Body Contouring After Weight Loss in Plano, TX

As a specialist in breast and body contouring surgery, Dr. Friedman in Plano, Texas is very experienced in treating patients following postbariatric weight loss. He recommends that you be within 5% of your desired final body weight before undergoing excisional body contouring. Why? Significant further weight loss after surgery may result in recurrent skin excess.

Regardless of whether surgery is performed on the arms, thighs, abdomen or breasts, the same tissue layers must be addressed:

• Skin: Properly performed, excisional body contouring involves more than just skin removal. Poor quality, inelastic skin is notoriously poor at holding its shape following surgery. Deeper, stronger structures must be moved for surgery to be effective (see below).
• Fat: If there is residual excess fat, this may be removed with the overlying excess skin and/or reduced by liposuction.
• Fascia: Fascia is a firm, fibrous layer of tissue under the skin and superficial fat. The fascia must be tightened to provide lasting surgical results.

Dr. Friedman performs all of these procedures under general anesthesia. The procedures are performed in his AAAASF-accredited surgical facility, the West Plano Plastic Surgery Center, which is located on the campus of Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital of Plano, Texas. He strictly uses physicians—not nurses or technicians—to administer your anesthesia. Depending upon your general health and the magnitude of your planned surgery, you may require an overnight stay.

Patient desires and anatomy differ significantly, so there is no single recommended procedure or set of procedures for all weight loss patients. However, Dr. Friedman suggests the following considerations:

1. Safety should be your—and your surgeon’s–highest priority.
   Many postbariatric patients have diabetes, hypertension, or sleep apnea. Dr. Friedman may recommend preoperative lab studies and, if necessary, medical clearance from your internist or family physician. He may caution you against doing too many procedures at one time. If a surgeon recommends head-to-toe surgery at once, take a step back and ask yourself, “Is he looking out for my best interests—or his?” We want you to look great after surgery. But first and foremost, we want you to be safe.
2. Treat the areas that bother you the most first.
   You may want to have a breast lift, thigh lift, buttock lift, arm lift, and thigh lift. However, it may not be realistic from a safety standpoint or a financial standpoint to have all of these done at once. Start with the most troublesome area(s).
3. Don’t underestimate the effects of gravity.
   Procedures that pull things down (i.e. tummy tuck) are generally more effective than procedures that pull things up (i.e. thigh lift). A breast lift with implants defies gravity better than a breast lift alone. Set your expectations accordingly.
4. Consider working from the center (breasts, abdomen) out to the sides (arms, thighs).
   Simultaneous tummy tuck and breast surgery will generally provide the greatest improvement in appearance. In many patients, this is the best single combination of procedures to consider.
5. It may be cosmetic surgery, but it’s still surgery.
   Cosmetic surgery is not synonymous with minor surgery. These are major procedures with lengthy scars, significant recovery, and real risks. Make sure that your surgeon takes the time to personally discuss the surgical options, scars, anticipated recovery, and risks with you.