and healthy appearance.
A tummy tuck is given to eliminate the excess skin and fat that hangs over the abdomen. With a tummy tuck, the cosmetic surgeon makes an incision in the lower abdomen, removes fatty tissue, and then tightens the abdominal area.
A lower body lift abolishes the sagging skin in your lower abdomen, buttocks, groin and outer thighs that exists as a result of dramatic weight loss. Breast lifts are often preformed to remedy sagging and flattened breasts. Some patients opt for brachioplasty, which removes the excess skin from the upper arms. A medial thigh lift is another body contouring procedure that eliminates sagging skin that appears in the inner, outer and mid-thigh areas.
Dr. Faires does not perform buttock and calf implant surgeries, as these procedures can be unsafe. A buttock or thigh lift can be just as effective at sculpting the area around the buttocks and creating more natural-looking results with significantly less risk.
Your Personal Consultation in Our Fort Worth Plastic Surgery Office
During your initial consultation, Dr. Faires will discuss reasonable goals and expectations. Dr. Faires will be able to fully explain the options body contouring offers, listen to your desires and guide you towards the best procedures to fit your needs. Dr. Faires will also discuss the risks and complications of the procedure as well as your overall health.
Information About Body Plastic Surgery
During body contouring surgery, general anesthesia will be used.
It is important for the patient to remember that all body contouring requires incisions to remove the extra skin. The majority of the time surgeons aim to make the extensive incisions in places that can be easily hidden by clothing but this is not always possible. The length and pattern of the incision depend entirely on the individual patient’s case.
Limitations to the Body Sculpting Procedure
Although very uncommon, some risks are associated with body contouring. Risks include bleeding, infection, delayed or poor wound healing, blood clots, numbness, fluid accumulations, skin loss, excessive or widened scars along with various changes in skin sensation and/or irregularities in contours or scars.
Recovery from Body Contouring Cosmetic Surgery
Soon after surgery, your doctor will probably want to you begin light walking in order to reduce the likelihood of blood clots and other complications. You will need to resist any situations that involve tightening of the abdomen and thighs, such as standing upright, bending, lifting or stressing any internal sutures as they heal for several days up to weeks.
Wounds should totally heal within one to two weeks. Sutures will be removed during this time if needed. You will be back at work within a few weeks but returning to vigorous activities such as working out may take longer.
The healing process is not one that will be over in a couple of weeks. You will notice in the year following your procedure that your skin will continue to tighten and the surface appearance will greatly improve over time. Remember that if it took you a year to lose the weight, it will probably take about the same time to get your body to your desired appearance.
Follow up visits with Dr. Faires will help to monitor your progress. If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Faires immediately.
Body Contouring Results
You will be able to see results from the surgery almost immediately. It could take anywhere from one to two years for the full effect of the results to be visible. Body contouring usually lasts a long time provided that you stick to your weight guidelines and fitness commitment as discussed by you and your physician prior to surgery.
How to choose the right plastic surgeon? Look for ASPS board certification.
For heart surgery, the physician must be board certified in cardiovascular surgery to perform heart operations. Unlike other medical specialties, however, the field of cosmetic surgeon has no such requirements. A general surgeon with no special training in plastic surgery could promote himself as a cosmetic surgeon to the prospective patient.
Consequently, when considering plastic surgery, how does one determine if a physician has had advanced training in cosmetic surgery. A surgeon who is board-certified by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons has done a residency, and then a specialized internship in plastic surgery.
Members of The American Society of Plastic Surgeons® are:
- Certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery® or The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada®.
- Operate only in accredited medical facilities.
- Adhere to a strict code of ethics.
- Fulfill continuing medical education requirements, including standards and innovations in patient safety.
Plastic surgery is about a lot more than vanity. Years ago, board-certified plastic surgeons had the special skills to help burn patients recover and lead normal lives. ASPS member surgeons are also trained in a variety of reconstructive procedures, including burn, wound and trauma repair; tumor removal and cancer reconstruction; correction of birth defects and acquired deformities; hand surgery; maxillofacial and craniofacial surgery; and microsurgical reconstruction. Founded in 1931, ASPS is the largest plastic surgery organization in the world. ASPS Member Surgeons are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, which is the only board dedicated to plastic surgery of the face and entire body.
