If you struggle with unwanted body fat or loose skin, as many of us do, you may be wondering if plastic surgery could be an option for you. But with so many cosmetic procedures available, you might have some questions about the differences between them and how to find out which one is right for you.
At Cosmetic Surgery & Laser Centers of El Paso, we offer a variety of body contouring procedures and can help you choose the one that’s best for your needs. This blog covers some of the most frequently asked questions about these procedures and can help you decide which might be suitable for you.
If you have more questions about body contouring procedures, give us a call and we’ll be happy to answer them or schedule your consultation with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons for you to learn more.
What Is Body Contouring Surgery?
The term “body contouring” refers to a set of plastic surgery procedures that remove excess tissue and sculpt your body. These procedures are designed to achieve more slender and defined contours.
You may have unwanted fat or skin on your body due to weight fluctuations, pregnancy, aging or genetics. Body contouring can eliminate excess fat and tighten the skin to rejuvenate and enhance the shape of your body.
What Are the Different Types of Body Contouring?
Skin Removal Procedures
Tummy tuck surgery (abdominoplasty) and body lift surgery (full body lift) are two of the most popular skin removal body contouring procedures. These can address issues like sagging and laxity in the midsection of your body.
Arm lift surgery and thigh lift surgery are designed to remove excess skin from the arms and thighs, respectively.
Fat Removal Procedures
Liposuction
Liposuction is an effective body sculpting procedure for removing excess fat to slim trouble areas.
However, liposuction cannot remove loose or sagging skin. If you have areas with noticeable skin laxity, we may not recommend undergoing liposuction alone without a skin removal procedure, as removing fat can make lax skin appear looser since there is less fat to fill it out.
Abdominal Etching
Abdominal etching is a body contouring surgery that strategically removes fat from certain areas while leaving it in other areas to enhance muscle definition. This procedure is commonly used to create the appearance of six-pack abdominals for men.
Does Non-surgical Body Contouring Work?
Many advertisements and practices claim that non-surgical body contouring procedures like CoolSculpting and SculpSure can provide the physique you desire. However, these procedures often have minimal impact on patients’ appearances and very rarely meet their aesthetic goals. While non-surgical body contouring treatments can provide some benefits, they don’t do enough for most patients to achieve the body contouring results they’re looking for.
If you suffer from sagging tissues in your abdomen and midsection, a tummy tuck or body lift is likely the best cosmetic procedure for your needs and goals.
Tummy Tuck Vs. Body Lift: Which Body Contouring Procedure Should I Get?
If You Have Excess Skin on Your Abdomen: Tummy Tuck
Tummy tuck surgery is specifically designed to address laxity in the abdomen caused by skin that has been stretched and is left sagging.
If You Have Excess Skin on Your Abdomen, Hips, Back and Butt: Body Lift
A body lift uses a circumferential incision around the lower abdomen, hips and lower back to remove excess skin from around your entire midsection and buttocks.
If You Have Stretched or Loose Abdominal Muscles: Tummy Tuck
Abdominoplasty can tighten abdominal muscles that have become stretched and separated (a condition known as diastasis recti that often occurs after pregnancy or significant weight gain in the belly). Suturing techniques bring the muscles back together to improve your core strength and correct an abdominal pooch caused by loose muscles.
If You Are Concerned About Visible Scarring: Tummy Tuck
Tummy tuck surgery uses an incision along the lower abdomen that can generally be covered by underwear or bathing suits, making visible scarring a non-issue for the majority of people. Depending on the amount of tissue you need removed, the scar may extend from hip bone to hip bone, or it may be shorter.
If You Have Lost a Massive Amount of Weight: Body Lift
After achieving significant weight loss, most people are left with loose, sagging skin on their abdomen as well as their flanks, back, butt and thighs. A body lift removes excess skin from these areas and tightens the remaining skin to create firmer, more defined and slender body contours.
What’s the Best Way to Know Whether I Need a Tummy Tuck or Body Lift?
To gain the best understanding of these procedures, what they can achieve and which is the best option for you, schedule a consultation with Cosmetic Surgery & Laser Centers of El Paso. At your appointment, you will meet with Dr. Jabor, Dr. Reynolds or Dr. Aburto to evaluate your medical history, concerns and what you hope to achieve. After your evaluation, they can help you decide on the best body contouring option for you.
Can I Combine Body Contouring Procedures Together?
Yes, you can usually combine multiple body contouring procedures into one surgery. Patients often combine a body lift or tummy tuck with liposuction to address loose, sagging skin and excess fat in their target area(s). If you’d like to combine a breast and body procedure together, that is known as a mommy makeover.
The extent of each surgery you’d like and the areas of concern will determine how many procedures you can undergo in one surgery. With extensive corrections across multiple body areas, we may recommend undergoing some of your procedures in a series rather than getting everything done in one surgery.
Learn More About Which Body Contouring Procedure Is Best for You
If you’re interested in learning about your body contouring options and which procedure(s) can help you achieve the physique you’ve always wanted, schedule your consultation with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons. At the Cosmetic Surgery & Laser Centers of El Paso, we look forward to helping you achieve your body contouring goals.
For more information or to schedule your visit, call 915-543-5600 or contact us online.
