Body Contouring » Post – Weight Loss Reconstruction in Toronto

« The Shrunken Body »

Weight Loss

Diet and exercise
Bariatric Surgery – A very effective treatment for delivering significant weight loss

Bariatric surgery appears to be the most effective treatment for extreme obesity.
In US last year over 66 thousand American underwent body contouring surgeries following weight loss associated with bariatric surgery.

Large Weight Loss

Weight loss >50%
Improvement in health-related quality of life

- Longer, healthier, more active life
- Improvement or resolution of many weight related illnesses
Massive weight loss following bariatric surgery or diet and exercise can often result in significant improvements not only in health status but also in overall lifestyle. The resulting redundant skin, however, may itself present new and unanticipated problems, both physical and psychological

Body Shrinkage

Loss of fat but retention of some of the excess skin

–Shrunken appearance
–New folds/rolls show where there were

Body Shrinkage

Loss of fat but retention of some of the excess skin
- Shrunken appearance
- New folds/rolls show where there were none before

Body Shrinkage After Weight Loss

Thighs

Significant Weight Loss

>2/3 of patients consider the development of excess skin to be a undesirable consequence of surgery
This dissatisfaction motivates them to seek Body Contouring surgeries

Body Contouring – Reshaping the Shrunken Body

Body Contouring

Surgical reshaping of specific body areas to achieve a more aesthetically pleasing contour
It is a process rather than a one time event
TRADE EXCESS SKIN FOR SCARS

Body Contouring

Perfection is not the goal
We can help you achieve a body you can be proud of

Surgical Procedures

Body lift procedures
- Surgical procedures for excision of excess skin and fat
- Tightening of existing skin and muscles
- Recreation of a youthful healthy appearance
Thinning and molding of your body into one that is more representative of your existing weight

Body contouring procedures for bariatric patients evolved from similar procedures for cosmetic patients. Several operations have been designed and perfected to address the needs of these patients. These include breast, thigh and lower body lift, abdominoplasty, face and neck lifts as well as brachioplasty or arm lift. Recognizing that there is a qualitative as well as a quantitative difference in the type and amount of tissues in postbariatric patients these techniques have been suitably refined to optimize outcomes and provide safe and durable re-contouring. Consequently, bariatric surgery and the subsequent weight loss require an additional 2-3 years commitment towards body contouring procedures. Restoring their body image through reshaping procedures is an integral part of completing the treatment of post-weight-loss patients.
Bariatric patients are unique, special adjustments are needed. Not any plastic surgeon is able to properly perform this procedure.

Tummy Tuck

Abdomen
- Loose hanging skin
- Hygiene problems under the skin fold
Procedure
- Remove excess skin and fat in the abdominal region
- Tightens abdominal wall
- Shapes abdomen and waist

Tummy Tuck

Belly Button

Belly Button
- Stretched and displaced downward
Reconstruction
- Belly button is elevated
- It’s stretched sized is reduced
- Performed during tummy tuck

Arm Lift

Arms
- Loose hanging skin when arms elevated
Arm lift
- skin, leaving a scar on the inner side of the arm

Breast Lift

Breast
- -Reduced projection
- -Flattening
- -Nipples and breast fold descend
Breast lift
- -Reshaping of breast to place the nipple into a better position and to recreate a youthful breast shape

For women who are also seeking to improve the shape, size, symmetry or proportion of their breasts, breast augmentation may be performed concurrently if desired.
Some degree of asymmetry almost always occurs, and more than one procedure is frequently required

Breast Lift with Implants

Reshaping by a breast lift can be combined with an implant placement
- If fuller and larger breasts are desired

Sides and Back

Once breasts have been addressed, sides and back become obvious
Reshaping via excision can be combined with arm or breast lifts

Male Breasts

Male breasts shrink similarly to female breasts
Male breasts treated with removal of excess skin and repositioning of nipple/areola

The technique to treat the male breast for MWL patients is very similar to the female reduction techniques.

Thigh Lift

Residual thigh skin most prominent in the region between legs
Treated with a skin lift and excision of excess skin

Buttock Lift

Buttock
- Flattened, lacking definition and curvature

Buttock Lift
- ‘Pull up’ on buttock skin

Combination Procedures

Multiple procedures combined
- Possible in patients close to ideal weight and in good health
- Lower Body Lift
  - Tummy tuck, thigh lift, buttock lift
- Upper Body Lift
  - Arms, breast +/-inner thigh lift
- Mid Body Lift
  - Tummy tuck, breast lift

Multiple procedures are commonly combined in body-contouring procedures. However, only patients close to their ideal weight and in good health should be considered for multiple procedures. Other patients should be treated in stages for maximum safety.

Combination of
- Tummy tuck
- Buttock lift +/- augmentation
- Outer thigh lift

For patients with significant circumferential trunk excess which cannot be corrected by tummy tuck alone Goals of Lower Body Contouring
Flattening of the abdomen
Recreation of the belly button
Elevation of the pubic area
Creation of a waist in females
Definition of buttocks
Lifting of inner and outer thighs