Is Body Contouring Right For You?

Diet and exercise may not always be enough to give you the body shape you want. If you want to eliminate stubborn fat or erase the effects of aging or childbirth, body sculpting or contouring may be an option.

Body outline refers to a range of procedures – surgical and non-surgical – that can improve your appearance by removing fat and tightening excess skin. They often focus on the arms, stomach and chest. Among the most famous examples is the “mommy makeover”, which offers refinement to the chest and abdomen.

Maybe you’re considering body contouring to restore confidence after a major lifestyle change, such as pregnancy or extensive weight loss after bariatric surgery. It’s a big decision, and you’ll want to make sure you’re set up for success.

If you’re considering a mommy makeover, it’s best to wait if you’re planning to have another baby. For patients with weight loss, you should stop until you are at a stable weight for six months after bariatric surgery.

Another thing to consider: Body sculpting is not something that is done to remove large amounts of weight. Therefore, your body mass index (BMI) should be in a reasonable range – less than 30 or, ideally, less than 27 – before any procedure.

Non-surgical body contouring

Non-surgical procedures may be the best option if you are looking for modest improvements. They can help with minor weight loss and tightening of loose skin. The procedures target smaller pockets of fat that have not responded to exercise. Among the advantages of this approach is that you do not need anesthesia and there will be no scars from incisions. The procedures are also gradual, giving you gradual changes that make the treatment more subtle. There are very few side effects. Among the options:

• Cryolipolysis destroys fat cells using extreme cold
• Lipolysis by injection attacks the fat cells using an injection of deoxycholic acid
• Laser lipolysis destroys fat cells using a laser
• Radiofrequency lipolysis targets fat cells with ultrasound waves and heat

Surgical body contouring

If you want more dramatic results, particularly if you need substantial skin tightening, surgical contouring is a better option. There are no non-surgical options that can treat sagging or stretched skin. Your skin has some elasticity, but once it’s stretched beyond a certain point, it won’t go back to its old shape without surgery.

Surgical options usually have more noticeable results. Among the areas of the body that have the most to gain:

Breast lift: Also known as mastopexia, this procedure rejuvenates sagging or drooping breasts. This could include removing excess skin, tightening surrounding tissues, reducing, enlarging, re-contouring and reshaping eye sockets. The procedure sometimes involves implants, although some women prefer to avoid them.

Abdominal pressure: Also known as a tummy tuck, the procedure removes extra skin and fat from your waist while tightening the muscles. The goal is to straighten your belly. The procedure can take up to two and a half hours, depending on the amount of skin and fat to be removed.

Butt lift: This procedure reshapes your buttocks, using incisions, skin removal, and fat harvested (via liposuction) from other parts of your body.

Hand raise: The procedure, also known as a brachioplasty, gets rid of excess skin and fat from the inside of the arm – up to your elbow. It will make your hand look smoother and more defined.

Thigh Lift: Similar to brachioplasty, this procedure targets excess skin and fat on the outer and inner thighs.

With any of these procedures – which use general anesthesia – you may need to stay at least one night in hospital. Most will involve temporary surgical drains to help your body get rid of excess fluid while you heal. You will also need to wear a compression garment for up to eight weeks during your recovery.