Body Contouring Surgery - Sarasota, FL

Body contouring surgery is any cosmetic surgery that removes fat, excess skin, and creates a tighter, slimmer figure. Individuals who have lost weight, have completed pregnancy, or who are experiencing the signs of aging, may benefit from a body contouring procedure. Common treatments include breast lift surgery, liposuction, abdominoplasty, butt and thigh lift surgery, as well as brachioplasty, or arm lift surgery. Our Sarasota plastic surgeons are body contouring specialists who have years of experience, blending surgical skill and an artistic eye to create outstanding results. The physical change can be dramatic for many and the surgical outcomes long lasting.

The process of body contouring is specifically designed to help patients reshape, tighten and firm up problem areas of the body where loose and sagging skin is present. Common areas addressed are the neck, arms, breasts, abdomen, hips, flanks, thighs, buttocks, and knees. It is likely that our surgeons will consider a number of procedures to be combined into one surgery (where necessary). This typically involves the upper body parts or lower body parts that are staged together to minimize the risk of infection and shorten the recovery time.

During surgery, the surgeon will trim away and remove excess skin and the underlying tissues will be tightened. Liposuction is often a part of this process. All procedures are performed under general anesthesia. The duration of the surgery will depend on how many procedures were combined in a single operative setting. Recovery from this surgery is slow and challenging, but the improvements that are visible create a significant boost of self-confidence for the majority of patients. 

Procedures are combined and scheduled in stages depending on the overall physical health of the patient and the body areas that need to be addressed. Typically, the grouping will be staged with a combination of either the upper body parts (abdomen, breasts, arms, neck, face), or lower body parts (buttocks, thighs, flanks, knees). This staging helps reduce the risk of complications, such as blood loss and infection, since the surgery is limited to an area. This also shortens the length of time for recovery. The combination of procedures will be outlined during the initial consultation with the surgeon.

Individuals who have lost a significant amount of weight will need to be at or near their goal weight in order to proceed with a body contouring procedure. In addition, body contouring should also be reserved for those who have already had children and are not planning to become pregnant in the future. This is a recommendation only because it preserves the toned appearance created through surgery without compromising the surgical outcome. 

A mommy makeover is a procedure that is in the same context of body contouring. It is a coined term for a group of body contouring procedures that address areas of the body specifically affected by pregnancy. These are the areas around the breasts, abdomen, hips and buttocks. A “mommy makeover” usually involves some combination of tummy tuck, liposuction of the waist, breast enhancement (lift and or implants), and labiaplasty. Again, this is only a general term for body contouring reserved for those who have completed one or more pregnancies.

In general, body contouring procedures will result in scarring. Most patients report that once the incisions heal, the scarring is no longer a primary worry as the benefits of this life-changing surgery are so significant. An experienced plastic surgeon will make every effort to minimize the scars by carefully placing the incisions inconspicuously. Post-surgery care is also very important. Topical creams will be prescribed to help in the healing process. Over time, the scars will lighten and blend in with the patient’s natural skin tone.