Surgical body contouring treatments use a range of different body sculpting techniques to help improve the shape and proportion of the body. These surgeries can also help enhance a person’s appearance and boost self-confidence.
Body contouring surgery is used by many plastic surgeons as a fat reduction technique. It is also used to remove excess skin as well as reshape almost any area of the body.
Plastic surgeons provide patients a variety of body sculpting techniques, including liposuction, tummy tuck, and body lift surgery. Some surgeons also perform body contouring procedures that help with removing fat deposits and weight loss in several areas of the body, such as the love handles or the excess skin that extends outward from the hips.
Arm Lift, medically referred to as Brachioplasty, is a body contouring procedure used to remove excess skin from the upper arm. Loose skin throughout the arms is commonly due to a loss of elasticity as a result of a number of factors, such as natural aging or rapid weight loss.
With Brachioplasty, plastic surgeons can perform skin tightening and contouring in the upper arms to restore a youthful appearance. Clients with excess fat on their arms that are unresponsive to diet and exercise may also choose to undergo liposuction to achieve more dramatic body contouring results.
Many patients who underwent Arm Lift surgery said they experienced a boost of self-confidence following the procedure. Many have also said they now feel more confident in wearing revealing clothing or raising their arms over their heads.
Patients with an extensive amount of excess skin in multiple areas of the body may benefit more from Body Lift surgery. This cosmetic procedure is used by plastic surgeons to target the entire body or specific areas.
A Total Body Lift procedure is beneficial for patients who have lost skin elasticity in multiple areas of their bodies. While doctors are able to achieve great overall aesthetic results using this procedure, it also requires patients to undergo an extended recovery period following several treatment sessions.
There are two options for Body Lift, both of which are illustrated below:
A woman’s breasts are prone to change in shape, size, or ptosis. Part of the reason for this is because the skin is losing its elasticity and firmness. Breast Lift procedure, also called Mastopexy, is done to lift, reshape and tighten the breasts.
In some cases, the areola becomes too oversized. Plastic surgeons use Breast Lift surgery to reduce its size and to contribute to the overall balance of the breasts.
One thing to note is that a Breast Lift procedure cannot make the upper part of the breast look fuller.
There are a variety of incision patterns that plastic surgeons might use during the Breast Lift procedure. Although, the incision performed will depend on the breast size and shape, as well as the position of the areola, degree of ptosis and skin elasticity. Typically, the Breast Lift procedure is done using an Inverted T-Scar. This incision goes around the areolar, vertical down from the areola to the breast crease and horizontally along the breast crease.
Thigh Lift, also referred to as Thighplasty, is a popular cosmetic surgery among patients looking for a firmer and more attractive appearance in the upper leg region. Like other Body Lift procedures, Thighplasty helps tone and tighten any excess or saggy skin on the patient’s thighs.
There are several different types of Thigh Lift procedures that plastic surgeons perform, including a bilateral, medial, or inner Thighplasty. The type of procedure depends on the patient’s needs and goals.
Thigh Lift surgery is commonly performed in conjunction with liposuction to achieve more dramatic results.
The Tummy Tuck, or Abdominoplasty, is a unique body contouring procedure wherein a surgeon removes excess skin and fat from the patient’s midsection and tightens the abdominal muscles. While Tummy Tuck is typically offered as an individual procedure, it can also be performed in conjunction with a Full-Body Lift surgery.
Due to the nature of the surgical procedure, not everyone is a good candidate for Body Contouring. In general, plastic surgeons take a look into your medical history and conduct examinations to determine if the procedure is right for you. However, there are four signs that might indicate if a patient is a good candidate for Body Contouring.
Before the body contouring surgery, a patient may be asked to:
The Body Contouring Surgery step by step
The procedures required to achieve a patient’s body shape goal, will be executed as follows:
Any procedure, including Body Contouring surgery, comes with certain risks. Complications may include:
After the surgery, specialized care is required to help ensure the patient’s recovery process goes smoothly. There are 10 steps to follow after Body Contouring Surgery
Recovery times vary according to the type of surgery performed. In general, it may take several weeks to several months to recover. Health experts recommend resting and observing post-operative care following the surgery. Patients can also engage in non-strenuous activities. Patients will begin seeing the full improvement on their body six months after the procedure.
