Loose Skin Removal
Losing weight or having a baby are, indeed, worthy of celebration. But for some, the extra skin does not shed with the extra pounds, resulting in unsightly, cumbersome folds of skin. With aging, the skin tends to lose some of its youthful stretch, which can become especially apparent after a drastic weight loss over a short period of time. Although simple measures, such as exercise and daily moisturizing, can add to your skin's elasticity, more serious cases may require cosmetic surgical and non-surgical procedures to remove all of the excess skin.
Body Contouring
Get rid of saggy skin permanently with body contouring, also known as a body lift. With body contouring, the surgeon makes an incision in the abdomen, allowing him or her to lift and tighten arms, thighs, the stomach and other affected areas of the body during the procedure. Excess fat is liposuctioned to improve your body's shape further. Body lifts help gives patients smooth, healthy and natural-looking skin that, in most cases, lasts permanently. But the surgery does involve some scarring, and multiple surgeries may be required to achieve a certain firmness level.
The best candidates for this type of surgery have stabilized their weight and follow a regular diet and fitness regimen. Also, considering risks such as internal bleeding, infection and excess fluid buildup associated with the surgery, candidates should be in good enough health to undergo surgery; patients with a higher BMI (Body Mass Index) are at a higher risk for complications. Body lifts are recommended to women who don't plan to have any more children, as childbirth may undo some of the effects of the procedure.
Thermage
Firm up skin with Thermage, a non-surgical treatment that uses radiofrequency technology to tighten skin. During the Thermage procedure, a device emits high-frequency radio waves into the skin to stimulate production of collagen, the protein that gives skin its elasticity.
Thermage patients typically notice firmer skin within 8 to 12 weeks of the initial procedure, though some notice immediate improvements. Because Thermage is non-invasive, patients don't have to contend with scarring or hospital stays. Some patients experience redness, swelling or bruising, but these side effects are typically mild and usually fade within a few hours or days.
VelaShape/VelaSmooth
Use cellulite-busting systems such as VelaShape or VelaSmooth to make skin taut again. These systems use heat energy and light waves to contract tissues, creating skin that is firmer, more toned and more elastic. Like Thermage, VelaShape and VelaSmooth are non-invasive, non-surgical procedures that carry very few side effects; however, some patients complain of slight bruising, swelling and blistering after the procedure.
