Body Contouring


 

BODY CONTOURING IN NEW YORK, NY

Body Contouring encompasses a vast array of procedures which are used to improve the contours of many areas of the body including the arms, chest, abdomen, hips, flanks, thighs, buttocks and legs. No area of the body is immune to the aging process and long term effects of gravity. Skin elasticity decreases with time. Fatty tissue deposits itself in the flanks, abdomen, thighs and upper arms.

All of these factors contribute to the unsightly changes associated with advancing age. These same changes are also seen, to a much greater degree, in patients young or old who have experienced significant weight loss through diet and exercise or bariatric surgery. Body Contouring procedures are focused on reversing the effects of the aging process and or extreme weight loss with respect to all areas of the body. Body Contouring Surgery frequently incorporates Liposuction as an adjunctive procedure.

I have been performing Body Contouring for over 20 years, and my experience, technique and expertise provide a potent combination to achieve the best possible results.

 

BODY CONTOURING CONSULTATION

The consultation process (plan to spend at least one hour), includes an in-depth discussion about your desires with regard to your abdominal shape and contour after Body Contouring Surgery. It is the surgeon’s task to explain all aspects of the operation, the pros and cons, and most importantly, the concept of realistic expectations with regard to your postoperative result. I prefer to meet a second time with each patient prior to surgery to assure complete understanding of the her desires from her Body Contouring operation.

If you have concerns about your abdominal, back, buttock or extremity regions after weight loss or pregnancy, or your diet and exercise regimen helped you lose weight and tone your body everywhere but certain troublesome areas, then Body Contouring Surgery is an excellent option for you. This type of surgery can enhance your youthful appearance and improve your overall self confidence and self-esteem.

 
 

42 year old female before and 3 months after Bilateral Breast Lift/Reduction and Tummy Tuck with Flank Liposuction.

 
 
 
Before and after photos

*Each patient is unique and individual results may vary.

 

CANDIDATES FOR BODY CONTOURING SURGERY

The best candidates for Body Contouring Surgery are healthy women who are realistic about what the surgery can afford after a complete consultation. Body contouring surgery can be performed for various body types.

The best results are usually achieved in patients who have plateaued to an ideal weight after diet and exercise and are non-smokers. Although planned future pregnancies are not a specific contraindication to having Body Contouring surgery, you may wish to consider postponing your surgery until childbearing is completed.

Pregnancy will pretty much reverse many of the gains made in your abdominal region from your Body Contouring Surgery. Scars are an inevitable consequence of this type of surgery, but I close the skin with great care and offer advice and support regarding scar care after surgery. I place the scars in locations easily camouflaged or hidden by clothing.

 

BODY CONTOURING OPTIONS

Brachioplasty, or Upper Arm Lift, addresses the sagging and fatty deposits in the upper arms, which presents usually at about age 50 or after extreme weight loss. Excess skin and fat is removed through incisions placed on the inner aspect of the upper arm. See my Brachioplasty page to learn more about this procedure.

Abdominoplasty, or the classic “Tummy Tuck” operation addresses the deposition of fat associated with the aging process in men and women. Additionally, the ravages of pregnancy causing stretching of the skin and abdominal musculature can be reversed through the removal of excess skin and the tightening of the abdominal muscles. It is a highly effective and necessary procedure in those patients who have experienced significant weight loss and are left with rolls of redundant abdominal skin. In some cases these patients also demonstrate significant excess skin of the posterior lower back region, requiring a Circumferential Abdominoplasty or Total Body Lift. This may be done in one or two stages and may be covered by private insurance. A letter of medical necessity and preoperative photographs are usually required by most insurance companies before authorization will be given.

Other body lifting procedures, such as Thigh Lift and Buttock Lift, may also be employed to improve body lines and overall general appearance. These procedures are generally needed in those people with inelastic skin or the extreme weight loss population who would not respond well to liposuction techniques alone. Significant redundant skin can collect in the thigh and buttock regions, and my technique greatly improves the shape, contour and integrity of those regions. I sometimes employ traditional or ultrasonic liposuction techniques in conjunction with these procedures to obtain a more natural looking result. In each of these procedures the length and texture of the scarring is significant, and must be fully understood by the patient.

 

THE BODY CONTOURING PROCEDURE

The Body Contouring operation is performed in the hospital, or in my state of the art, fully certified operative suite in my office located on the Upper East Side in NYC. Depending on the procedure, I utilize either general anesthesia, or local anesthesia with sedation, administered by one of our experienced, board certified anesthesiologists. Body contouring recovery after surgery takes 1-2 hours, with my RN at your side at all times. For your safety, I require that a friend, family member or private duty nurse accompany you home and spend at least one night with you. You will be given a follow-up appointment with me in 1-3 days.

Most of my patients return to work within 7-14 days postoperatively, and pain after surgery is well controlled with pain medication. My staff and I will counsel you regarding all aspects of scar care to achieve the best possible, least noticeable scars.

I have a great deal of experience with all aspects of Body Contouring Surgery, and comfortably possess the required expertise to allow me to achieve the best possible results for you. If you have had one or more pregnancies, lost a significant amount of weight, or cannot lose those pouchy areas with diet and exercise, you may be a candidate for Body Contouring Surgery.

 

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING YOUR BODY CONTOURING RECOVERY

After the operation, you may have surgical drains which usually remain in place for approximately 5-7 days, sometimes drains are not needed. Your abdomen will be wrapped in an abdominal binder. The dressings are usually changed a few days following the procedure and stitches are ready to begin being removed approximately one week later. The healing process may be affected by smoking and concurrent medical problems such as diabetes.

Occasionally, small areas of open skin at the corners of the incisions may occur. These are typically treated with antibiotic ointments and heal without great concern. After 1 or 2 weeks, the abdominal binder is replaced by Spanks for another 2 weeks.

Ready to schedule your consultation? Contact my office or fill out my contact form today!

 

BODY CONTOURING FAQS

WHY DO THE SCARS FROM BODY CONTOURING SURGERY HAVE TO BE SO LONG?

The Body Contouring scars must be that long because it is the only way to obtain enough exposure to remove the necessary amount of redundant skin and fatty tissue. The scars can be noticeable in places like the inner arms from Brachioplasty or thighs from Medial Thigh Lift, but the trade off is happily accepted by most patients. The abdominal scar is placed very low, and easily hidden by clothing or bikini bottoms.

 

CAN I GET BODY CONTOURING SURGERY TO LOSE WEIGHT INSTEAD OF DIETING?

Body Contouring Surgery is not a weight loss tool. Best results are realized when patients lose as much weight as possible through diet and exercise or gastric surgery beforehand. However, after one or more pregnancies, diet and exercise cannot always correct the abdominal wall weakness, and some form of Body Contouring Surgery is then the best option.

 

CAN I GET PREGNANT AFTER MY BODY CONTOURING SURGERY?

While pregnancy after Body Contouring Surgery is possible, it will reverse many of the improvements achieved by the surgery. I recommend considering Body Contouring Surgery after you have had all your children.

 

IF I HAVE A HERNIA PRESENT ON MY ABDOMEN, CAN IT BE REPAIRED AT THE SAME TIME AS MY BODY CONTOURING SURGERY?

Yes, it is quite common to have an abdominal or umbilical (belly button) hernia repaired at the same time as Body Contouring Surgery. Usually a general surgeon performs the hernia repair.

 

HOW SOON CAN I START WORKING OUT AFTER MY BODY CONTOURING SURGERY?

There should be no strenuous exercise for 4 weeks after Body Contouring Surgery, then light
workouts may begin after clearance by your surgeon.

Location

Madison Plastic Surgery
815 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10021
Phone: 212-628-7600
Fax: 212-628-5799

Office Hours

Get in touch

212-628-7600