Cosmetic Surgeries for Weight Loss and Toning
Cosmetic surgery has come a long way over the years, giving surgeons the ability to fix people’s insecurities while retaining a natural look. Some surgeries, like face lifts, allow a patient to turn back the clock to look decades younger while not being too obvious about it.
Some of the most popular forms of plastic surgery involve weight loss. Lap bands, tummy tucks, and other surgeries have become common solutions to lose weight and achieve that slim, toned look. Here’s a closer look at some popular weight loss and toning procedures.
Tummy Tuck
Technically known as an abdominoplasty, a tummy tuck aims at making the abdomen smoother and firmer. The procedure involves tightening the muscle and fascia of the abdominal wall by removing excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen. Most commonly, the procedure is performed due to sagging, loose abdominal skin caused by:
- Pregnancy
- Heredity
- Aging
- Significant weight loss
For a full tummy tuck, a horizontal incision is made in the area between the pubic hairline and navel. The length of the incision is based on how much correction is necessary. Through this incision, surgeons can repair weakened abdominal muscles and remove excess skin, fat, and tissue. The patient may also require a second incision around the navel in order to remove excess tissue in the upper abdomen.
Once the procedure is completed, the incisions are closed with sutures, staples, or stitches.
Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Band
A laparoscopic adjustable gastric band, or more concisely known as a lap band, is a device used to treat obesity. As far as weight loss procedures go, lap bands have become about as popular as liposuction, often requiring shorter recovery periods. Lap bands are also much less invasive than liposuction.
The process of inserting the band and placing it around the stomach is simple, often requiring only a few small incisions.
The lap band creates a pouch at the top of the stomach. The pouch can hold about half a cup of food, while the average stomach holds 6 cups. This means that the small pouch fills with food quickly. Furthermore, the band slows down the passage of food from the pouch to the lower part of the stomach. Thus, the pouch registers as full, signaling to the brain that the entire stomach is full.
Ultimately, a lap band helps a person feel hungry less frequently while forcing them to consume smaller portions and feel full quickly and for longer periods of time.
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