What is Body Contouring?
Saturday, December 26th, 2009Many people associate the term “cosmetic surgery” with procedures performed on the face; with perhaps a few exceptions, the things that usually come to mind whenever cosmetic surgery is mentioned are nose surgery, eyelid surgery, and so on. However, apart from even breast enhancement, there are numerous common cosmetic surgical procedures for other parts of the body as well. We know that people have a lot of worries about their overall appearance, and this means that any unsightly or uncommon aspect of an individual’s appearance, whether it’s on the face or any other visible area, can have detrimental effects. When people have trouble with some aspect of their appearance, it can prevent them from living their lives to the fullest, and for some people, even regarding the body as opposed to the face, the only way to deal with the issue effectively is through cosmetic surgery. The majority of cosmetic surgical procedures involving the body are considered to fall under the category of “body cosmetic surgery”. These procedures are meant to change the contours of the body, usually by removing excess body fat or other tissues and/or tightening the remaining tissues.
Liposculpturing is the most popular of these procedures. In liposuction, the surgeon uses a surgical tube device called a cannula and a suction device called an aspirator to extract fat. The surgeon makes a small incision in the target area, and a certain amount of liquid – the amount is determined in consideration of several factors – is introduced so that the fat can be removed safely. Liposuction is so popular because it is a reliable way of dealing with a problem that many people experience. Liposuction is not effective as a weight-loss tactic, as the actual amount of fat eliminated is quite small; rather, liposuction is for healthy individuals who, despite targeted exercise, are unable to get eliminate fat from specific problem areas. Among these areas are the midsection, the legs, below the chin, and the love handles. There are a number of more specialized liposuction techniques such as SmartLipo and Liposculpture which have emerged in recent years and which refine the liposuction process and result in even fewer drawbacks.
The abdominoplasty, also known as the “tummy tuck,” is another popular body contouring operation. This operation aims to tighten loose skin and remove excess tissue from the abdomen, a challenge which is particularly common with individuals who have experienced significant weight loss, as well as women who have been pregnant. Depending on the extensiveness of the operation, incisions may be made in different areas. In some cases, even just one incision may be sufficient in order to carry out the operation. The navel can be raised as part of the tummy tuck procedure if necessary.
The numerous types of body lifts available are also considered body contouring procedures. These include thigh lifts and buttock lifts. Buttock lifts and thigh lifts are similar in that, in both cases, the target areas see excess tissues removed before the remaining tissues are tightened. They aim at a more youthful, tighter look to the area. A thigh lift and buttock lift can be combined with an abdominoplasty, resulting in what is known as the lower body lift. Naturally, the upper body lift incorporates the upper arm lift, which targets the “batwing” appearance that affects many women, and the breast lift, which, perhaps not surprisingly, sees the breasts lifted. The upper and lower body lift can be performed together, resulting in a “full body lift,” which is one of the most drastic cosmetic operations available.
The category of body contouring also includes certain types of implants, like buttock implants and calf implants. Buttock implants aim to increase the volume of the buttock area, and can also result in a firmer look and sensation. Some genetic issues which lead to a reduction in muscle tone of the legs are also frequently addressed through the use of calf implants. They are also often desired for purely cosmetic reasons. Calf implantation is an operation very common among bodybuilders, due to the fact that the calves are very hard to develop fully even with the “correct” training program.
Surgical procedures of any sort involve by necessity certain risks, and the patient must also adhere to a strict recovery plan. Consult with a surgeon if you would like to determine if any of these operations is a good choice for you.