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Body contouring and tightening – targeted shaping
For a harmonious body silhouette, it can be advisable to remove excess fatty tissue, tighten excess skin or even out irregularities – tailored to your body.
After major weight loss, after pregnancies or with increasing age, the skin loses elasticity. Excess skin remains that does not recede through either exercise or diet – and that is often perceived as a burden in everyday life.
Common procedures
Tummy tuck
In a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), I remove excess skin and fatty tissue from the lower abdomen. If the abdominal muscles have separated – for example after pregnancies – they can be brought back together in the same operation. The scar lies low, so that it is usually covered by underwear or a bikini.
Body lift
A body lift tightens the trunk all the way around: abdomen, flanks, buttocks and outer thighs. It is mainly considered after massive weight loss, when excess skin has formed in a ring around the body. Body lifts and abdominal wall reconstructions were already an integral part of my training.
Upper arm and thigh lift
Sagging skin on the inner sides of the upper arms or thighs can be tightened surgically. The tightening is often combined with liposuction to further shape the contour.
My approach
When deciding which approach is indicated individually, my priority is always a natural result that suits the body. It takes into account your wishes and anatomical conditions as well as the realistic possibilities of the procedure.
- Many years of experience and a high level of specialist medical expertise
- A detailed consultation to find the individually right solution together
- Modern, tissue-sparing surgical techniques, performed with the utmost precision
- A natural-looking harmonization of body contours and proportions
The best result of body contouring is achieved with a stable body weight, good skin elasticity and realistic expectations.
The tummy tuck explained in more detail
- Mini tummy tuck: only the area below the navel is tightened; the navel stays in place.
- Full tummy tuck: skin and fat are tightened from the costal arch to the groin; the navel is cut around and sewn back in at the same location.
- With separated abdominal muscles (diastasis recti): the edges of the muscles are brought back together with internal sutures – like an internal corset.
- Combination with liposuction: on the flanks for a harmonious waist.
The scar runs low, usually from hip bone to hip bone, and can as a rule be concealed under underwear or swimwear. Stretch marks only disappear insofar as they lie in the area of skin that is removed.
Upper arms and thighs
With slight sagging, liposuction may be sufficient, because the skin contracts somewhat afterwards. With significant excess skin, tightening is performed:
- Upper arm: scar on the inner side, between the armpit and the elbow – usually hardly visible when the arm is hanging down.
- Thigh: with minor sagging, an incision in the groin; with more pronounced sagging, additionally on the inner side towards the knee.
Recovery at a glance
| Abdomen | Upper arm | Thigh | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compression | Compression girdle, approx. 6 weeks | Bolero, a few weeks | Compression pants, a few weeks |
| Office work | after about 2 weeks | after about 1 week | after 1 to 2 weeks |
| Sports | gradually from about 6 weeks | after about 3 to 4 weeks | light activity after about 4 weeks |
These figures are guidelines; the actual course depends on the extent of the procedure and on your healing.
Procedure
- Consultation I examine the affected regions and discuss with you which procedures are advisable – and in which order.
- Planning We decide together on the incision pattern and the course of the scars.
- Surgery Tightening operations are performed under general anesthesia; depending on the extent, an inpatient stay is necessary.
- Aftercare Compression garments, wound checks and a gradual return to everyday life and sports.
Risks
Tightening operations are major procedures. The risks include secondary bleeding, seromas, wound healing problems, infections, thromboses and conspicuous scars. Smoking significantly increases the risk of wound healing problems. Careful preparation and informed consent are therefore particularly important.
Body contouring: the process step by stepPreparation, day of surgery and healing – with illustrations
Frequently asked questions
When is the right time after weight loss?
Your weight should be stable for several months. Then the excess skin can be assessed reliably, and the result will last.
How visible are the scars?
Tightening procedures leave scars. I plan them so that they lie in natural folds or under clothing as far as possible. Over the course of months, they fade considerably.
Are tightening operations paid for by health insurance?
As a rule, these are self-pay services. In the case of medical complaints, such as recurring skin inflammation under large skin folds, coverage of costs may be possible in individual cases.
Do stretch marks disappear with a tummy tuck?
Only the stretch marks that lie in the area of skin that is removed. Stretch marks above it remain, but often move down somewhat.
Is the result permanent?
With a stable weight, as a rule, yes. Major weight fluctuations or another pregnancy can change the result.