Body contouring is a popular treatment consisting of aesthetic procedures that help patients transform their appearances. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, this entails a combination of surgical and non-surgical methods to remove fat, shape areas of the body, and tighten skin while improving the shape of the support tissue underneath to achieve the desired look. It is not a weight loss treatment, as body contouring reshapes the body to get rid of excess skin and fat while contouring targeted areas selected by the patients and the surgeons for aesthetic effect.
For patients on weight loss programs, there may be areas of the body where the fat deposits are simply stubborn, even though weight reduction goals are being achieved. In this case, body sculpting can be utilized to address these areas that have been unaffected by diet or exercise so that the patient can reach the appearance they are striving for.
What is Body Contouring For
The main reason why body contouring is used is to help patients achieve their desired body that might be unattainable or difficult to fulfill, even with diet and exercise. Body sculpting procedures are also suitable for areas with excess skin after significant weight loss or sagging and wrinkled skin due to aging.
The most common areas of the body targeted for body contouring procedures include:
- Belly and sides
- Buttocks
- Arms
- Thighs
- Back
- Neck and chin
Benefits of Body Contouring
The benefits of body sculpting for patients are numerous, primarily because the process modifies their appearance in a way that matches their aesthetic goals. Cosmetic surgery experts, such as those in Plano Plastic Surgery, will use their expertise and cutting-edge techniques to deliver the results their patients are looking for.
Many patients who have undergone body contouring report benefits such as:
- More defined bodies and more well-shaped areas
- Looking younger and thinner
- Smoother skin after wrinkles and sagging areas have been removed
- Improved confidence and self-image
What are the Body Contouring Treatments Available at Plano Surgical
Plano Plastic Surgery & Spa offers a full spectrum of medical-grade aesthetic services and advanced cosmetic surgery procedures utilizing state-of-the-art surgical techniques at our cutting-edge facility to enhance, correct, and maintain our patients’ natural beauty. Our repertoire includes a selection of body contouring procedures that will address specific areas of our patients’ bodies to deliver the best results.
Tummy Tuck
Also known as abdominoplasty, a Tummy Tuck in our Plano Plastic Surgery center is a surgical procedure that will result in a flatter and tighter profile of the abdomen by addressing excess skin, fat, and lax abdominal muscles that tend to occur after major weight loss, pregnancy, or the natural aging process. This abdominal makeover procedure entails incisions across the hips to remove excess skin and tighten muscles, as well as the option to address excess skin and fat on the flanks and hips.
Power-Assisted Liposuction
Power-assisted liposuction (PAL) is a body contouring procedure that is highly refined and designed to target specific areas of the body. The technique uses a specialized device known as a vibrating cannula to efficiently remove stubborn fat deposits and break up fat cells to provide a smoother and less invasive fat extraction process, taking abdominal etching to another level. The surgeons at Plano Plastic Surgery will create small linear indentations in the fat layer to mimic the natural look of muscle definition for superior-looking results.
360 Liposuction
A full body liposuction, 360 Liposuction is an advanced body contouring process targeting multiple locations of the body to achieve a consistent silhouette befitting the patient’s desired aesthetic outcome. 360 Liposuction addresses fat deposits around the entire midsection to comprehensively sculpt the abdomen, flanks, lower back, and even reach the thighs. Along with traditional liposuction, the procedure can use Laser-Assisted technology or SmartLipo as well as Ultrasonic-Assisted Liposuction or VASER Lipo.
Banana Roll Lift
Banana rolls are the deposits located below the buttocks and above the thigh, which can be addressed by a Banana Roll Lift that targets the specific region to sculpt a smoother transition between the buttocks and thigh area. The excess fat and skin below the buttocks will be removed using a combination of liposuction and skin excision.
Brazilian Butt Lift
BBL is a popular cosmetic procedure to enhance the size and shape of the buttocks without using invasive implants, utilizing the patient’s own fat harvested from other parts of the body and purified before being carefully re-injected into the buttocks area to sculpt it into the desired contours, providing a fuller and more youthful-looking backside.
Brachioplasty
Also known as an arm lift, the surgical procedure removes excess skin and fat from the upper arms so that the limbs will look more toned and proportionate. This is ideal for patients who have sagging skin because they have undergone weight loss, aging, or due to genetic tendencies.
Bra Line Back Lift
In this procedure, excess skin and fatty tissue from the upper and middle back are surgically removed. The incision sites are positioned precisely where the bra straps are typically positioned to minimize and conceal any scars. For patients seeking to remove back rolls or sagging skin after weight loss or aging, Bra Line Back Lifts are the ideal option.
Thigh Lift
This cosmetic surgical procedure will improve the appearance of the thighs, making them look more contoured and curvaceous, by removing excess skin and also fat, particularly for individuals undergoing weight loss and exercise regimens that do not address the stubborn fat deposits in these areas of the body. With a Thigh Lift, patients will boast firmer, smoother, and more youthful-looking limbs.
How Long Does Body Contouring Last
Depending on the extent of the procedure and the body area being sculpted, Cleveland Clinic states that body contouring cosmetic surgeries tend to last between 45 minutes to several hours.
For surgical body sculpting at our Plano Plastic Surgery clinic, the surgical sites will be marked pre-operatively before the patients are positioned at the surgical table to undergo safety checks.
Anesthesia will be administered, and the surgical area will be cleaned and prepped. Local or general anesthesia will be administered depending on the type of procedure and its extent. Post-operative recovery time will be shorter with local anesthesia and longer with general anesthesia.
The operation will proceed, with the necessary incisions to access the excess fat or skin that will be removed or shaped through liposuction or other procedures. Afterwards, the incisions will be closed and dressings will be applied. After body contouring, most people can go home on the same day. After undergoing surgery, it is recommended to have someone drive you home and stay with you during the first night.
Surgical body contour recovery time can take weeks to months, depending on the extent of the work done, while non-surgical procedures have much shorter recovery times. As for how long body contouring results last, this depends on the maintenance of healthy habits after the procedure. Note that the results are not permanent and are determined by lifestyle choices made to prevent excess fat from returning to the operated areas.
Risks and Safety Considerations
Like any surgical procedure, body contouring carries certain risks, which can vary depending on the type and extent of the treatment. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and Cleveland Clinic, common risks associated with surgical body contouring include:
- Bleeding (hematoma) – Post-operative bleeding can occur and may require medical intervention.
- Infection – Although rare when performed under sterile conditions, infections can occur and may prolong recovery.
- Scarring – All surgical procedures leave some degree of scarring. Surgeons typically place incisions strategically to minimize visible marks, but scar formation can vary by patient.
- Poor wound healing or skin loss – In some cases, especially after large excisions or in patients who smoke, wounds may heal slowly or develop complications.
- Seroma (fluid accumulation) – Fluid pockets can develop under the skin and may need to be drained.
- Contour irregularities – Uneven healing or fat removal may cause asymmetry or skin irregularities.
- Anesthesia-related complications – General or local anesthesia carries its own risks, including allergic reactions, breathing difficulties, or cardiovascular issues in rare cases.
Non-surgical body contouring methods generally have fewer risks and require minimal downtime. Reported side effects may include temporary redness, swelling, bruising, numbness, or mild discomfort in the treated area. However, non-surgical options typically yield more subtle and gradual results, often requiring multiple sessions for noticeable improvement.
To ensure the safest and most effective outcome, the ASPS strongly recommends consulting a board-certified plastic surgeon. A qualified surgeon can evaluate your medical history, discuss realistic expectations, and recommend the most appropriate technique based on your anatomy and goals. Pre-operative preparation, choosing a properly accredited surgical facility, and following post-operative instructions are critical to minimizing risks and promoting a smooth recovery.
Body Contouring at Plano Plastic Surgery
At our Plano, Texas body contouring clinic our patients can expect the best treatment. Headed by Dr. Haidenberg and Dr. Yaker, who have dedicated years to honing their aesthetic surgical expertise, Plano Plastic Surgery is a premier institution offering transformative procedures along with genuine care and understanding as well as aesthetic artistry so that our patients can achieve their desired appearances.