Losing a significant amount of weight — whether through lifestyle changes, medication, or bariatric surgery — is an incredible achievement. However, many people find that even after reaching their goal weight, they’re still dissatisfied with loose, sagging skin or disproportionate areas that haven’t responded to weight loss alone. That’s where body contouring procedures come in.
Dr. Marco Ellis, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Chicago, offers customized body contouring procedures to help you achieve a firmer, more balanced appearance after major weight loss. With years of experience in reconstructive and aesthetic surgery, Dr. Ellis understands the physical and emotional transformation this process requires.
What Body Contouring Can Fix
Body contouring procedures are designed to remove excess skin and reshape the body. These surgeries can improve:
- Loose or hanging skin on the abdomen, arms, thighs, and buttocks
- Persistent fat deposits in areas resistant to diet and exercise
- Skin irritation or hygiene issues caused by folds of excess tissue
- Overall body symmetry and proportion following rapid weight loss
By removing extra skin and tightening underlying structures, body contouring can enhance clothing fit, ease of movement, and confidence.
What It Can’t Fix
While body contouring can dramatically improve your body shape, it has limitations:
- It is not a weight loss procedure. You should already be near your goal weight and have maintained it for several months.
- It won’t eliminate stretch marks unless they fall within the area of skin being removed.
- It can’t improve skin elasticity in areas not surgically treated.
- It won’t prevent future changes caused by aging, weight fluctuations, or pregnancy.
You should set realistic expectations about scarring and recovery, both of which are natural parts of surgical intervention.
Body Contouring Procedures
Dr. Ellis offers a full range of surgical procedures tailored to the needs of patients after significant weight loss. Common options include:
- Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck): Removes excess skin and tightens abdominal muscles for a flatter, firmer midsection.
- Lower Body Lift: Addresses sagging skin around the abdomen, hips, thighs, and buttocks in one comprehensive procedure.
- Arm Lift (Brachioplasty): Eliminates loose skin and tissue from the upper arms to restore smoother, more defined contours.
- Thigh Lift: Targets inner or outer thigh skin laxity and improves leg shape.
- Liposuction: Refines areas with residual fat deposits to enhance overall body proportion.
Expert Guidance Is Key
Dr. Ellis performs a thorough evaluation during the consultation process to determine which procedures are appropriate based on anatomy, goals, and medical history. His comprehensive approach emphasizes safety, proportion, and natural-looking results.
If you’ve worked hard to lose weight but are still struggling with excess skin or contour irregularities, body contouring may be the final step in your transformation. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Marco Ellis to explore your options. Contact (312) 695-6022 to get started.