Body Contouring Minneapolis and St. Paul
Excess, loose skin in any part of your body can cause you to feel self-conscious and uncomfortable. Loose skin may also interfere with activities, such as exercise when it gets in the way of certain movements. Body contouring, also known as a body lift, is a surgical procedure that can dramatically improve your shape; it is most often performed to remove excess skin and fat tissue that may remain after substantial weight loss or from the effects of aging. If you have sagging, unsightly skin on your body, whether it is around your abdomen, thighs, groin area, or upper arms, Dr. Landis can help!
Dr. Landis is a Board-Certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience and a keen sense of aesthetics who is dedicated to forming a partnership with you to help you achieve your goals. He has decades of experience and has helped hundreds of patients to feel great about their bodies.
Meet Dr. Landis
Dr. Landis offers knowledge, experience, and high ethical standards of medical excellence and professionalism. Together we can build a partnership to achieve your optimal aesthetic results while improving your self image and quality of life.
Who is a Good Candidate for a Body Contouring?
Anyone who is unhappy with the shape and tone of their skin in parts of their body may consider body contouring surgery. In general, body contouring can help remove excess skin in common problem areas for those who have lost weight or skin elasticity due to pregnancy or aging: upper arms, around the abdomen and groin area, the buttocks, and around the thighs and knees. The body lift will remove excess skin and improve the shape and tone of the underlying tissue. The end result of the procedure is a re-contouring of the target area; irregular, dimpled texture of the skin can also be improved. Body contouring procedures may be performed on adults of any age who have realistic goals in mind for improving their shape.
Body lifts are not intended only for the removal of excess fat. In fact, body contouring surgery is most appropriate for people who are near their ideal weight and are not expecting large fluctuations in their size. If you have lost weight but expect further significant weight loss, you should probably wait for body contouring procedures until you are closer to your target weight. Additionally, women who intend to become pregnant in the future should consider postponing their body contouring procedure until after childbirth, as pregnancy may diminish the results of the surgery. A thorough consultation with Dr. Landis can help you to decide whether you should proceed with the surgery and when the time is right for your body lift.
How is Body Contouring Performed?
Dr. Landis strives to make sure each patient is fully informed and engaged throughout their surgery process. When you come in for your consultation, you will meet personally with Dr. Landis to discuss your goals. He will perform a thorough exam and review your past medical records. Using your input and information obtained during these activities, Dr. Landis will devise a plan for the surgery that will best address your aesthetic goals. He will also answer any questions and address any concerns you may have about your procedure. His goal is to ensure your total comfort with your decision to have body contouring surgery.
We work hard in our practice to ensure that patients feel completely satisfied with their procedures. Dr. Landis cares for and collaborates with his patients so they can make well-informed choices to achieve the best results possible and have a comfortable experience from the moment they walk in the door, through the surgery, to recovery and beyond.
Meet Dr. Landis
Dr. Landis offers knowledge, experience, and high ethical standards of medical excellence and professionalism. Together we can build a partnership to achieve your optimal aesthetic results while improving your self image and quality of life.
What Are the Recovery Steps?
Prior to surgery, Dr. Landis will meet with you to address any last questions you may have; he will also likely make some markings on your body to help guide him during the re-contouring process. Body contouring is a surgical procedure that requires general anesthesia. Once you are under anesthesia, Dr. Landis will make incisions, usually along the natural folds of your skin. He always places incisions in such a way as to minimize post-surgical scars.
Through your incisions, Dr. Landis will remove excess skin and use liposuction to get rid of unwanted fat deposits. The combined removal of skin and fatty tissue will allow Dr. Landis to create a new shape, expertly designed to fit the natural architecture of your body and remarkable improve your silhouette. Once the desired contour is created, Dr. Landis will close the incisions with sutures and apply dressings and a compression garment to cover the treated area.
This surgery can last between 2-5 hours, depending on the extent of the skin and fat removal and the number of areas that are being treated.
How Can I Prepare For My Surgery?
The best way to prepare yourself for any plastic surgery is to be well-informed about what to expect both during and after the procedure. You will discover the information you need during your consultation with Dr. Landis and through working with his knowledgeable staff prior to surgery.
Before the day of your surgery, you will get clear instructions about what to expect from your procedure as well as prescriptions for medications you might need during recovery. You can get these prescriptions filled prior to the day of surgery so that you have what you need at home. You may also want to pick up supplies you may need and make any necessary arrangements for someone to be home to help you for a few days after you come home from surgery. Finally, it is important to choose healthy, nourishing foods that will support your body during the healing process. We can discuss the many ways you can be proactive in your healing when you come in for your appointment.
View Before and After Gallery
Be sure to view our Before and After Photo Gallery of procedures to see real patient results performed at Landis Plastic Surgery.
What Can I Expect During Recovery and Beyond?
Most of the surgeries are performed allow you to recover in the comfort of your own home. We do have an affordable recovery facility on site that allows you spend the night with nursing supervision and you may then go home the following day. When you come home you will have a compression garment in place that you will wear for the next 6 weeks. This compression garment will help to support your body as you heal and minimize post-surgical swelling and discomfort. You will be quite sore and should expect to rest for a few days after surgery, and you will likely need help at home during this time. Dr. Landis will prescribe pain medication that will enhance your comfort for the first several days.
You will be asked to get up and walk with assistance the day after your surgery, and you will need to walk some each day. You will gradually feel better as you heal and can increase your activities over the next weeks. Dr. Landis will give you specific directions regarding your post-surgical restrictions and care guidelines before you leave the hospital. It is important that you follow these guidelines to support your own healing and get the best possible results from your surgery.
Results from body contouring surgery are immediately noticeable. However, as healing takes place over several weeks and months, your tissue will gradually settle into position and swelling will subside, so it can be several weeks before your final results are visible. The surgical incisions will create scars that will gradually fade over time but won’t completely disappear. However, patients are generally happy to accept these scars as a welcomed trade-off for the loose, hanging skin they once had.
Body Contouring Minnesota FAQs
Ideal candidates for body contouring surgery are individuals who have lost a substantial amount of weight, have excess skin and fat, and are in good overall health. Candidates should also have realistic expectations about the outcomes.
There is no strict age limit, but candidates should be in good health. Dr. Landis will assess your situation and make recommendations based on your health and goals.
Dr. Landis recommends you reach a stable weight and maintain it for several months before undergoing body lift surgery. He can guide you on the ideal time to proceed.
Recovery time varies depending on the type and extent of the surgery. Typically, you can expect to require a few weeks to return to most daily activities, but full recovery may take several months.
Scarring is inevitable, but Dr. Landis will make efforts to minimize it. Scars will generally fade and become less noticeable over time. They can often be concealed with clothing or makeup.
Some discomfort is common after surgery, but pain is managed with prescribed medications. Most patients find the benefits of the surgery outweigh the temporary discomfort.
The cost varies depending on factors like the procedure type and the extent of your procedure. It can range from a few thousand to several thousand dollars on average. Ask about our financing options, if necessary.
In most cases, insurance does not cover body contouring surgery as it’s considered elective. However, exceptions may apply, such as when the procedure is medically necessary.
Like all surgeries, there are risks involved, including infection, scarring, hematoma, and adverse reactions to anesthesia. It’s important to discuss these risks with your surgeon during the consultation.
Results are long-lasting but can be affected by aging, weight fluctuations, and lifestyle choices. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help prolong the benefits of these procedures.
Combining procedures is possible and can often save you recovery time and costs. Discuss your options with Dr. Landis to determine the best approach.
The ideal time for a body lift is typically after reaching your weight loss goals and maintaining your weight for at least six months to a year. This ensures your body has stabilized.
Look for a board-certified plastic surgeon with experience in body contouring and body lift procedures. Research their credentials, view before and after photos, and read patient reviews.
Yes, it’s possible to have children after these procedures. However, waiting until you’ve completed your family is generally recommended, as pregnancy can affect the results.
While a tummy tuck primarily addresses the abdomen, a body lift targets the lower body, including the abdomen, thighs, and buttocks. The choice depends on your specific needs.
You will discuss your goals, medical history, and Dr. Landis’ recommendations during the consultation. It’s also an opportunity to ask questions and address concerns.