Body contouring following weight loss or pregnancy can have a profound impact on your quality of life according to a study published by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.
For this study, 112 body contouring patients were selected for quality of life measurements (QoL) before surgery and again at nine months. 84 of the study participants were reviewed once again at three years for long-term results.
The measurements for this QoL study were based on five self-reported factors: body satisfaction, self-esteem, sex life, social performance, and physical symptoms, and rated on a scale of 1, being completely dissatisfied to 100, being completely satisfied. The average quality of life score before surgery was 44. At nine months following surgery, that score had nearly doubled for a majority of patients with the average score reaching 85. By year three that number had stayed consistent in long-term study participants, averaging 84.
“QoL increases significantly after BCS. This favorable outcome remained stable throughout long-term follow-up and was true for the cosmetic and MWL cohorts.” -National Institutes of Health
Maximizing Results
Body contouring is permanent. Fat removed during procedures such as tummy tuck and liposuction cannot come back, nor will excess skin removed during abdomen sculpting with procedures like post weight loss body contouring or the mommy makeover procedure grow back. However, failure to care for your body following a cosmetic contouring procedure can undo everything your surgery accomplished. Fortunately, maintaining and even maximizing results is not incredibly difficult.
The board-certified plastic surgeons at Altos Oaks Plastic Surgery can remove excess skin and fat from targeted areas of your body to produce a smooth, toned, and contoured appearance. Keeping that appearance is up to you. Steps you can take to do so include:
- Eat well. Foods closest to their natural form and source are the most nutrient dense. Try to avoid added sugars and sodium. Choose foods that a fresh, whole, and lean. Focus on fruits, vegetables, and healthy proteins. Reduce your intake of alcohol, simple carbs, and snacks. Following U.S. Dietary Guidelines can help. So to can working with a licensed nutritionist.
- Do things. We often think of exercise as focused and intentional periods of intense training, but a brisk walk will do just fine. In fact, new exercise guidelines from the CDC suggest 10-minute micro workouts are just as effective, cumulatively, as less frequent but more intense workout sessions. The goal is 150 minutes of aerobic exercise weekly with at least two sessions spent working each major muscle group. If you are uncertain how to begin a workout routine, contact a personal trainer for support.
Maintaining results often requires little more than paying attention to what you eat and being a bit more active. Maximizing results simply requires more effort in those directions.
To maximize and continue to enhance your body contouring results, a more demanding exercise routine will be needed. As with any time you choose to enhance your frame through exercise, this may be something best overseen by a licensed personal trainer at a reputable gym. We can discuss this with you more during your time in our care.
Your body contouring procedure can help you start on the path towards a healthier, happier, and more satisfying life. Our plastic surgeons are here to provide you with honest and useful information to make sure you get the most out of your experience.
To schedule a consultation at our Los Altos office, please call 650-934-7020 today. Altos Oaks Plastic Surgery welcomes patients from Palo Alto, San Jose, and all surrounding communities.