Body sculpting: Surgeon weighs in on post-weight loss, post-pregnancy and aesthetic procedures

WITH new and effective weight-loss methods and diets popping up by the month and enjoyable forms of exercise like Zumba becoming more popular, people are losing weight like never before.

However, after the weight loss, there are some additional issues, such as excess skin and stretch marks, that can make people who have achieved major weight loss feel demotivated. Weight loss can cause stretch marks and extra skin folds on your lower stomach, thighs, arms, chin and breasts. However, another body-transformation trend that has gained popularity – body sculpting – seems to take care of those additional issues that follow major weight loss. Body contouring, also known as body sculpting, is a surgical procedure that removes the loose skin that is left after weight loss and is said to improve the shape and tone of your body’s tissue. But does it really work, and is it worth it?

Dr Nombulelo Metuse, who is a South African surgeon, who has a special interest in Cosmetics, Aesthetics, and Craniofacial Plastic Surgery, looked into this issue to shed light on body sculpting and if it is the best method of toning your body after massive weight loss, after pregnancy or for aesthetics purposes.

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According to Metuse, leading a healthy lifestyle not only impacts physical health but also mental health, and part of that sense of well-being is feeling comfortable and happy with your body aesthetically, too.

“While there are a number of things each of us need to do in order to look and feel our best, many people – women, men and younger patients, too, in extreme cases – are turning to body sculpting to help them achieve their desired look. Body sculpting, or body contouring, is a cosmetic procedure that reshapes or alters the appearance of a person’s body and can be used to target areas of fat, skin, or muscle that are unresponsive to diet and exercise, or in some cases, for those who have worked really hard to lose surplus weight but are left with the aftereffects of a massive physical change which can include things like excess skin,” said Metuse.

Body-sculpting procedures after massive weight loss

The plastic and reconstructive surgeon says massive weight loss is an incredible accomplishment that requires immense commitment and dedication, however, the journey is often incomplete without plastic surgery to minimise the sometimes unavoidable physical aftereffects.

“Individuals who have lost a significant amount of weight may experience loose skin, residual fat, and other issues that require additional medical intervention. Plastic surgery can assist in alleviating these issues and help individuals who have successfully lost weight feel more confident in their appearance,” said Metuse.

“The massive weight loss journey is a long one and can involve multiple surgeries, but to safeguard the patient’s health and mental well-being, each patient must undergo an in-depth assessment which addresses each individual’s particular set of needs and circumstances,” she said.

Metuse says that when meeting with a patient for the first time, it is important to assess the psychological aspect as she believes it is important to treat the root of the problem before performing surgery.

“For example, if overeating/comfort-eating is the cause of weight gain, we must first address why the patient is self-medicating with food. It would be irresponsible to perform body-sculpting surgery if there was a high possibility of the patient regaining all the excess weight again after body-sculpting surgery because the proper psychological assessments and therapies were not carried out,” she said.

Weight-loss options before surgery

Metuse says it is vital that patients work on getting rid of unwanted body weight before surgery, and fortunately, there are plenty of options to help achieve massive weight loss before undertaking a procedure.

“The healthiest and most effective option is a combination of diet and exercise. By following a diet of healthy food choices and committing to regular physical activity, you can burn fat, build muscle, and start to see real results. There are countless nutrition plans and exercise regimes to choose from, so it’s important to find one that works for you and your lifestyle that will be sustainable,” she said.

“Another option for clinically obese patients is a medical weight-loss programme. These programmes are often supervised by a medical professional or nutritionist who can provide an individualised eating and exercise plan that takes into account the patient’s lifestyle, medical history, and other factors. This can include dietary counselling, prescription medications, and other treatments to help them reach their weight-loss goals,” said Metuse.

Bariatric surgery

Metuse says this type of surgery can help a patient lose a significant amount of weight quickly, but it’s important to understand the risks and potential complications associated with the procedure. [Note that bariatric surgery can come with major health risks, for example, dumping syndrome, which is a group of symptoms, such as diarrhoea, nausea, and feeling light-headed or tired after a meal, that is caused by rapid gastric emptying; low blood sugar; malnutrition; vomiting; ulcers; bowel obstruction; hernias and gallstones.]

“Post-bariatric cosmetic surgery is not a substitute for healthy lifestyle habits, such as a balanced diet and regular exercise. Bariatric surgery is designed to help people who are severely overweight or obese. It involves reducing the size of the stomach and intestines, and sometimes, bypassing part of the small intestine. This helps people to eat less and absorb fewer calories, leading to weight loss. Bariatric surgery can also help reduce the risk of developing certain health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease,” she said.

The surgeon says that post-bariatric cosmetic surgery can help to improve body shape and contour, and also boost self-confidence, it can also help to reduce skin sagging, which is a common side effect of weight loss and can include facial procedures such as neck lifts or eyelid lifts.

“Overall, bariatric surgery and post-bariatric cosmetic surgery can be a great way to improve your health and physical appearance. If you are considering this type of surgery, it is important to discuss your options with a qualified and experienced plastic surgeon,” said Metuse.

Additionally, Metuse says that body sculpting can also be useful in addressing issues that are not directly related to diet; for instance, many people suffer from excess skin following pregnancy. “For the most part, body sculpting can be used to improve the patient’s overall appearance through various procedures, like liposuction, which will alleviate cellulite, lift breasts or thighs and reduce sagging underarm skin,” she said.

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Loose skin removal

Meuse says loose skin can occur as a result of extreme weight loss, and it can be particularly bothersome due to its visibility. “Loose skin can be removed through a variety of methods, such as abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), Brachioplasty (arm lift), and thigh lift. The procedure will vary depending on the individual and their needs,” she said.

Breast and thigh lift

Metuse says that after weight loss, the breasts and thighs may hang lower than previously due to the loss of body fat. “These procedures are designed to restore sagging breasts and reshape the thighs by reducing excess skin, and in some cases fat, resulting in smoother skin and better-proportioned contours,” she said.

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