Extremity contouring and lifts are procedures designed to remove the excess skin and fat of the arms and legs. Liposuction is incorporated in this operation to obtain ideal results by contouring and shaping the extremity in areas that need fat removal. An Extremity-lift is performed when the skin has lost its ability to contract after massive weight fluctuations. In some people it may be due to genetic predisposition for having loose skin. In this surgery the plastic surgeon removes the loose skin and fat from the arms or thighs so as to improve the shape and to make the skin tighter and more youthful. Thigh-lift is almost always limited to the upper thigh, although in some circumstances it may extend below the knee. The extent of an arm lift can also vary. Most are amenable to liposuction and minor lifts in the armpit, however at times it may be necessary to extend the excision of skin to the elbow.

Extremity contouring and lifts can benefit both men and women. Men who have had large amounts of weight loss or who have folds of excess skin in the extremities may also benefit from this surgery. It must be remembered that individuals who have excess skin may also suffer from excess fatty tissue in the same areas. This operation is not a substitute for more conventional methods of weight loss such as dieting and exercise. However certain individuals are unable to eliminate this fat by using normal measures and for these individuals extremity contouring can provide a means to achieve this goal.

Extremity contouring is best thought as a spectrum of surgical procedures that can be tailored to meet your specific need. Not every person requires an extensive skin excision. In certain situations after losing large amounts of weight the skin is able to retract considerably making the need for skin excision unnecessary. However beyond a certain amount of stretch, the skin looses this elastic potential and it may not retract to conform to the new shape of the body. The degree of skin redundancy will determine the length of the scar. If there is minimal skin redundancy the scars may be very short and well hidden. On the other hand where there is significant amount of skin excess the scars may be long and conspicuous. Only your Plastic Surgeon can tell you how extensive the scars will be. Extremity lift is often combined with liposuction (fat removal) enabling the surgeon to enhance the end result of surgery and to put finishing touches where necessary. In individuals who do not have sufficient bulk in their arm or calf muscles, implants may be placed under the skin in order give the extremity better proportion and muscular definition.

The operation is done under general anesthesia or regional anesthesia and sedation. After surgery you may go home. Some patients however prefer to be admitted to the hospital for a day or two of observation depending on the extent of skin removal. If a more simple extremity contouring was performed postoperative observation is usually not necessary. Swelling and discoloration from the surgery will depend on the extent of the procedure but generally most of it will be gone in a week or two. You will be able to return to most usual activities by the end of the first week and resume strenuous exercise in a few weeks. A support garment is recommended for approximately four weeks to ensure proper healing. Minor changes in sensation are usual for a short period after surgery.

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