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Reaching your goal weight is a rewarding achievement. Whether you did it through diet and exercise or bariatric surgery, after losing a great deal of weight, you may be disheartened to find you have a lot of loose, sagging skin left behind.

You may want to consider some post-weight loss body contouring as part of your health and fitness journey. The key to this part of your journey is to base your planning for this procedure on five factors that will maximize your results.

Am I a Good Candidate for Body Contouring?

To be a good candidate for body contouring, you should have reached your goal weight and be committed to maintaining it. Patients who have reached their target weight and no longer anticipate much weight loss benefit the most from body contouring procedures.

Am I Able to Maintain a Stable Weight?

By following a healthy diet and exercise program, you must maintain a steady weight before moving forward with body contouring surgery. Large weight fluctuations can undermine your results and may even increase the risk of complications during or after your body contouring procedure.

Am I in Overall Good Health?

If you are generally in good health and can maintain a stable weight, your body contouring after weight loss promises to succeed with long-lasting results. However, if you’re adjusting to a new diet plan following recent bariatric surgery, you may want to give your body some time to adjust before you schedule your body contouring surgery.

Additionally, as you get used to your new healthy eating habits, make sure that you’re fueling your body with the nutrients your body needs to heal and recover properly.

Are My Goals Realistic?

Make sure you have realistic expectations for your results. While surgery can improve your overall appearance, keep in mind that every patient heals differently and with varying results. Talk to Dr. Livingston what you can expect.

Have I Consulted a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon?

If you’re confident that you’re at a good place on your weight loss journey and want to start planning for body contouring, the first step is to consult with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Christopher K. Livingston. He can help you plan the most appropriate body contouring timeline for your particular situation, as well as explain your options to help you decide which procedures might be right for you.

When considering which body contouring options are best for you, these are the typical surgical options available:

• A tummy tuckremoves the excess skin and tissue from the abdomen while tightening the abdominal muscles.
• A thigh lift eliminates the excess skin and tissue from the thighs.
• A breast liftremoves the excess skin and tissue from the breasts. It also lifts and reshapes the breasts, so they look youthful and firm again.
• A faceliftremoves the surplus tissue and skin from the jawline and tightens the muscles of the face.

Contact Us If You’re Thinking About Body Contouring

The best way to achieve your goals is to discuss your plans with Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Christopher K. Livingston. He and his team of experts at Livingston Plastic Surgery are highly skilled at guiding people through this journey from the beginning to the end. Contact our Houston, TX office today at (281) 501-1812 to schedule your consultation!