Information on Body Contouring

Find a cosmetic surgeon or plastic surgeon that offers body contouring surgery including liposuction, tummy tuck surgery, also known as abdominoplasty, and buttock augmentation, calf augmentation and more. Learn about their credentials; view before and after liposuction photos, and tummy tuck photos make an informed decision and schedule a consultation. Learn more about plastic surgery and body contouring and decide for yourself what's best for you at LookingYourBest.com.

Liposuction

Liposuction is the process of contouring the body through the removal of fat. A long, hollow, blunt, metal canula (tube) is inserted through small incisions and fat is removed using a vacuum suction devise. This allows sculpting those diet and exercise resistant areas to achieve the figure that you desire. Liposuction can help sculpt the body including the abdomen, hips, buttocks, thighs, knees, upper arms, chin, cheeks and neck. Although no type of liposuction is a substitute for dieting and exercise, liposuction can remove stubborn areas of fat that don't respond to traditional weight-loss methods.

Who are good candidates for liposuction?
The ideal patients are those who are close to their ideal body weight and in good physical condition. Liposuction is not a substitute for weight loss - it is a contouring procedure for areas of the body that are diet and exercise resistant. These would include the abdomen, hips, and thighs in women and the abdomen and flanks in men. The face, breasts, back, and calves are also areas that liposuction can be effective. Finally, the quality of skin can also be a factor since skin retraction will occur after liposuction. In most cases, liposuction can be an excellent procedure with a relatively quick recovery and noticeable improvements in body contour.

What are the different types of liposuction?
Traditional liposuction uses mechanical vacuum assisted aspiration to remove fat through metal canulas. The other commonly used method - ultrasonic liposuction - involves the use of ultrasonic vibration to explode fat cells. The fatty material is then removed by vacuum suctioning. This method generally reduces the overall operative time but there is the risk of burn injury and even permanent irregularities if areas of fat are dissolved where not intended. Another method of liposuction combines traditional liposuction combined with an oscillating canula to help facilitate breakdown and aspiration; this is called power assisted liposuction (PAL).

What are the incisions used in liposuction?
Liposuction uses a number of very small incisions - about ¼ inch each - placed at various sites to allow insertion of the canula. These are often not even closed since they will seal all by themselves and fade to almost nothing in about a year.

Find plastic surgeons that offer liposuction in Chicago Illinois, San Antonio Texas, San Diego California, San Francisco California, Miami Florida, Los Angeles California, Beverly Hills California, New York City New York, Dallas Texas, and Houston Texas. If you're considering liposuction, this web site will give you a basic understanding of the procedure -- when it can help, how it is performed and how you might look and feel after surgery. View liposuction before and after photos.

Tummy Tuck Surgery - Abdominoplasty

Tummy tuck surgery also known as an abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure to remove excess skin and fat from the stomach area and to tighten the muscles of the abdominal wall. A tummy tuck can dramatically reduce the appearance of a protruding abdomen. Often after pregnancy or weight loss, excess skin and stretch marks deform the once flat and tight abdomen. But, despite diet and exercise, loose skin still remains. Tummy tuck surgery is particularly helpful to women who have been through a pregnancy and have stretched their skin and abdominal muscles beyond the point where they can return to normal. Loss of skin elasticity in older patients, which frequently occurs with slight obesity, can also be improved. The best candidates for a tummy tuck are men or women who are in relatively good shape but are bothered by a large fat deposit or loose abdominal skin.

What are the incisions used in a tummy tuck?
Tummy tuck surgery or abdominoplasty is the surgical excision of excess skin to the abdomen. An ellipse of skin is removed between the umbilicus (navel) and the hairline of the mons area. This also means that C-section scars are removed as well. This skin above the umbilicus is then lifted off the abdominal wall muscles up to the level of the rib cage and then pulled down to the level of the mons and closed. Before this is done, however, the loose abdominal wall muscles are tightened - which, also narrows the waistline. It does produce a permanent scar.

What is a mini tummy tuck?
In selected patients, a limited skin excision can be performed, which can then be combined with direct liposuction of the abdomen (this is usually not advised in a traditional abdominoplasty as it can significantly compromise the blood supply and increase risks of wound development). The umbilicus is not cut out but only relocated and the abdominal wall is tightened before completing the procedure. Although the scar length is shorter, the final result is usually not as tight and so most candidates for a tummy tuck elect to undergo the traditional abdominoplasty.