What is body contouring?

Answers from doctors (9)


Body conturing describes a group of procedures that are intended to reshape the skin and soft tissues of the body. Typical examples would be liposuction, tummy tuck, and breast augmentation. dpsny.co/body

Answered by William F. DeLuca Jr. MD FACS (View Profile)

Body conturing describes a group of procedures that are intended to reshape the skin and soft tissues of the body. Typical examples would be liposuction, tummy tuck, and breast augmentation. dpsny.co/body

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Body contouring is a blanket term applied to all manner of cosmetic body surgeries ranging from liposuction to excisional procedures such as tummy tucks and thigh lifts.

As always, discuss your concerns with a board-certified plastic surgeon (ABPS).

Answered by The Institute of Aesthetic Surgery (View Profile)

Body contouring is a blanket term applied to all manner of cosmetic body surgeries ranging from liposuction to excisional procedures such as tummy tucks and thigh lifts.

As always, discuss your concerns with a board-certified plastic surgeon (ABPS).

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Barry J. Kaplan, D.O.

Published on Jun 03, 2016

Body contouring is a combination of procedures, usually involving liposuction and skin excision.

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Answered by Barry J. Kaplan, D.O.

Body contouring is a combination of procedures, usually involving liposuction and skin excision.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Larry Leverett, MD, FACS

Published on Apr 13, 2016

Body contouring is addressing the appearance of any part of the body--except the face, neck, and breast. It includes abdominoplasty, liposuction, and cosmetic procedures of the extremities, thorax, and genitalia.

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Answered by Larry Leverett, MD, FACS

Body contouring is addressing the appearance of any part of the body--except the face, neck, and breast. It includes abdominoplasty, liposuction, and cosmetic procedures of the extremities, thorax, and genitalia.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Jed Horowitz, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Published on Mar 18, 2016

Massive weight loss, through surgical or non-surgical procedures, is a significant achievement and the foundation to a healthier, happier life. Following bariatric surgeries, patients feel and look better, yet excess hanging skin can still affect their comfort and self-image. The loose and sagging skin exists in areas such as the arms, breasts, thighs, faces, abdomen, and buttocks. The elasticity of your skin will greatly influence the need for contouring after weight loss. With body contouring, we can improve the shape of the skin, but we cannot improve the quality of the skin. Often times, a staged approach (e.g., planned future surgeries) is required to minimize risk and maximize the final result.

Excess hanging skin can generate hygiene problems, decrease mobility, make daily tasks difficult and create discomfort, often in the form of rashes or sores and prevent many forms of exercise. This sagging skin can be removed through body contouring plastic surgery procedures that help weight loss patients achieve a new positive body image.

Candidates are patients who have recently experienced loss of a large amount of weight through procedures such as gastric banding or bypass surgery, stomach stapling, bariatric surgery, lap band surgery, or non-surgical methods such as diet or exercise.

These candidates have maintained a stable weight for an extended period of time, approximately 12 to 18 months, and do not expect further weight loss, as a result of the previous surgical procedure. During this stabilization period, the skin will shrink as much as possible in preparation for the body contouring procedures.

Candidates should be in good health and maintain a nutritional diet during the year following weight loss surgery. Candidates should not smoke during the 6 weeks prior to surgery and are urged not to recover the habit following surgery as smoking will increase risk of complications and slow the healing process.

Candidates should also have reasonable expectations for the results of the body contouring procedures.

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Answered by Jed Horowitz, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Massive weight loss, through surgical or non-surgical procedures, is a significant achievement and the foundation to a healthier, happier life. Following bariatric surgeries, patients feel and look better, yet excess hanging skin can still affect their comfort and self-image. The loose and sagging skin exists in areas such as the arms, breasts, thighs, faces, abdomen, and buttocks. The elasticity of your skin will greatly influence the need for contouring after weight loss. With body contouring, we can improve the shape of the skin, but we cannot improve the quality of the skin. Often times, a staged approach (e.g., planned future surgeries) is required to minimize risk and maximize the final result.

Excess hanging skin can generate hygiene problems, decrease mobility, make daily tasks difficult and create discomfort, often in the form of rashes or sores and prevent many forms of exercise. This sagging skin can be removed through body contouring plastic surgery procedures that help weight loss patients achieve a new positive body image.

Candidates are patients who have recently experienced loss of a large amount of weight through procedures such as gastric banding or bypass surgery, stomach stapling, bariatric surgery, lap band surgery, or non-surgical methods such as diet or exercise.

These candidates have maintained a stable weight for an extended period of time, approximately 12 to 18 months, and do not expect further weight loss, as a result of the previous surgical procedure. During this stabilization period, the skin will shrink as much as possible in preparation for the body contouring procedures.

Candidates should be in good health and maintain a nutritional diet during the year following weight loss surgery. Candidates should not smoke during the 6 weeks prior to surgery and are urged not to recover the habit following surgery as smoking will increase risk of complications and slow the healing process.

Candidates should also have reasonable expectations for the results of the body contouring procedures.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Dr. Stanley A. Okoro, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Published on Feb 29, 2016

Body contouring is aggressive liposuction that gives natural curves and provides an hour-glass figure. This can be achieved by a board-certified plastic surgeon who has many years of experience in liposuction.

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Answered by Dr. Stanley A. Okoro, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Body contouring is aggressive liposuction that gives natural curves and provides an hour-glass figure. This can be achieved by a board-certified plastic surgeon who has many years of experience in liposuction.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Jaime S. Schwartz, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Published on Feb 24, 2016

I appreciate your question.

Surgical body contouring following major weight loss removes excess sagging fat and skin, while improving the shape of the underlying support tissue. The result is a more normal appearance with smoother contours.

Dramatic weight loss has many benefits. But after weight reduction surgery, or any substantial amount of weight loss, the skin and tissues often lack the elasticity to conform to the reduced body size.

Body contouring procedures may include:

* Facelift: sagging of the mid-face, jowls, and neck
* Breast lift: sagging, flattened breasts
* Tummy tuck: apron of excess skin hanging over the abdomen
* Lower body lifts: sagging of the abdomen, buttocks, groin and outer thighs
* Medial thigh lift: sagging of the inner, outer and mid thigh
* Arm lift: sagging of the upper arms

The best way to assess and give true advice would be an in-person exam. Please see a board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in aesthetic and restorative plastic surgery.

Best of luck!






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Answered by Jaime S. Schwartz, M.D., F.A.C.S.

I appreciate your question.

Surgical body contouring following major weight loss removes excess sagging fat and skin, while improving the shape of the underlying support tissue. The result is a more normal appearance with smoother contours.

Dramatic weight loss has many benefits. But after weight reduction surgery, or any substantial amount of weight loss, the skin and tissues often lack the elasticity to conform to the reduced body size.

Body contouring procedures may include:

* Facelift: sagging of the mid-face, jowls, and neck
* Breast lift: sagging, flattened breasts
* Tummy tuck: apron of excess skin hanging over the abdomen
* Lower body lifts: sagging of the abdomen, buttocks, groin and outer thighs
* Medial thigh lift: sagging of the inner, outer and mid thigh
* Arm lift: sagging of the upper arms

The best way to assess and give true advice would be an in-person exam. Please see a board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in aesthetic and restorative plastic surgery.

Best of luck!






Published on Jul 11, 2012


Edward Domanskis M.D.

Published on Feb 24, 2016

Body contouring encompasses many things like shaping of different areas like the breasts, abdomen with breast implants, breast reduction or even uplift and abdomen with tummy tuck and/or liposculpture. I even do more by doing muscle etching!

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Answered by Edward Domanskis M.D.

Body contouring encompasses many things like shaping of different areas like the breasts, abdomen with breast implants, breast reduction or even uplift and abdomen with tummy tuck and/or liposculpture. I even do more by doing muscle etching!

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Mark E. Mason, MD, FACS

Published on Feb 24, 2016

This is a general term, which can include liposuction and/or tummy tuck procedures. Body contouring may involve only liposuction over various areas of the body, and most commonly this would include any combination of liposuction of the stomach, flanks, inner/outer thighs, and buttocks. Many times patients will choose to undergo a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) procedure along with liposuction of the flanks to regain their curves.

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Answered by Mark E. Mason, MD, FACS

This is a general term, which can include liposuction and/or tummy tuck procedures. Body contouring may involve only liposuction over various areas of the body, and most commonly this would include any combination of liposuction of the stomach, flanks, inner/outer thighs, and buttocks. Many times patients will choose to undergo a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) procedure along with liposuction of the flanks to regain their curves.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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