Benefits of Body Contouring: Hygiene, activity, self esteem/body image

Body Image and Quality of Life improved by Body Lift

  • Quality of life improves after bariatric surgery and is significantly enhanced by body contouring
    • Social/cultural performance
    • Personal relations
    • Productivity
    • Overall health
  • Improvements are in body image are general and not limited to treated area
  • Obesity 14: 1626 -36, 2006
  • Obesity Surgery 18(6):728 -32, 2008

So why undergo body contouring procedures?
Paralleling the increasing use of bariatric surgery is an increasing desire for body contouring surgery. Most patients desire body contouring surgery after bariatric surgery. However, third party payors usually do not reimburse for such procedures.
Qualtiy of life after abdominoplasty and after bariatric surgery

Choosing Body Lift/Body Contouring: The Process of Undergoing Surgery and Recovery Surgical Fees

  • Body Contouring is not considered an ‘essential’ service
    • Service not covered by provincial health plans
  • Fees depend on the extent and detail of procedure required

The Plastic Surgery Clinic

  • State of the art facility
    • Established 20 years ago
    • Brand new operating facility
    • Surgical team with expertise in body contouring
  • Multidisciplinary team dedicated to overweight patients

Initial Consultation

  • Introduction to the Clinic
  • Initial assessment with a Plastic Surgeon
    • Medical and surgical history
    • Physical examination
    • Photographs
  • Review of treatment options
    • Description of surgical procedures
      • •Photos and videos
    • Review of potential risks and complications

Body Lift/Body Contouring Staging

  • Multiple body areas addressed in stages
  • Minimum 3 months between stages
    • Should be back to normal health before performing another procedure
  • Designed to protect patient’s safety and to ensure optimal outcome
  • First stage
    • Body lift, liposuction thighs
  • Second stage
    • Medial thigh lift and arm lift
  • Third stage
    • Breast and trunk lift
  • Fourth stage
    • Facial rejuvenation
  • Fifth stage
    • Revisions if necessary

Pre-Surgical Investigations

  • Laboratory investigations
    • Standard blood work
    • CXR and ECG (if required)
    • Nutritional assessment
    • Additional investigations as necessary

Day of Surgery

  • Fasting
  • Arrive at the Clinic early in the morning
  • Final pre -surgical check
    • Nursing checklist and vital signs
  • Pre -Surgical Waiting room
    • Private room for markings and pre -photographs
    • Measured for compression garments
    • Pre-surgical medications given

Preoperative Markings

body contouring markings toronto
  • Crucial step in the surgical procedure
  • Can take 25-40 minutes before surgery
  • Amount of tissue to be resected is estimated
  • Body asymmetry is marked

Your initial consultation is very important. You will be asked to provide your medical history. While your candidacy for breast reduction may seem obvious and wholly related to your weight loss, underlying conditions such as liver disease, use of estrogen medications or steroids have been linked to gynecomastia, and it is prudent to rule out these potential causes. Should a medical problem be detected, you will be referred to an appropriate specialist.
Depending upon the degree of fat and glandular tissue involved, we will discuss the best surgical approach for you and answer any of your questions.

The Operating Room

  • You will meet the surgical team
  • Everything will be explained
  • Monitors and intravenous lines placed before you go to sleep
  • Heating unit given to keep you warm and stable

The Operating Room – Body Contouring / Body Lift Surgical Procedure

  • State of the Art operating room
    • Operating table and set up specialized for bariatric patients
    • Meets and exceeds hospital criteria Safety Considerations
  • Your safety is of paramount importance to us
    • You will go through multiple layers of checks to ensure you ready for body contouring surgery
    • Our facility possess state of the art equipment which is checked on a regular basis to ensure it functioning at 100%

Your safety is our number one priority. Therefore, when you decide to go ahead with surgery, you will be evaluated by our team, and you will undergo various tests.
Patient screening
Operating Room procedures
Our operating room team is a vital part of the process
Trained nursing staff and assistants
Several monitoring devices to ensure your safety during the surgery
All monitors routinely checked to safety and accuracy
All equipment regularly rechecked
Facility meets and exceeds hospital standards

Pain Management

  • Post-Surgical pain is normal and is usually significant during the first 48 hours
  • Pain pumps placed during surgery to deliver pain medication directly into the wound
    • Greatly reduces your discomfort
    • Allows us you to go home the same day

Recovery Room

  • State of the art monitoring equipment
  • Intensive care unit and ER trained nurses
  • Intravenous fluids and medication to keep you pain-free while you recover
  • When deemed safe, you will be allowed to leave
    • All instructions explained and given to caregiver
    • Emergency contact numbers given to caregiver
    • Your surgeon will call you in the evening

After the Procedure

  • Restricted physical activity
    • Walking is strongly encouraged, but vigorous physical activity should be avoided for 6 weeks
  • Swelling and bruising will resolve after 4 weeks
    • You won’t see the final results until 3 months after surgery
  • Most can return to office jobs after one week

Drainage tubes are inserted, which will require personal home care for up to two weeks. Compression garment to wear at all times except while bathing, which you should keep wearing until your doctor lets you know it is no longer needed. Dressings are generally removed two days after surgery and showering is allowed at that time.
Restrictions on your activities could include no exercise and no lifting of five pounds or more. Walking is encouraged after surgery; however, further exercise is not recommended until sufficient healing has occurred. Most people require four to six weeks’ recovery before returning to normal activities, and generally from six to eight weeks before exercising. There cannot be any pressure placed on the treated area. Approximately 75 percent of the swelling dissipates at six weeks and 90 percent at three months.

Return to Clinic

  • Return the following day for assessment
    • Thorough examination
  • You return to the clinic on a regular basis to monitor your recovery

If you have any concerns you can just call in and we arrange to see you right away

Conclusion

toronto body controuring
  • Losing weight will make you live longer, feel better and healthier
  • Do not let concerns about your appearance after weight loss stop you from loosing the excess weight
  • We CAN help you achieve a slim looking body
  • Realistic expectations are important

Massive Weight Loss is a life-changing event, but many of you will be left with unsightly excess skin that interferes with comfort, and can lead to medical problems such as back strain, skin irritation, infection, and breakdown. The skin excess also leads to functional limitation with walking, maintaining adequate hygiene, bowel and bladder habits and sexual activity. The redundant skin can serve as a daily remainder of the morbid obesity and prevent you from adopting a more positive body image. For many, body contouring completes the journey from obesity and can have just as profound an effect on your lives as the weight loss itself. For these people restoring their body image through reshaping procedures is an integral part of completing the treatment massive obesity.

Read on to:

Complications and risk of body contouring