From: "Procedure Information" <ProcedureInformation.tmcidpoyffhibbhubam@email.plasticsurgery.org>To: rebecca@drchao.com

Date: 4/18/2020 10:31:24 AMSubject: Body Contouring

Jerome Chao, MD, FACSCertified Plastic Surgery of NY, PLLC13 Century Hill Drive Latham, NY United StatesPhone: +1 (518) 203-2582

BODYCONTOURING

What Is Body Contouring?

Consultation & Preparing for Surgery

The Procedure

Risks & Safety

Recovery After Surgery / Results

Cost

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WHAT IS BODYCONTOURINGDramatic weight loss has many benefits. But after anysubstantial amount of weight loss, including weightloss after weight reduction surgery, the skin and tissuesoften lack the elasticity to conform to the reduced body size.

Surgical body contouring following major weight lossremoves excess sagging fat and skin while improving theshape of the underlying support tissue. The result is an

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improved appearance with smoother contours.

Is it right for me?Body contouring procedures may include:

Facelift, to address sagging of the mid-face, jowls andneckBreast lift, to addresssagging, flattened breastsTummy tuck, to address anapron of excess skinhanging over the abdomenLower body lifts, to addresssagging of the abdomen,buttocks, groin and outer thighsMedial thigh lift, to addresssagging of the inner, outerand mid thighBrachioplasty (arm lift), to addresssagging of the upperarms

In general, good candidates for body contouring are:Adults whose weight loss has stabilizedHealthy individuals without medical conditions thatimpair healing or increase risk of surgeryNon-smokersIndividuals with a positive outlook and realistic goalsIndividuals that are committed to leading a healthylifestyle with proper nutrition and fitness

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CONSULTATION &PREPARING FORSURGERYDuring your consultation, be prepared to discuss:

Why you want the surgery, your expectations, anddesired outcomeMedical conditions, drug allergies and previousmedical treatmentsCurrent medications, vitamins, herbal supplements,

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alcohol, tobacco and drug usePrevious surgeries

Your plastic surgeon will:Evaluate your general health and any preexistinghealth conditions or risk factorsExamine your body and take detailed measurementsTake photographs for your medical recordDiscuss your options and recommend a course oftreatmentDiscuss likely outcomes of body contouring and anyrisks or potential complications

Be sure to ask questions. It’s very important toask your plastic surgeon questions about yourbody contouring procedure. It’s natural to feelsome anxiety, whether it’s excitement for youranticipated new look or a bit of preoperativestress. Don’t be shy about discussing anyconcerns with your plastic surgeon.

Prior to surgery, you may be asked to:Get cleared for surgery by your bariatric surgeon orprimary care doctorGet a lab test

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Take certain medications or adjust your currentmedicationsStop smoking well in advance of surgeryAvoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs andherbal supplements as they can increase bleeding

Body contouring surgery should be performed in anaccredited office-based surgical facility, a licensedambulatory surgical center or hospital. If your bodycontouring is performed on an outpatient basis, be sure toarrange for someone to drive you to and from surgery andto stay with you for at least the first night following surgery.

THE PROCEDURE

The procedures necessary to achieve your goals will bedefined along with a plan for the timing of these procedures.Plastic surgery procedures that may be recommended byyour physician include:

Lower body lift: to correct sagging of the abdomen,buttocks, groin and outer thighsBreast lift: to correct sagging, flattened breastsArm lift: to correct sagging of the upper armsThigh lift: to correct sagging of the inner, outer and midthigh

Step 1 - AnesthesiaMedications are administered for your comfort during thesurgical procedures. The choices include intravenoussedation and general anesthesia. Your doctor will

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recommend the best choice for you.

Step 2 – The incisionAll body contouring procedures require large incisions toremove excess skin. In many cases, these incisions may beextensive. Incision length and pattern depend on theamount and location of excess skin to be removed, as wellas personal preference and your doctor’s surgical judgment.Advanced techniques usually allow incisions to be placed instrategic locations where they can be hidden by most typesof clothing, but this is not always the case.

Body contouring is often performed in stages.Your particular condition and goals, as well asyour plastic surgeon’s best judgment, will allinfluence how your doctor defines a surgicalplan. While it may have taken you two years ormore to lose all the excess weight, it may takeequally as long for the results of your bodycontouring to be complete.

Body LiftA complete lower body lift treats sagging buttocks,abdomen, waist, hips and outer thighs in one procedure.

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Incision patterns vary, and may include a circumferentialincision around the body to remove the “belt” of excess skinand fat.

THE PROCEDURE(Continued)

Breast LiftThe incision patterns for lifting a woman’s sagging breastswill be determined based on the amount of excess skin tobe removed. These may include one or a combination ofincisions in a circular pattern around the areola, in a lineextending from the areola to the breast crease and/orhorizontally along the breast crease. A breast implant alsomay be recommended to enhance breast shape and size.

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Arm LiftSagging skin in the upper arms is treated with an incisionfrom the underarm area extending along the inside or backof the upper arm. Additional incisions on the arms may benecessary anywhere excess skin has formed saggingpockets. Although initially obscured by swelling andbruising, the smoother, tighter contours that result fromupper arm contouring are apparent almost immediately.

The ultimate scar will be more obvious when the arms areraised.

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Thigh LiftReshaping of the thighs is achieved through incisions in thegroin that can extend downward to the knee along the innerportion of the thigh. Improving contours of the outer thighmay require an incision extending from the groin around thehip. Through these incisions your plastic surgeon will tightentissues for a smoother thigh.

RISKS & SAFETY

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The decision to have body contouring surgery is extremelypersonal. You will have to decide if the benefits will help youachieve your goals and if the risks and potentialcomplications are acceptable. You will be asked to signconsent forms to ensure that you fully understand theprocedure and any risks and potential complications.

Risks include:BleedingInfectionFluid accumulationPoor wound healingSkin lossBlood clots, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) andpulmonary embolismExcessive or widened scarsNumbness or other changes in skin sensationAnesthesia risksUnfavorable scarringResidual skin laxity or contour irregularity

These risks and others will be fully discussed prior to yourconsent. It is important that you address all your questionsdirectly with your plastic surgeon.

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RECOVERY AFTERSURGERYFollowing surgery, dressings or bandages will be applied toyour incisions. Small, thin tubes may be temporarily placed

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under the skin to drain any excess blood or fluid that maycollect.

You will be given specific instructions that may include howto care for the surgical site(s), medications to apply or takeorally to aid healing and reduce the potential for infection,specific concerns to look for at the surgical site or in yourgeneral health, and when to follow up with your plasticsurgeon.

You may be instructed to avoid bending, straining or liftingfor several days to weeks. Where tightening of the abdomenor thighs is involved, your plastic surgeon may also instructyou to avoid standing fully upright and stressing any internalsutures as they heal, and to sleep with pillows elevatingyour knees.

To minimize the risk of DVT (blood clots in the legs) you willneed be up and walking as soon as possible, and drinkingplenty of fluid.

Follow all instructions carefully – this is essential to thesuccess of your outcome.

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You’ll need help. If a component of your bodycontouring surgery is performed on anoutpatient basis, be sure to arrange forsomeone to drive you to and from surgery andto stay with you for at least the first nightfollowing surgery.

Be sure to ask your plastic surgeon specific questions aboutwhat you can expect during your individual recovery period:

Where will I be taken after my surgery is complete?What medication will I be given or prescribed aftersurgery?Will I have dressings/bandages after surgery?When will they be removed?Are stitches removed? When?When can I resume normal activity and exercise?When do I return for follow-up care?

RESULTSThe results of body contouring following aggressive weightloss are visible almost immediately; however, it can take twoyears or more to see the final results. Visible scars aresomething you must accept to achieve a body contour thatmatches your new weight and proportion. The results ofbody contouring are generally long lasting, provided you

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maintain a stable weight and general fitness. As your bodyages, it is natural to lose some firmness. However, most ofyour initial improvement should be relatively permanent.

Although good results are expected from your procedure,there is no guarantee. In some situations, it may not bepossible to achieve optimal results with a single surgicalprocedure and another surgery may be necessary.

Following your physician’s instructions is criticalto the success of your surgery. It is importantthat the surgical incisions are not subjected toexcessive force, swelling, abrasion or motionduring the time of healing. Your doctor will giveyou specific instructions on how to care foryourself.

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COSTCost is always a consideration in elective surgery. Prices forbody contouring procedures can vary widely. A surgeon’scost for body contouring procedures may vary based on hisor her experience, the type of procedure(s) used andgeographic office location. Many plastic surgeons offerpatient financing plans, so be sure to ask.

Cost may include:Surgeon’s feeHospital or surgical facility costsAnesthesia feesPrescription medicationPost-surgery garmentsMedical tests

Health insurance may not cover body contouring surgery orits complications.

Your satisfaction involves more than a fee:When choosing a plastic surgeon for body contouring,remember that the surgeon’s experience and your comfortwith him or her are just as important as the final cost of thesurgery.

Plastic surgery involves many choices. The first and mostimportant is selecting a member of the American Society ofPlastic Surgeons (ASPS) surgeon you can trust. ASPSmember surgeons meet rigorous standards:

Board certification by the American Board of PlasticSurgery® (ABPS) or in Canada by The Royal Collegeof Physicians and Surgeons of Canada®

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Complete at least six years of surgical trainingfollowing medical school with a minimum of three yearsof plastic surgery residency trainingPass comprehensive oral and written examsGraduate from an accredited medical schoolComplete continuing medical education, includingpatient safety, each yearPerform surgery in accredited, state-licensed, orMedicare-certified surgical facilities

Do not be confused by other official sounding boardsand certifications.The ABPS is recognized by the American Board of MedicalSpecialties (ABMS), which has approved medical specialtyboards since 1934. There is no ABMS-recognized certifyingboard with “cosmetic surgery” in its name. By choosing amember of The American Society of Plastic Surgeons, youcan be assured that you are choosing a qualified, highlytrained plastic surgeon who is board-certified by the ABPSor The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons ofCanada.

This brochure is intended strictly for educational purposes. Itis not intended to make any representations or warrantiesabout the outcome of any procedure. It is not a substitute fora thorough, in-person consultation with a board certifiedplastic surgeon.

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Jerome Chao, MD, FACSCertified Plastic Surgery of NY, PLLC13 Century Hill Drive Latham, NY United StatesPhone: +1 (518) 203-2582

© 2020 AMERICAN SOCIETY OF PLASTIC SURGEONS.All Rights Reserved.

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