Body contouring refers to a type of plastic surgery devoted to reshaping the body's proportions or curves. In the case of loose or sagging skin, it can reduce irritation, pain or even infection caused by the loose skin "folds."

No. Exercise and healthy eating, while critical to attaining and maintaining weight loss, have no effect on the development of uneven body contours, bulges or loose skin after dramatic weight loss. The amount of overall weight loss is the number one contributor to the development of these problems. Heredity and older age also play a role.

Areas most often affected include the face, neck, upper arms, breasts, abdomen, thighs and buttocks. The body areas requiring contouring may vary from patient to patient, as do the procedures used.

During a body contouring consultation, patients learn about the risks, benefits and alternatives. The consultation involves a physical exam to determine overall health and readiness to undergo a plastic surgery procedure, as well as an evaluation of the patient's needs, preferences and expectations. Because patients have diverse weight loss outcomes and preferences, it is necessary that body contouring solutions are highly individualized. An office consultation is the best way to learn about the options available.

Body contouring after dramatic weight loss is typically considered "elective surgery" and is not covered by most insurance plans. Memorial Weight Loss & Wellness Center partners with Springfield Clinic and SIU to offer more affordable body contouring options and financial counseling to our bariatric surgery patients. Fees for this type of surgery are usually paid by the patient prior to surgery and vary widely depending on the procedure being performed, whether multiple procedures are done at the same time and the type of anesthesia used.

Some insurance plans may cover body contouring after weight loss, particularly if there are medical reasons for the procedure (e.g., skin irritation or infection caused by loose skin folds).

• Build confidence and commitment to weight loss
• Use mindfulness to help increase awareness of the connection between thoughts, behaviors, eating and exercise
• Decrease hunger and cravings
• Respond to sabotaging thoughts while building helpful, productive thoughts
• Soothe emotions without food

You might be an ideal candidate for the program if you:

• Self-identify as an "emotional eater"
• Tend to eat more in a situation where food is displayed or if others around you are eating
• Tend to feel it is unfair that you have to change your eating patterns
• Have unstructured eating habits with irregular meals and varying meal times
• Feel you know what you should do to lose weight, but have difficulty taking the steps necessary to do so

Insurance may cover the cost of this class. For more information, please contact your insurance provider directly. They may ask for the name of the service (health and behavior group intervention) or the CPT code (96153). Ask your insurance provider if you need a referral from your primary care physician. The fee for each 90-minute class is $120.

Call the Health Psychology Department at (217) 788–4180 to get information about the next scheduled class or to register.