Body Contouring Surgery in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Body contouring surgery helps remove excess skin and some fat while improving the shape and tone of the underlying tissue. For many people in Grand Rapids who have lost a significant amount of weight, this type of surgery can help achieve smoother, more balanced body contours that diet and exercise alone cannot provide.

Our cold West Michigan winters, layered clothing, and active summers on the lakes often highlight changes in body shape after major weight loss. Body contouring can help align how you look with how you feel after your weight-loss journey.

What Is Body Contouring?

Body contouring is a group of surgical procedures designed to:

  • Remove loose, hanging skin
  • Reduce small areas of stubborn fat
  • Tighten and reshape specific body areas

This surgery is not a primary weight-loss treatment. It is most appropriate for people in the Grand Rapids area who:

  • Have already achieved major weight loss (through lifestyle changes or bariatric surgery)
  • Have maintained a stable weight for at least 6–12 months
  • Are in generally good health

Common areas treated include:

  • Upper arms
  • Breasts
  • Abdomen
  • Buttocks
  • Groin
  • Thighs

Body contouring is often performed in stages and may take months or even years to fully complete, especially if multiple areas are involved.

Considering Body Contouring in Grand Rapids

If you live in or around Grand Rapids and are concerned about excess skin or body shape after weight loss, you have several options:

  • Lifestyle changes – continuing healthy eating and regular exercise
  • Non-surgical treatments – foundation garments, compression wear, or flattering clothing
  • Emotional support – counseling or support groups to help with body image and self-acceptance
  • Surgical body contouring – when loose skin is causing physical or emotional distress

Local residents often seek care at major Grand Rapids healthcare systems such as Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health), Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, and Mercy Health. Your primary care provider or bariatric surgeon can help refer you to a qualified plastic or reconstructive surgeon.

Who Is a Good Candidate?

You may be a good candidate for body contouring surgery in Grand Rapids if:

  • Your weight is stable
  • You are not planning significant additional weight loss
  • You do not smoke (or are willing to quit before surgery)
  • You have realistic expectations about scars and results
  • You are medically cleared for surgery

If you have had weight reduction (bariatric) surgery, your plastic surgeon will work closely with your bariatric team and primary care doctor to determine when it is safe to begin body contouring.

Important Things to Know Before Surgery

  • Body contouring does not remove large amounts of fat alone
  • Poor skin elasticity may require a combination of skin excision and liposuction
  • Weight loss after surgery can create new loose skin
  • Weight gain after surgery can stretch tightened skin, cause new stretch marks, and widen scars
  • Multiple incisions are usually required, and scarring will be permanent, though it often fades over time

Choosing a Body Contouring Surgeon in Grand Rapids

If you are serious about surgery, take time to select the right medical professional and facility. In West Michigan, look for:

  • Board-certified plastic or reconstructive surgeons
  • Surgeons with specific experience in body contouring after major weight loss
  • Hospitals or accredited surgery centers affiliated with major systems like Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, or Mercy Health

At your first consultation, ask about:

  • The surgeon’s training and board certification
  • How many body contouring procedures they perform each year
  • Their experience with patients after bariatric surgery
  • Before-and-after photos of similar patients
  • Where the surgery will be performed and what type of anesthesia will be used

You can also consult local resources such as the Kent County Health Department or Grand Rapids Public Health for general guidance on finding reputable medical care.

Pre‑Surgery Evaluation and Preparation

Before your operation, your surgeon will review several important medical issues:

Medical Assessment

  • Physical health – a full examination to confirm you are fit for surgery
  • Medical history – including heart disease, diabetes (common in Michigan), high blood pressure, clotting disorders, or past surgeries
  • Medications and supplements – prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, herbal products, fish oil, and vitamins
  • Past reactions to anesthesia or medications – including allergies or serious side effects

Because Michigan winters can increase risks like respiratory infections and decreased activity, your surgeon may recommend surgery during a time when you are healthiest and can safely recover at home.

Preparation Instructions

Your surgeon will give you detailed instructions, which may include:

  • Adjusting or stopping certain medications (such as blood thinners)
  • Avoiding smoking and nicotine products
  • Arranging time off work and help at home during recovery
  • Planning for transportation to and from the hospital or surgery center
  • Fasting before surgery, as directed

Follow all instructions carefully to reduce the risk of complications.

How Body Contouring Surgery Is Performed

Body contouring surgery is usually performed:

  • Under general anesthesia (you are asleep)
  • Occasionally with an epidural (numbs the body from the waist down) plus sedation

Your surgeon will try to place incisions:

  • In natural skin folds
  • In areas that can be hidden by clothing or underwear

However, some scars may be visible, especially when treating large areas of loose skin.

Types of Body Contouring Procedures

Depending on your needs, your Grand Rapids surgeon may recommend one or more of the following surgeries:

Lower Body Lift

A lower body lift targets:

  • Abdomen
  • Hips
  • Buttocks
  • Outer thighs

Key points:

  • Excess skin and some fat are removed, and the remaining tissue is tightened
  • The surgeon may make an incision that circles the body at the level of the hips
  • This procedure can also improve a dimpled, irregular skin surface (cellulite) in some patients
  • It may be done in one long operation or planned as two or more separate surgeries

Thigh Lift

A thigh lift addresses loose skin on the thighs, often after major weight loss.

  • A cut is made in the groin, running down the inner leg toward the knee
  • Extra skin and fat are removed
  • In some cases, the incision is extended from the groin to the outer hip to improve the shape of the outer thigh

Buttock Lift

A buttock lift can reshape drooping or flattened buttocks.

  • The surgeon makes an incision across the top of the buttocks, and sometimes along the sides
  • Crescent-shaped sections of skin and fat are removed
  • The skin is pulled up and tightened, then sutured into place

Breast Lift (Mastopexy)

A breast lift helps raise and firm sagging breasts, which is common after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or major weight loss.

  • The surgeon cuts around the areola and makes a vertical incision from the areola to the breast crease
  • A horizontal incision along the crease may also be needed
  • Extra skin is removed through this “lollipop-shaped” or “anchor-shaped” pattern
  • A breast implant may be added at the same time if you want to increase breast size

Arm Lift (Brachioplasty)

An arm lift targets loose, hanging skin on the upper arms (“bat wings”).

  • An incision is made along the inner surface of the upper arm, from the armpit to the elbow
  • Underlying muscle may be tightened with stitches
  • Extra skin is cut away and the remaining skin is smoothed and reshaped

What to Expect After Surgery

Immediately after surgery, you can expect:

  • Swelling
  • Bruising
  • Pain or discomfort (managed with medication)
  • Dressings or bandages over the incisions
  • Compression garments to help reduce swelling and support healing
  • Possible temporary numbness around the incision sites

You will receive detailed instructions before leaving the hospital or surgery center in Grand Rapids.

Risks and Possible Complications

All surgery carries some degree of risk. Possible complications of body contouring include:

  • Risks of anesthesia, including allergic reactions (rarely fatal)
  • Bleeding or infection
  • Blood clots, which can lead to serious cardiovascular events such as:
    • Heart attack
    • Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
    • Stroke
  • Collapsed lung (rare)
  • Fluid build-up beneath the wound (seroma)
  • Tissue death (necrosis) along the wound or areas of skin loss
  • Sensory nerve damage, causing prolonged or permanent numbness
  • Prolonged swelling
  • Damage to underlying tissues, such as muscles
  • Asymmetry (unevenness) of the skin or body shape
  • Unsightly, inflamed, or itchy scarring
  • Need for additional surgery to treat complications or revise scars

This is not a complete list. Your personal medical history and lifestyle—such as smoking, diabetes, or limited mobility during Michigan’s winter months—may increase your risk of certain complications. Discuss your specific risks thoroughly with your surgeon.

Self‑Care at Home After Body Contouring Surgery

Be guided by your surgeon, but general recovery tips include:

  • Rest as much as possible in the first days after surgery
  • Take only gentle walks for the first 7–10 days to promote circulation and reduce clot risk
  • Avoid strenuous activities, heavy lifting, or vigorous exercise for at least 4 weeks (or as directed)
  • Protect your stitches:
    • Do not wear tight clothing that rubs on incisions
    • Avoid stretching or sudden movements that pull on the surgical areas
  • Wear compression garments for several weeks, if advised
  • Keep incisions clean and dry, following your wound-care instructions
  • Report any bleeding, severe pain, fever, shortness of breath, or unusual symptoms to your surgeon or local emergency department (e.g., at Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital or Trinity Health Grand Rapids)

Because West Michigan winters can make outdoor activity challenging, plan ahead for safe indoor movement and support at home during recovery.

Long‑Term Outlook After Body Contouring

  • Your silhouette in clothing changes immediately, but final results take time
  • Swelling can persist for weeks to months
  • Scars are permanent, but usually fade and soften over 6–12 months
  • It may take up to two years for all stages of surgery and scar maturation to be complete—similar to the time it may have taken to lose the weight
  • Body contouring will not prevent future sagging if you gain and then lose a large amount of weight again
  • Some degree of skin laxity is a normal part of aging, especially in a climate with seasonal changes like Grand Rapids

Maintaining a stable weight, eating a healthy diet, and staying active year-round (using indoor exercise during cold months) can help preserve your results.

Alternatives to Body Contouring Surgery

If you decide surgery is not right for you, alternatives include:

  • Accepting your natural shape – some people find they adjust over time
  • Counseling or therapy – talking with a counselor, psychologist, or support group can help with body image concerns
  • Healthy lifestyle – a balanced, low-fat diet and regular exercise
  • Foundation garments or compression wear – to smooth contours under clothing
  • Flattering clothing choices – professional styling or fit consultations can help you feel more confident

Where to Get Help in Grand Rapids, MI

If you are interested in body contouring surgery in Grand Rapids, consider:

  • Your primary care provider (GP) – for initial guidance and referrals
  • Board-certified plastic or reconstructive surgeons at:
    • Corewell Health (Spectrum Health)
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
    • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
    • Mercy Health
  • Bariatric surgery programs – if you have had weight-loss surgery, ask about coordinated body contouring referrals
  • Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health – for general health information and support resources

You can also contact a local cosmetic surgery information line, such as a Cosmetic Surgery Hub at (616) 555‑0400, for help connecting with qualified surgeons in the Grand Rapids area.

Key Points to Remember

  • Body contouring is best for people who have lost significant weight and maintained a stable weight.
  • Weight gain after surgery can stretch tightened skin and lead to new stretch marks and wider scars.
  • This procedure can help improve cellulite and irregular skin surfaces in some areas.
  • All surgery carries risk; your personal health and lifestyle can increase or decrease those risks.
  • Discuss your options thoroughly with a qualified, experienced surgeon in Grand Rapids to decide if body contouring is right for you.