What is body contouring?
Body contouring, also known as body sculpting or body shaping, is a cosmetic surgical approach that integrates various techniques to improve body shape and treat excess and sagging skin. This provides you with a tighter and more refined look where it is needed.
In our lives, in addition to the aging process, we often go through significant figure changes such as pregnancy and body weight variations. Surgical body contouring can serve as a solution to restore or improve our figure. More than just a cosmetic enhancement, body contouring plays a crucial role in regaining self-confidence, comfort and well-being. The various procedures are often an integral part of the wish fulfillment of a physical and mental transformation after weight loss and pregnancy, which ultimately leads to increased self-confidence and fulfillment.
Various body contouring procedures
- Breast lift
- Tummy tuck
- Belt lift (body lift)
- Upper arm lift
- Thigh lift
- Liposuction
- Autologous fat transplantation
- Energy-assisted skin tightening
Who is suitable for body contouring?
Basically, you are suitable for body contouring if you not only want aesthetic improvements but are motivated to pursue a healthy lifestyle. These cosmetic surgeries are often sought after for weight loss, with others wanting to restore their figure after pregnancy.
Body contouring is best for you if you have a stabilized body weight, optimal health and a positive outlook on life. Ideal candidates for body contouring are non-smokers with realistic goals and a commitment to maintaining a healthy lifestyle through good nutrition and fitness.
What are the benefits of surgical body contouring?
- Elimination of excess skin and fat
- Improvement of the silhouette
- Increasing self-confidence and self-esteem
- Promise of long-lasting results
- Improvement of physical complaints
What happens during the consultation?
During the consultation we discuss your ideas and wishes in detail. Openness and honesty about your expectations, medical history and concerns are crucial. We will discuss reasons for surgery, available treatments, and possible outcomes. I may show you photos, take measurements, and examine your general health. Actively participate, ask questions, and address concerns to ensure a clear understanding of the procedure, its potential outcomes, and associated risks, and to make you familiar and comfortable with the chosen treatment plan.
How is the operation performed?
Breast lift
Lifting and shaping the breast by removing loose skin and adjusting the position of the breast envelope and nipple, also known as mastopexy.
Tummy tuck
Tightening of the abdominal muscles and abdominal wall with liposuction and removal of excess abdominal skin for a harmonious result.
Belt lipectomy (body lift)
Surgical procedure to remove excess skin and fat in the waist area above the buttocks, flanks and abdomen (tummy tuck). The procedure has a significant effect on lifting the outer thigh and buttocks region and eliminates excess skin in the hip pad area in addition to the effects of the tummy tuck.
Upper arm lift
Removal of excess skin on the upper arm, also known as brachioplasty.
Thigh lift
Removal of fat and lifting of skin on the thighs. The medial thigh lift achieves optimal results with a linear scar from the inner groin area to the knee, depending on the extent of the skin excess.
Recovery and result
After your body contouring procedure, the wounds will be dressed with simple bandages and you will wear a compression garment. You can shower the day after surgery. During recovery, avoid stretching the operated body part, physical exertion, or heavy lifting. For tummy tucks, I recommend not standing completely upright and initially sleeping with your knees slightly bent. Early mobilization and adequate hydration are crucial to minimize the risk of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.
The effects of body contouring are visible almost immediately, but the final results may take a year or longer to fully manifest. Acceptance of scars is often a necessary aspect of achieving improved body shape. Typically, body contouring results are long-lasting as long as you maintain a consistent weight and good figure. While natural aging may result in some loss of the positive effects of body contouring over time, a significant portion of the initial improvement should be retained.
If you would like more details about the different body contouring procedures, please contact me or read other blogs.