Changes in the body over time-particularly following significant weight loss-may create a need to reshape different areas of the body.
It is important to understand that body contouring procedures are not intended for weight loss, but rather for improving the body’s contours after weight loss or significant changes in body structure.
For this reason, these procedures are typically performed only once body weight has been stable for a prolonged period and when tissue conditions are expected to remain stable following surgery.
Body Contouring in the Era of GLP-1 Medications
In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the use of weight-loss medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy, and other GLP-1 agonists.
These medications allow many patients to achieve substantial weight loss, sometimes within a relatively short time.
However, significant weight loss may result in excess skin, loss of tissue volume, and laxity of the skin and soft tissues. These changes cannot usually be corrected through additional weight loss or exercise alone.
As a result, many patients who have successfully lost weight with these medications later seek surgical procedures to reshape the body.
Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)
The abdominal region undergoes many changes over time due to pregnancy, major weight fluctuations, lack of physical activity, or previous abdominal surgeries.
These changes may lead to excess skin and fat, weakening of the abdominal wall, and separation of the rectus muscles (rectus diastasis).
In these situations, abdominoplasty can be performed.
The procedure may include: liposuction of the abdomen and waist, tightening of the abdominal muscle fascia, removal of excess skin and fat, repositioning of the umbilicus. In certain cases, particularly after major weight loss, circumferential body lifting may be required to address the back and buttocks as well.
Arm and Thigh Contouring
Other areas affected by weight loss and tissue laxity include the arms and inner and outer thighs.
In such cases, a combination of liposuction and skin tightening procedures may be performed.
The surgical technique and placement of scars are determined after a thorough examination of the patient’s body structure, skin quality, and expectations.
Prof. Gronovich performs body contouring procedures using advanced surgical techniques designed to achieve natural body proportions while placing scars as discreetly as possible.
Careful alignment of expectations and understanding the patient’s goals are central elements in achieving optimal results.
What is your challenge?
You should understand that body contouring procedures are not intended for additional weight loss, but rather for improving the body’s shape after weight reduction.
Particularly after significant weight loss-sometimes following treatment with GLP-1 medications-it is important to wait until weight has stabilized before undergoing surgery.
Following surgery, the tissues require time to settle and scars need time to soften, so patience is an important part of the process.
In many cases, achieving the best possible result may require more than one surgical stage to refine the tissues.
