What is body contouring?
Body contouring is an umbrella term for cosmetic surgery that improves the silhouette and shape of the body. They can be loosely grouped into lift procedures that remove excess skin, liposuction procedures that remove pockets of fat, and breast enhancement procedures such as breast augmentation or breast reduction. Body contouring procedures are not a replacement for dieting and exercise; they should not be thought of as weight-loss surgery. They should be reserved for areas of fat that have resisted diet and exercise.
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What procedures are considered body contouring surgery?
Cosmetic procedures such as liposuction, arm lift, thigh lift, tummy tuck, and breast augmentation, among others, are considered body contouring procedures.
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Can different types of body contouring procedures be combined?
Yes, you can undergo liposuction at the same time as breast enhancement surgery or a thigh lift at the same time as an arm lift. Combining surgery is done frequently. However, having several procedures done at the same time increases the length of surgery, which may increase the risks of anesthesia. More surgery means a greater risk of complications, but even so, combining several procedures is considered safe overall.
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How is body contouring performed?
There are several types of procedures that are considered to be body contouring. In liposuction procedures, a thin tube called a cannula is inserted through a small incision. The cannula is used to break up areas of fat and the fat is then suctioned out of the body. In a lift procedure, loose skin is removed and the underlying tissue may be rearranged to correct a feature that is sagging. In breast enhancement, a breast implant can create a new, larger bust line or an overly large bust can be reduced in size.
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For frequently asked questions about the individual procedures that comprise body contouring, see:
