What is Body Contouring?

 

Body Contouring, or body sculpting, is a cosmetic procedure that reshapes the skin and tissues of the body. It is a popular option among patients who have lost a significant amount of weight and are looking for a way to restore their body’s natural shape, as well as boost their confidence and self-esteem.

A significant reduction in weight, diet, bariatric surgery or post-pregnancy changes can leave loose skin on the lower abdomen, thighs, arms and neck. The sagging, stretched skin can create lines, creases and jowls that make the patient look older or worn down.

Many patients find that a combination of surgical procedures is necessary to achieve the desired body contouring results, so your surgeon will perform an in-depth analysis of your body habitus and lifestyle to recommend a body sculpting treatment that works for you. Your procedure may include liposuction, which removes fat from the undersurface of the skin; a tummy tuck or abdominoplasty, which removes excess skin from the abdominal area; a breast lift or augmentation, which adds or improves the size and shape of the breasts; and an arm lift, which tightens loose skin on the upper arms.

Nonsurgical Body Contouring

The nonsurgical body contouring industry has grown rapidly and includes a number of different technologies that are used to target areas with stubborn excess fat or loose skin. These treatments are effective at reshaping the skin and tissue, without requiring extensive downtime, as is required with surgical body contouring techniques like liposuction.

CoolSculpting, Kybella and QWO injections, Thermage, Velashape, BBL, are all FDA-approved for body sculpting and can offer permanent, natural-looking, long-lasting results in the lower abdominal, buttock, arm, thigh or face regions of the body. These procedures are performed by board-certified dermatologists who have the expertise to provide patients with safe, effective, and long-lasting body sculpting and fat reduction options.

Cryolipolysis (CoolSculpting), injection lipolysis, laser lipolysis and radiofrequency lipolysis are all body contouring techniques that destroy unwanted fat cells. They also can improve the appearance of sagging skin.

For example, the CoolSculpting procedure uses extremely cold temperatures to eliminate fat cells from the body. Injection and laser lipolysis use deoxycholic acid to break down the fat in targeted areas of the body.

Liposuction and the other surgical body contouring techniques are also very effective for removing unwanted fat and loose skin from the underside of the arms, hips, abdomen and other areas of the body where a person has a stable weight but still has localized pockets of stubborn fat that will not go away with diet and exercise.

The best candidates for body contouring are people who have undergone a significant reduction in weight and are seeking to restore their bodies’ natural, slimmer shape. These patients can expect to see a significant improvement in the appearance of the treated areas after the surgical treatment and should maintain a healthy diet and regular physical activity as they age.

Before undergoing any of these body contouring techniques, it is important to discuss the risks and complications with your doctor. Depending on the specific procedure, you may experience minor side effects that last only a short time or a more serious condition, such as deep vein thrombosis (blood clots in a leg or other major blood vessel), fluid accumulation, infection or permanent disfigurement.