While known by a lot of other names, body contouring is generally equated with improving the appearance of the entire body; very much like an artist sculpts a block of marble. The greatest benefit of body contouring occurs after major weight loss and is designed to improve the shape and tone of the underlying tissue. It should be noted that extensive incisions may be extensive in order to achieve a new look.
The incision length and pattern depend on the amount of excess skin to be removed, as well as sound surgical judgment. Advanced medical technique usually allows incisions to be hidden and placed in strategic locations. Expert body contouring such as performed in plastic surgery hubs like Southern California’s High Desert, is often performed in stages. While it may have taken you years to lose excess weight, it may take equally as long for the results of body contouring to become apparent. Here is a short list of commonly performed body sculpting procedures:
Body Lift involves a lift to the lower body to treat sagging buttocks, abdomen, waist, hips and outer thighs. Incision patterns vary, and may include a circumferential incision around the body to remove a “belt” of excess skin and fat.
Breast Lift is designed to lift a woman’s sagging breasts and may be performed in a combination of incisions in a circular pattern around the areola; in a line extending from the areola to the breast crease; and horizontally along the breast crease.
Arm Lift removes sagging skin from the upper arms is treated with an incision that extends from under the arm along the inside or back of the upper arm. The smoother contours that result from upper arm contouring are detectable almost immediately, although initially obscured by swelling and bruising.
Thigh Lift reshapes the thighs through incisions in the groin that can extend downward to the knee. Improving contours of the outer thigh may require an incision extending from the groin around the hip. Through these incisions the plastic surgeon can tighten tissues for a smoother, better toned thigh.
Body contouring procedures performed by an expert High Desert plastic surgeon can help sculpt your appearance and help you look your best.