The battle to lose weight seems to affect more and more women every year

THE battle to lose weight seems to affect more and more women every year. TV shows such as The Biggest Loser, as well as key celebrities embarking on a very public battle of the bulge, have provided the inspiration around many everyday people losing weight and transforming their lives. Whether the need to lose weight is due to incorrect diet and lack of exercise, or if it is losing those extra kilos put on through pregnancy, many women find that reaching their ideal weight is far less fulfilling than they thought. We would all like to think that no matter what we did to our bodies, whether it be through weight gain or pregnancy, hard work and dedication would ensure our bodies returned to their former figure. Unfortunately, in most cases this is not the case. Many women find that even after this weight loss they are still unhappy due to loose skin preventing them from wearing what they want and feeling confident wearing nothing. As we age, we lose elasticity in our skin, which means that any weight gain is going to stretch the skin. Once the excess weight is then lost, the loss of elasticity in the skin prevents the skin from shrinking back into place. This is particularly noticeable in areas such as the tummy and breasts, but for those losing massive amounts of weight it can also affect the arms, back, buttocks and thighs. Thankfully, there are options available to remove the loose skin, tighten the areas and leave as little scarring as possible. For women, the tummy and the breasts seem to be the most common areas where loose skin is an issue after weight loss. The tummy is very difficult to tone through diet and exercise alone, particularly for women who have carried children. Often there is not only loose skin in this area, but the underlying muscles have also stretched meaning no amount of crunches or healthy eating will trim this area. An abdominoplasty is designed to remove the loose skin and tighten these underlying muscles, at last achieving a trim and defined waistline. Careful attention is paid to the placement of the scar ensuring it is as low as possible on the abdomen so it can be hidden by clothes and swimwear. It’s a cruel world when 1000 crunches a day won’t deliver a flat tummy, but an even crueler world when weight loss leaves small sagging breasts.