The effects of ageing, gravity, weight gain, weight loss and motherhood, can take its toll one’s body contour. This may be a combination of skin and fat excess and lax muscle tone and usually presents in the abdomen, breasts, arms and thighs.

Body contouring surgery helps to restore contour by:

• Excising redundant loose tissue (skin and fat)

• Lifting tissues which have descended

• Tightening lax muscles to improve its tone 

• Removing fat bulges by liposuction

• Restoring volume deflated areas are with fat grafts

Body contouring surgery is generally considered cosmetic. 

However, patients who have undergone bariatric surgery for medical reasons and develop functional issues from massive weight loss such as difficulty with hygiene and getting around, may be considered medical. At the point of writing, abdominoplasties and mastopexies may be claimed from Medisave and insurance, but it is best to seek prior approval, which your plastic surgeon can help you with. 

Patients are at risk of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, which we try to minimise with the use of calf pumps and early mobilisation. There is also a small risk of heart attacks and strokes.

There may be bleeding, infection, fluid collection and wound healing problems. Some patients who have had bariatric surgery are at risk of nutritional deficiencies. 

Patients may experience numbness, swelling, hypertrophic, widened or sensitive scars. There may be asymmetry and contour irregularities which may be addressed through revision procedures.

Body contouring surgery includes abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), body lift, thigh lift, arm lift, mastopexy.   

Body contouring surgery is a life changing surgery which motivates a massive weight loss patient to maintain a healthy lifestyle. It is a specialized surgery and patients should look for a Singapore Association of Plastic Surgeons (SAPS) certified plastic surgeon who is proficient in body contouring surgery.