Body Contouring

Arm Lift

Also known as brachioplasty. An upper arm lift, or brachioplasty, reshapes the upper arm to tighten loose skin and remove fat that often creates a “bat wing” appearance under the arm. Removing the excess skin caused by weight loss or natural aging can tighten loose skin that extends from the underarm area to the elbow; liposuction is sometimes used in combination to achieve the best results. Every year, thousands of people undergo successful upper-arm-lift surgery and are pleased with the results.

When to consider an upper arm lift:

• If your weight is normal, but you feel your shape is marred by underarm laxity.
• If you have lost a massive amount of weight and are left with excess upper-arm skin and fat that may resemble bat wings.
• If you are willing to accept a scar in exchange for shapelier arms.

For more information visit The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and The American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Buttock Augmentation

Also known as Brazilian butt lift or butt implants. Buttock augmentation is a procedure that reshapes and enhances your gluteal area, providing you with an uplifted and shapelier buttock profile. In the past ten years, this procedure has become increasingly popular worldwide, with shapely buttocks often seen as a symbol of femininity and sensuality. The most frequent methods for enlarging and reshaping your buttocks are fat grafting using your own natural fatty tissue (popularly referred to as the Brazilian butt lift), or with buttock implants.

When to consider buttock augmentation:

• If your buttocks are too small for your body frame and you want a more balanced look
• If your buttock shape is too flat or square and you would like more curves and a more youthful appearance
• If weight loss or the aging process has left your buttocks loose, sagging, or flat
• If clothes and swimwear do not fit properly on your figure

For more information visit The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and The American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Liposuction

Also known as lipoplasty and body contouring surgery. Liposuction surgery sculpts your body, eliminating unwanted pockets of exercise and diet-resistant fat from the buttocks, hips, love handles, saddlebags, thighs, calves, ankles, breasts (including male breasts), back, arms and neck. Liposuction is often combined with other procedures to create a desired shape and is one of the safest and most popular cosmetic procedures.

When to consider liposuction:

• If you have localized areas of fat deposits that are disproportionate with the rest of your body.
• If you would like more definition or a sleeker contour in certain areas of your body.
• If your skin elasticity is good (Liposuction removes fat, but does not tighten skin).

For more information visit The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and The American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Mommy Makeover

Also known as post-pregnancy surgery. A mommy makeover is any combination of cosmetic procedures that restore your before-pregnancy appearance, typically focusing on the breasts and abdomen. A typical makeover might include a tummy tuck, a breast procedure such as an augmentation, lift or reduction and liposuction of the legs, arms or trunk. The term “mommy makeover” may be new, but the procedures involved have a long, successful, and safe track record.

When to consider a mommy makeover:

• If your pregnancy has negatively affected the size and shape of your breasts
• If you’re distressed about your sagging tummy and stretch marks
• If pockets of fat on your waist, abdomen, arms or thighs do not improve with diet and exercise

For more information visit American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and The American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Lower Body Lift

Also known as belt lipectomy. Dramatic weight loss, weight fluctuation or natural aging frequently results in sagging skin in areas below the waistline. Lower-body-lift surgery tightens and sculpts the buttocks, back of the thighs, outer thighs, inner thighs, hips and abdomen. Loose skin that looks aesthetically displeasing or causes mobility restrictions is removed. A lower body lift is appropriate if you are near your ideal weight and may precede or follow an upper body lift procedure. Every year, thousands of people undergo successful lower-body-lift surgery and are pleased with the results.

When to consider a lower body lift:

• If you have had dramatic weight loss due to bariatric surgery or dieting.
• If you have relatively thin layers of fat below the skin in the hip, thigh, abdomen and buttock areas.
• If overhanging skin in your lower body restricts your mobility and/or causes painful chafing, rashes or infection.
• If you are distressed by sagging skin in your lower body

For more information visit The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and The American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Body Contouring after Massive Weight Loss

Also known as post-bariatric surgery or body contouring after massive weight loss. Plastic surgery after dramatic weight loss reduces excess skin and fat left behind after major weight loss. Its goal is to restore attractive proportions by removing the sagging skin around the face, neck, upper arms, breasts, abdomen, buttocks and thighs that creates a misshapen contour. Although these procedures leave scars, most patients find them to be an acceptable tradeoff for an improved appearance.

When to consider plastic surgery after dramatic weight loss:

• If you have experienced dramatic weight loss from bariatric surgery or diet and exercise.
• If you have sagging skin in multiple areas, including the face and neck, breasts, arms, abdomen, back and thighs.
• If your weight has stabilized following bariatric surgery or diet and exercise. This may be 18 months or more after your weight loss.

For more information visit The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and The American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Tummy Tuck

Also known as abdominoplasty. Tummy-tuck surgery or abdominoplasty, can flatten your abdomen by removing loose, excess fat and skin and tightening muscles in the abdominal wall. It can also remove some if not all of the stretch marks in your lower abdomen. It is popular following pregnancy, massive weight loss or whenever a flabby abdomen with weak muscles impairs body contour. Most patients report improved self-esteem as a result of this procedure.

When to consider a tummy tuck:

• If you’ve got flab, stretch marks or excess skin in your abdomen that does not improve with diet or exercise.
• If the shape of your abdomen has been affected by pregnancy or massive weight loss.
• If you feel that your protruding abdomen is unattractive.
• If your self-confidence is marred by your stomach contour.

For more information visit The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and The American Society of Plastic Surgeons.