Body Contouring

What Is Body Contouring?

Individuals who wish to enhance certain areas of the body may consider body contouring to achieve dramatic results. These surgeries trim away and tighten loose and sagging skin, remove excess fat, and lift areas impacted by weight loss, pregnancy or aging. Progressive medical engineering, surgeon skill, and advanced product technology have allowed body contouring procedures to create life-changing results for men and women.

Surgical Technique

Body contouring surgery can reshape, tighten, and rejuvenate almost any area of the body. Creating a newer, sleeker body contour. In many cases, our surgeon will decide to include liposuction during surgery. Common areas addressed include the neck, arms, breasts, abdomen, hips, butt, knees, and thighs. During the initial consultation, our surgeon will discuss the areas of the body that cause concern will be assessed and a surgery plan. Some procedures may be combined into one surgery. For some individuals, multiple surgeries may be required to achieve the desired results.

Questions about Body Contouring

How Many Procedures?

During the consultation, the surgeon assesses the overall physical health of the patient to determine the procedures and how many in a single setting. Depending how many body parts will be addressed, as well as the extent of the surgeries, certain procedures will be grouped together. In many cases, the upper body will be addressed in one surgery and the lower in another. Staging the procedures helps to reduce the risk of complications such as blood loss and infection, as well as reduce recovery time.

Weight Loss and Timing?

Body contouring is common among weight loss patients. Most cosmetic surgeons want the patient to be at or as close to their goal weight as possible. Patients who find it difficult to lose additional pounds because of loose and hanging skin can usually move forward with a skin reduction or body contouring procedure. This takes them over the “hump” and allows them to become more mobile which helps lose the final pounds.

Same as Mommy Makeover?

To some degree, yes. A mommy makeover simply groups certain body contouring procedures to address the body parts pregnancy commonly affects. This usually entails the breast, abdomen, hips and glutes. While body contouring itself can apply to many other areas on the body, a mommy makeover typically only addresses the areas affected by pregnancy, childbirth, and nursing.

What About Scarring?

Some body contouring procedures will result in scarring. However, the surgeon will make every effort to minimize these scars. In most cases, scars are hidden under bathing suit garments and within the natural folds of the skin. Some scarring may be evident, but will lighten over time. Most patients feel the results of a body contouring procedure are worth it and the scars become secondary.

During/After Body Contouring Surgery

The surgeon performs all body contouring procedures under general anesthesia at an accredited surgical facility. The duration of the surgery and the time spent in the hospital depends on the surgery performed, as well as how many. While the recovery can be somewhat trying, the majority of patients feel that a new, tighter body is worth it. Patients notice marked improvement with sagging features, as well as see a smoother skin appearance. Patients should adhere to a healthy lifestyle, and limit sun exposure so the surgical results are not compromised.

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