Body Contouring
What Is Body Contouring?
The phrase “body contouring” is one that is regularly used in the aesthetic industry to describe a collection of procedures that can be employed to create a shapelier silhouette. Individuals who have recently lost weight or whose weight has fluctuated over time may be interested in body contouring at Magnolia Plastic Surgery and MedSpa to diminish fat, tighten the skin, and sculpt certain areas of the body. Additionally, body contouring can be used for individuals who are aging and find that diet and exercise alone no longer provide the shape they desire. Plastic surgeon Dr. Heath Charvet performs many body contouring procedures, including abdominoplasty, liposuction, breast lift surgery, and more. The options for sculpting your new body are endless. Contact our practice in New Orleans, LA to schedule your consultation.
What Are the Benefits?
Here at Magnolia Plastic Surgery and MedSpa, our patients enjoy a number of benefits from our body contouring services, including:
- Restoring proportion to your curves after weight loss
- Exponential increases in your self-efficacy and confidence
- Catalyzing body goals to support your fitness journey
- Enhance your current muscle tone
Am I a Good Candidate for This Procedure?
Patients get excited about body contouring for addressing a number of different concerns. You may be a great candidate for body contouring if you have loose skin, droopy body parts (such as the buttocks or breasts), or stubborn fat that is not responsive to diet and exercise. The hips, flanks, neck, abdomen, and lower back, for example, can each collect fat, creating uneven and unsightly bulges. The best candidates for this procedure are our New Orleans, LA patients who can commit to maintaining a healthy weight and who want a firmer, more sculpted silhouette.
How Is Body Contouring Performed?
After your private consultation, Dr. Charvet will work with you to create a body contouring treatment plan that will help you meet your aesthetic desires. This could consist of both surgical and nonsurgical treatments. Surgeries, such as liposuction, abdominoplasty, and breast lift or augmentation, typically require the use of general anesthesia. The goal during these procedures is to create very small incisions that can be concealed behind clothing, as well as diminish unwanted fat and extra skin, leaving a slimmer, tighter contour. After your surgery, you can expect to be sent home to heal and recover afterward. It is common for patients to undergo many procedures at once on multiple areas of the body, in which case an overnight stay may be necessary. Body contouring is designed to sculpt the body so you will notice a slimmer, tighter body and a more defined profile. To further enhance your results, you can combine nonsurgical treatments, like BOTOX® Cosmetic or a chemical peel, to provide a sculpted, youthful look.
What to Expect After Body Contouring
If your body contouring treatment plan includes a surgical procedure, you can expect to be sent home to rest and recover upon completion. Nonsurgical treatments typically do not require a recovery period. It is common for our patients to combine several surgical procedures on several areas of the body, which may require an overnight stay. Body contouring is meant to sculpt your body, so whether you choose nonsurgical or surgical treatments or a combination of both, you can expect a thinner, trimmer silhouette and a more curvaceous physique.
Body Contouring FAQS
Do I need a breast lift or breast implants?
Whether you should get a breast lift, implants, or both depends on your specific concerns and goals. Often a breast lift will enhance the form and fullness of your breasts with no need for implants. Dr. Charvet will assess your physical condition and listen to your goals at your consultation, then decide whether you would benefit from a lift, implants, or an augmentation, plus a lift.
Can a breast lift fix asymmetry?
A lift can improve asymmetry in your breasts if they’re different in size, firmness, or level of sagging. Dr. Charvet will assess the appearance and physical condition of your breasts during your consultation and discuss how a breast lift can help. In your lift, he will adjust the tissue — so your breasts are equal in size and position for better symmetry.
Can I get a tummy tuck with another surgery?
Patients often combine a second cosmetic surgery with abdominoplasty to get more dramatic improvements. At your initial consultation with Dr. Charvet, talk to him about your aesthetic goals so a comprehensive treatment plan can be developed to match your goals. You might combine abdominoplasty with a thighplasty for a lower body lift or other areas for body contouring. If you are trying to improve your body after having children or losing a lot of weight, you might be a candidate for after weight loss surgery or a mommy makeover.
Does liposuction address cellulite and loose skin?
Surgical liposuction only corrects excess fat in the body. For loose skin, Dr. Charvet may recommend combining liposuction with a surgical body lift. Lipo is often performed along with skin tightening surgery, such as a tummy tuck, thighplasty, or arm lift, to give you your best results. To correct cellulite, there are many minimally invasive and nonsurgical treatments. During your consultation, tell Dr. Charvet about all your concerns like loose skin and cellulite so a comprehensive treatment plan can be developed.
Will I have scars after body contouring?
Since most body contouring options involve invasive surgery, incisions will need to be made and stitched. These will cause scars; however, Dr. Charvet does his best to minimize their appearance. This starts with making small, thin incisions in the natural folds of your body or in less visible areas. After your surgery, Dr. Charvet or a member of his team will teach you how to care for your stitches — so they heal flat and fade.
A Redefined Shape
Whether you want perkier breasts, a fuller bottom, a slimmer waist, or a tighter tummy, body contouring at Magnolia Plastic Surgery and MedSpa can give you the shape you want. Contact our New Orleans, LA practice to arrange a consultation so we can help you create a custom treatment plan that meets your aesthetic needs and desires. Plastic surgeon Dr. Heath Charvet has an artistic and talented eye and has helped many men and women reach their goals. We look forward to welcoming you to our office.