Body contouring refers to an array of procedures that are done to provide proportionality and shapeliness to the body. Areas include the arms, chest, abdomen, hips, flanks, thighs and legs. No area of the body is immune to the aging process and long term effects of gravity, and skin elasticity decreases with time. Likewise, fatty tissue tends to deposit over time in the flanks, abdomen, thighs and upper arms. All of these factors contribute to changes that are associated with advancing age.
The same changes are also seen, to a much greater degree, in patients (both young and old) who have experienced significant weight loss through diet and exercise or bariatric surgery. Body contouring procedures focus on reversing the effects of the aging process and/or extreme weight loss with respect to all areas of the body. Body lifting procedures, such as the thigh lift, abdominoplasty, arm lift, and buttocks lift improve body lines and overall general appearance. These procedures are generally performed to remove redundant skin. Liposuction (traditional or ultrasonic) can also be used in these areas and other areas of the body, i.e. the back, hips, etc.
Contouring can leave scars, but the extent depends on a patient’s skin tone, elasticity, procedure, and healing. Dr. Self spends a great deal of time educating prospective patients on all the aspects of the post-operative result.