There are many plastic surgery techniques designed to reshape the body contours through the removal of excess skin or fat. These procedures can dramatically enhance your silhouette by focusing on problem areas that are not as sculpted as you would like. Body contouring techniques are particularly popular among the Fort Lauderdale and Broward County area patients of board-certified plastic surgeon Nathan Eberle, M.D., D.D.S., of the Weston Center for Plastic Surgery, who are seeking to counteract the physical effects of aging, weight fluctuations or pregnancy.

Body Contouring at a glance

WHAT IS BODY CONTOURING?

Body contouring is a series of different procedures to help you achieve the sculpted and toned body you desire. Body contouring is often used to remove fatty deposits lodged in areas of the body that have been resistant to diet and exercise. There are several different procedures used in body contouring, depending on the area of the body being treated and the amount of fat that needs to be removed.

BENEFITS OF BODY CONTOURING

Body contouring is a dream come true for many patients who have struggled to obtain their ideal weight and muscle tone through diet and exercise, but have trouble shedding the last bumps and bulges that their body has stored tightly over many years. These problematic-fatty deposits or areas of excess skin resist diet and exercise and prevent a smooth, clean and taut silhouette. Body contouring procedures are specifically designed to correct the unsightly flaws from problem areas, such as the abdomen, hips, thighs, upper arms, back and the pubic or genital region. For many patients, body contouring restores a more youthful appearance and boosts confidence and self-esteem. Clothes fit better and patients become more comfortable with their bodies after body contouring procedures.

WHAT ARE THE BODY CONTOURING OPTIONS?

Each surgery is designed to enhance a specific portion of the body that you might consider to be a problem area. For instance, arm lifts and thigh lifts focus on reshaping these areas by removing excess skin and fat. Many body contouring surgeries focus on the abdominal area. These options include a body lift, mini tummy tuck or tummy tuck. There are also surgical techniques designed especially for women, including labiaplasty genital surgery and a mommy makeover, which is a combination treatment designed to enhance a woman’s body following pregnancy. Finally, for patients with stubborn areas of excess fat, liposuction can sculpt nearly any body area.

IS BODY CONTOURING RIGHT FOR ME?

If you are looking for a way to shape your body, making a problem area appear smoother and more toned, body-sculpting surgery may be right for you. Common focus areas for patients include the abdomen, thighs, and upper arms. Many candidates for these procedures have lost a significant amount of weight or have been pregnant, which can have undesirable effects on the body. Body contouring may also be performed to counteract the loose skin that can occur as a result of aging. Adults who are in good general health can undergo most body contouring procedures.

HOW INVOLVED ARE BODY CONTOURING PROCEDURES?

Body contouring surgeries usually require general anesthesia and may take anywhere from two to eight hours. Generally, techniques focusing on the abdominal area tend to be more involved than those reshaping other body areas. Some procedures, such as liposuction, are considered to be minimally invasive while others, such as a mommy makeover, are considered to be major surgery. Before your surgery, be sure to discuss the specifics of your procedure so that you understand how involved it is considered to be.

HOW LONG IS THE RECOVERY AFTER BODY CONTOURING SURGERY?

The recovery process varies greatly depending on the procedure you have chosen, the extent of surgical reshaping required to meet your goals and other factors. After some procedures, such as liposuction, patients can generally return to work within a few days. However, other body sculpting procedures require a lengthier recovery process, typically one to two weeks away from work. The most involved techniques, such as abdominoplasty and mommy makeovers, can require three to four weeks of recovery. During this time, expected side effects include tenderness, soreness, swelling and bruising.

HOW MUCH DOES BODY CONTOURING COST?

The cost of body sculpting surgeries varies significantly depending on the specific procedure you chose and your surgical goals. Generally, procedures focusing on a small area of the body are less expensive than those requiring reshaping of a larger portion of the body. Financing is offered.

WHAT SHOULD I DO NEXT?

If you live in Fort Lauderdale or Broward County and are looking to sculpt your body and want to know more about your body contouring options, contact board-certified plastic surgeon Nathan Eberle, M.D., D.D.S., at the Weston Center for Plastic Surgery today for your consultation.