American Society of Plastic Surgeons
For Medical Professionals
 

Body Contouring

Skin Removal After Major Weight Loss

Body contouring helps with skin removal after major weight loss. This surgery improves the tone of underlying tissue and removes excess fat and skin.

What words should I know about body contouring?

Areola

Pigmented skin surrounding the nipple.

Arm lift

A surgical procedure, also known as brachioplasty, to correct sagging of the upper arms.

Breast implants

Medical device placed in your body to enhance an existing breast size or to reconstruct your breast. Breast implants can be filled with either salt water (saline) or silicone (gel).

Breast lift

A surgical procedure also known as mastopexy, to lift the breasts.

Breast contouring

A surgical procedure following massive weight loss to improve shape and tone and remove excess skin and fat.

Circumferential incision

A surgical incision around the body to remove a "belt" of excess skin and fat and additional incisions that may resemble a bikini bottom pattern.

General anesthesia

Medications that are inhaled and/or given by inspection into a vein used during an operation to relieve pain and alter consciousness.

Gynecomastia

A condition of over-developed or enlarged breasts in men that can occur at any age and may be the result of hormonal changes, heredity, obesity or the use of certain drugs.

Hematoma

Blood pooling beneath the skin.

Intravenous sedation

Sedatives administered by injection into a vein to help you relax.

Local anesthesia

A drug injected directly to the site of an incision during an operation to relieve pain.

Lower body lift

A surgical procedure to correct sagging of the abdomen, buttocks, groin and outer thighs.

Medial thigh lift

A surgical procedure to correct sagging of the inner thigh.

Outer thigh lift

A surgical procedure to correct sagging of the outer and mid-thigh.

Sutures

Stitches used by surgeons to hold skin and tissue together.



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