Alabama Tummy Tuck Doctor Discusses Post Weight Loss Options

    BIRMINGHAM, AL, December 13, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- With more and more people achieving massive weight loss through bariatric surgery or diet and exercise plans, the demand for post weight loss plastic surgery continues to rise. Dr. Michael Beckenstein (www.msbmd.com) is a board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in post weight loss body contouring procedures, including liposuction, body lift and abdominoplasty, or tummy tucks, in Alabama.

"Losing weight is always an accomplishment, and those who work hard to change their lives by losing a significant amount of weight should feel especially proud," says Dr. Beckenstein. "Unfortunately, many people who lose a significant amount of weight find that they are left with unsightly excess skin. As a result, an increasing number of men and women who have undergone major weight loss are talking with me about plastic surgery to remove the excess skin, completing their body transformation."

There are many body contouring procedures available for post weight loss patients. At Dr. Beckenstein's practice in Birmingham, Alabama, tummy tuck and panniculectomy are the primary procedures to correct the appearance of sagging excess skin in the abdominal area. During a tummy tuck, excess skin and fatty tissue are removed from the abdomen and the abdominal muscles are tightened to correct any bulging around the stomach. The main difference between a tummy tuck and a panniculectomy is that a panniculectomy does not include tightening of the abdominal muscles or repositioning of the belly button; it is focused solely on removing the excess skin and fat from the lower abdomen.

"It is very common for post weight loss patients, especially those who have had bariatric surgery, to be left with an excess fold of skin hanging below the abdomen," says Dr. Beckenstein. "Panniculectomies and tummy tucks help my Alabama patients increase comfort while putting the finishing touches on the slimmer appearance they've been working toward."

Dr. Beckenstein also offers body contouring procedures for men and women who have excess skin on their arms, thighs, or buttocks. Brachioplasty removes skin and fat from the area between the underarm and elbow, and a thigh lift is often recommended for patients who would like to improve the appearance of their upper thighs. A belt lipectomy - also known as a lower body lift - is a good option for patients who want to reshape their thighs and buttocks.

"As a surgeon, it's important to realize that no two patients are the same and there is no simple cookie cutter approach for patients who have undergone massive weight loss," adds Dr. Beckenstein. "That's why I take the time to complete an in-depth consultation with each of my Birmingham and Montgomery cosmetic surgery patients. By evaluating their current anatomy and discussing their surgical goals, I am able to recommend the procedure - or combination of procedures - that will create a satisfying outcome."

Dr. Michael Beckenstein (http://www.msbmd.com) is a board-certified plastic surgeon who offers procedures for the breasts, body and face at his practice in Birmingham, Alabama. Dr. Beckenstein earned his MD from Eastern Virginia Medical School before studying advanced plastic surgery techniques through several residencies and fellowships. He is certified by the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Dr. Beckenstein has authored and co-authored a number of articles in journals and textbooks, and has been recognized as one of America's Top Surgeons by the Consumer Research Council of America.

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