What to Expect: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When Is It Done? 

Body contouring can begin a year to 18 months after bariatric surgery or when weight loss has reached a plateau and remained stable for three months to six months. Because most patients require a succession of procedures, it will go on for quite some time. Typically, a procedure will be undertaken every three months to six months, depending on how quickly patients heal.

Since many patients need work on the abdomen, back, legs, arms, breasts and other areas, this can add up to a few years of surgery.

How Long Does Each Surgery Take?

As a general rule, six hours of surgery is enough at one time. You will prioritize the areas that bother you most to focus on before moving to other areas of the body.

Is Liposuction Involved? 

For some patients, liposuction is used to reduce overall bulk before skin reduction surgery. This is a science unto itself for massive weight loss patients, whose loss of skin elasticity demands more use of tumescent fluids than we employ with conventional patients.

Will There be Scarring? 

Body shaping creates long scars down the arms, up the legs, across the lower stomach, sometimes at the waist. The extent of scarring will vary depending on the type of procedure used. By mapping the tissue to be removed, Dr. Chappell can place these scars where they will be hidden by underwear or in a belt-like position. For arms and legs, he hides the scars where clothing seams would be.

Am I a Good Candidate for Body Shaping?

The best candidates for this type of body contouring are healthy individuals who’ve stabilized their body weight. People with co-existing conditions such as diabetes or heart problems may not be eligible for body contouring surgery. We review each case individually, taking a variety of health-related factors into account.

Will Insurance Pay for it? 

Unlikely. In general, these cases are regarded as cosmetic and are not covered.

Disclaimer: results may vary