Consideration with Excess Skin

Excess skin following significant weight loss can present physical challenges for some individuals. These may include difficulty with physical activity, skin irritation or infections in skin folds, and challenges with maintaining hygiene in certain areas. In some cases, body contouring procedures such as tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), arm reduction or arm lift surgery (brachioplasty), a thigh lift (thighplasty), a body lift, or breast lift surgery (mastopexy) may be considered to address excess skin. Any potential benefits, including changes in comfort, mobility, or clothing fit, can vary between individuals and should be discussed with a qualified health practitioner.

Body Contouring Surgical Procedures

Body contouring refers to a group of surgical procedures that may be considered to alter the shape or proportions of specific areas of the body. These procedures can include the removal of excess skin and fat, or the use of surgical lifts or implants. The specific technique used will depend on individual circumstances and treatment goals, and should be discussed in detail with a qualified surgeon. Please note that body contouring surgical procedures should only be performed by qualified specialist plastic surgeons.

Body contouring procedures may include liposuction for the removal of fat and to address contouring, whilst excess skin is removed through procedures such as a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), arm reduction or arm lift surgery (brachioplasty), a thigh lift (thighplasty), a body lift, or breast lift Surgery (mastopexy). Implants can also be used to alter the body shape and appearance, with the most common procedure being breast augmentation (breast implants). These body contouring procedures generally aim to shape the waist, abdomen, upper torso, upper arms, thighs and buttocks.

Highly Personalised

Your requirements for body contouring surgery after weight loss will be unique to your situation and your weight loss experience. Each procedure is highly personalised and may not be suitable for everyone. When you meet with our surgical team, we will support you in making decisions about body contouring and the surgery that will yield the optimal outcome for you. We will assess your current weight and health goals and evaluate your general health, then plan the treatment that is best suited to your body.

Body Contouring Preparation

A general anaesthetic is usually necessary for all body contouring procedures. It is important that you talk with your surgeon and anaesthetist about any medications you are taking or have taken, and any allergies that affect you. Our specialists will consult you on any potential risks and complications of body contouring surgery, and advise on any details or issues you need to consider before and after surgery.

Our Specialist Plastic Surgeons

Any invasive surgery results in inevitable scarring. Our surgeons will place incisions along inconspicuous sites such as in natural skin lines and creases, which minimises scarring and helps any marks to fade over time. Revisional or additional body contouring surgery may sometimes be required to help you to achieve your desired result or to correct minor irregularities, depending on the extent of the procedure.

As a specialist plastic surgeon, Dr Turner has extensive expertise and experience in body contouring surgery and associated procedures, holding specialist consultant positions and operating at hospitals, and medical centres around Adelaide. Dr Turner and her team welcome you to make an appointment to talk through the range of body contouring surgical procedures that are available to you.

Read further information about body contouring surgery on the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons' website here