Body contouring may involve a single procedure or several procedures performed as part of a single operative plan. At Dr Ellis Choy’s practice in Sydney, body contouring procedures are discussed in the context of your anatomy, options for surgical technique, healing and the physical changes that may result from surgery.
What Is Body Contouring?
Body contouring refers to a broad group of surgical procedures that address areas of the body where shape, proportion or contour may be altered through surgical intervention. These procedures can be performed across multiple regions, from the face and neck through the torso and down to the legs.
The scope of body contouring can range from relatively subtle adjustments to more extensive surgery involving larger surface areas. The target of the procedure may be skin, fat, muscle or a combination of tissues.
Types of Surgical Body Contouring Procedures
Liposuction
Liposuction is a surgical procedure that focuses on the removal of localised fat deposits from specific areas of the body. Dr Choy uses it in different regions like the abdomen, flanks, thighs, arms and neck where fat distribution may not respond to non-surgical or lifestyle efforts.
This type of body contouring focuses exclusively on fat rather than excess skin, although some types of liposuction, including laser and ultrasound-assisted techniques, can provide moderate skin tightening. The procedure may be performed as a standalone surgery or in combination with other contouring procedures, depending on the patient’s desires.
Abdominoplasty
Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) removes excess skin and fat in the abdominal region. It also frequently involves the surgical repair of separated or weakened abdominal muscles. This procedure is considered when there is a greater amount of skin laxity and excess fat than non-surgical methods can address, and when muscle separation repair is required. Abdominoplasty can vary in extent, ranging from limited approaches that address only the lower abdomen to more comprehensive surgical correction of the abdominal wall and skin.
Brachioplasty
A surgical procedure that removes excess skin and tissue along the upper arms is called a brachioplasty. The incision for this surgery extends from the underarm area toward the elbow. It is commonly considered when there is noticeable skin laxity when raising the arms that cannot be addressed with liposuction alone. Dr Choy’s surgical planning is based on the degree of skin excess and the distribution of underlying tissue.
Thigh Lift
Dr Choy can also treat excess skin and tissue in the upper leg with a surgery called a thigh lift. This surgery may focus on the inner thighs, outer thighs, or both. This procedure is typically considered when skin laxity affects the comfort, contour and proportion of the thighs.
Breast Procedures
Breast procedures are used to address physical characteristics related to tissue distribution, skin support or breast size. Options include:
- Breast Lift (Mastopexy): This is a surgical procedure that repositions the breast tissue and nipple to address skin laxity from pregnancy or ageing. Dr Choy removes excess skin and reshapes the remaining tissue without changing breast volume.
- Breast Augmentation: Breast augmentation involves increasing breast volume through the placement of implants or, in some cases, fat transfer. Surgical planning will include consideration of implant type, placement and incision location.
- Breast Reduction: The size of the breasts can be reduced by removing excess breast tissue, fat and skin. Sometimes breast reduction may also involve repositioning the nipple and lifting or reshaping the remaining tissue. This surgery can be used to address physical discomfort and aesthetic concerns.
Labiaplasty
Dr Choy uses labiaplasty to address physical characteristics such as excess tissue, asymmetry or changes that may occur due to childbirth, ageing or hormonal factors. He may use a wedge technique or a trim technique, choosing based on the patient and their aesthetic aims.
Body Lift Procedures
After major weight loss or other changes, there may be widespread loose skin. Body lift procedures are surgical interventions that address excess skin and tissue across multiple areas of the body within a single operative plan. These procedures commonly involve the abdomen, hips, buttocks and thighs, and they focus on circumferential skin laxity instead of isolated regions.
What Is Included in Post-Pregnancy Body Contouring?
Pregnancy and childbirth can result in physical changes related to skin stretching, tissue expansion, and shifts in fat distribution across several areas of the body. Some women wish to have surgery for these changes after their bodies have stabilised and they are done having children. Post-pregnancy body contouring is a customized combination of any of the surgeries above based on what the patient wants to address.
Procedures often discussed in this context include abdominoplasty to address excess abdominal skin and muscle separation, along with breast procedures to modify volume or position. Liposuction may be added to treat fat deposits that remain after pregnancy, and labiaplasty can help with labial tissue that has stretched during pregnancy and childbirth.
Types of Non-Surgical Body Contouring
Some patients wish to try non-surgical methods of tightening loose skin and treating excess fat. Non-surgical options do not provide the same results as surgery, but they can be appropriate for the right patient. We can refer you to our aesthetic clinic for non-surgical tightening procedures. Some options include:
- Thermage: This treatment applies radiofrequency energy to skin layers to support collagen tightening and gradual tissue contraction.
- Ultherapy: Focused ultrasound energy is delivered to specific tissue depths to address mild to moderate skin laxity through controlled thermal stimulation.
- Secret RF Microneedling: Microneedling is paired with radiofrequency energy to address skin texture and mild laxity.
Learn More About Body Contouring Procedures in Sydney
At the practice of Dr Ellis Choy in Sydney, we provide clear information about all of our available procedures when you come in for a consultation. We want our patients to have a thorough understanding of what each surgery or treatment can address, the risks that come with each, the recovery time and the results that can be expected. To discuss suitability, procedure planning or next steps, complete the online form or call us on (02) 8962 9388.
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