Body Contouring

What is body contouring?

Body contouring refers to a group of procedures that can improve the shape, or contour of the body, arms and legs.  As we age, we gain weight in the form fat and our skin stretches out or becomes lax.  Certain things can make this even worse.  Pregnancy can lead to significant stretching of the abdominal wall, its muscles and skin.  And often it results in some residual weight gain.  This stretching and laxity does not go away after the baby is born or the weight is loss.  Patients who had been overweight and then lose weight can have similar results.  There are many patients who lose hundreds of pounds through surgery or diet and exercise.  Let’s take a look below at some procedures that can address these problems.

Liposuction

Liposuction is one of the most common plastic surgery procedures. It involves making very small incisions, a quarter of an inch long, and sucking out fat with long tubes or cannulas.  This is a great procedure for patients with excess fat and can be performed on the chin, arms, legs and torso.  Although, your skin will tighten a little after the fat is removed, patients with significant lose skin will need one of the procedures below. 

Panniculectomy

A panniculectomy removes the excess skin, or pannus, around the waist.  This can help  the patient feel more comfortable, fit into clothing and may help with any rashes or other problems they may be having.  Panniculectomy can be covered by your insurance. 

Abdominoplasty

An abdominoplasty also removes excess skin at the waist but it also involves a few other steps.  Abdominoplasty tightens the muscles of the abdomen, bringing them closer together.  The procedure also allows for the removal of more skin and re positioning of the belly button.

Lower Body Lift

While panniculectomy and abdominoplasty can treat excess skin and laxity in the front, you may have the same problems on your back.  A lower body lift continues around, 360 degrees, to remove excess skin and tighten your lower back. 

Breast Lift

A breast lift or mastopexy, raises the nipple back up to its natural position and re positions the breast tissue higher on the chest.  It is common procedure, particularly after breast feeding.  This procedure can also be combined with breast augmentation with implants, if the patient desires to increase her breast volume.

Arm Lift

An arm lift, or brachioplasty, removes the excess skin that hangs under the upper arms.  Excess fat can also be removed directly or with liposuction.  The incision is hidden on the inner part of the arm.

Thigh Lift

Often patients can accumulate excess skin along the inner thighs.  This can be disfiguring and uncomfortable.  The skin can rub together and fitting in clothing may be difficult.  A thigh lift removes this excess skin and tightens the upper, inner thigh.

While these procedures all share common principles there are many differences between them.  Often, they can be combined to save time under anesthesia and shorten your recovery. They are also appropriate for both men and women.  At your consultation we will review your personal surgical plan with pictures and drawings, as well as go over the recovery, risks and any questions you may have.