On Body Contouring and Body Positivity
As we go through 2021 in the midst of the pandemic, we continue with a new kind of normal that we had no choice but to embrace. No industry was exempt to the harsh demands that the pandemic brought, including us, even though we are already part of the healthcare industry.
That said, 2020 was also a year that saw us battle for body positivity. From celebrities and influencers to our neighbor who is not even on social media, it’s become clear that people everywhere can be subjected to unsolicited advice about how they would look better if they were this and that. In the face of our normalized pursuits to satisfying insatiable beauty standards, the body positivity movement gives way to a more relaxed health-focused self-care. Surgeries and treatments, including Body Contouring, which people shied away from before for fear of being judged are now sought after freely and with healthier motivations.
Body Contouring, just by the name itself, are a wide range of treatments focused on improving the body’s appearance by modifying its size and shape. It is perfectly valid to be interested in this procedure for aesthetic reasons, however, the benefits span much farther. It’s main aim is to remove and tighten any excess skin that usually comes about after rapid significant weight loss, childbirth, or aging.
Loose skin eventually retracts for those who lost a small or moderate amount of weight. Major weight loss especially at a rapid rate, however, may lead to sagging skin that has a weakened ability to retract. The latter are considered to be good candidates for this type of procedure.
What this surgery helps with
Body Contouring surgeries take care of any excess skin which causes discomfort and unnecessary adjustment in even our littlest daily actions. Aside from this, it can cause:
Difficulty in walking and exercising
Poor posture
Aching of the back and shoulders
Chronic rashes and infections in the folds
Personal hygiene issues due to the accumulation of sweat and problems with thorough cleaning of affected areas
Low or poor self-esteem
Advancements in surgery make the procedure generally safe.
As with all treatments, there is of course some potential for complications to occur.
Some of these are:
Heavy bleeding on treated areas
Scarring
Infection
Allergic reaction to sutures, dressings, or antiseptic solutions
Large blood clot under an incision site
Heart-related complications caused by a blood clot
Bruising or swelling around the treated areas
Slow healing (if patient is a smoker or has diabetes)
Short-term nausea due to the anesthesia
Who this is for
Adults whose weight loss has stabilized
Healthy individuals without medical conditions that impair healing or increase risk of surgery
Non-smokers
Individuals with a positive outlook and realistic goals
Individuals that are committed to leading a healthy lifestyle with proper nutrition and fitness
References:
American Society of Plastic Surgeons. “Body Contouring.” https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/body-contouring. Accessed 16 December 2020.
Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons. “Body Contouring.” https://plasticsurgery.org.au/procedures/surgical-procedures/body-contouring/. Accessed 16 December 2020.
Cherry, Kendra. “What Is Body Positivity?” verywellmind, 25 February 2020, https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-body-positivity-4773402. Accessed 16 December 2020.