Body contouring takes many forms. Also known as body sculpting, the term refers to procedures improving bodily appearance after weight loss. Board-certified Michigan plastic surgeon Dr. Mune Gupta discusses various body contouring options and how to determine the one that is right for you.
Liposuction
No matter how hard you exercise and how well you stick to your diet, there are stubborn pockets of fat that may prove impossible to eradicate. Liposuction literally removes that fat. Small incisions are made in the treatment area. The surgeon inserts a tube known as a cannula to loosen and suck out excess fat.
Keep in mind that liposuction is not a weight-loss procedure, nor will it help sagging skin. Candidates for liposuction are in good health and must fall within 30 percent of their ideal body weight. Their skin requires relative firmness.
Mommy Makeover
Pregnancy and breastfeeding take a toll on your figure. A mommy makeover, a combination of plastic surgery procedures performed after pregnancy, addresses those changes. The procedure itself is personalized to the individual woman. Components may include breast augmentation, lift or reduction, as well as liposuction and/or tummy tuck.
Tummy Tuck
An abdominoplasty, often referred to as a tummy tuck, creates a smooth abdomen by removing excess skin and fat and strengthening weakened muscles. As with any major surgery, avoid any strenuous exercise or activities for about six weeks after the operation.
Wait until you are finished childbearing before scheduling a tummy tuck. While you can still carry a child after the surgery, another pregnancy will undo the results.
Thigh Lift
Rid yourself of excess skin and fat on the inner and outer thighs via a thighplasty, or thigh lift. Candidates should have a stable weight and no serious medical conditions. The result is reshaped thighs for a better lower body appearance.
Arm Lift
Exercise can only do so much to improve loose skin. If you are self-conscious about the saggy skin beneath your arms, an arm lift, or brachioplasty, can solve the problem. The process removes excess fat and skin between your elbow and armpit. When healed, your arms appear firm and more toned.
Learn More About Body Contouring Options
If you would like more information about body contouring options and which ones best suit your needs, schedule a personal consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Mune Gowda. Depending on the patient, it is possible to combine many of these body sculpting procedures to achieve the look you desire.