Body contouring surgery covers a range of procedures designed to refine, reshape, and enhance the contours of your body, increasing your self confidence and comfort in your own skin.
Procedures such as tummy tucks, liposuction, body lifts, arm lifts, and thigh lifts each target specific areas of your body. These surgeries are especially beneficial if you have undergone significant weight loss and are dealing with excess sagging skin and fat or weakened tissues that diet and exercise alone can't fix.
Explore Body Surgery Procedures
Liposuction & Liposculpture
Liposuction and Liposculpture are transformative cosmetic surgeries that reshape your body's contours. Liposuction targets stubborn fat in areas like the abdomen, thighs, and arms, enhancing your figure. Liposculpture, a refined form of liposuction, goes further by artistically reshaping and redistributing fat, ideal for detailed areas like the face.
Before deciding on these procedures, it's crucial to consult with a qualified surgeon. They can assess your suitability for the procedure and help set realistic expectations, ensuring the best possible outcome for your body type and goals.
The ideal candidates are those who maintain a stable weight, enjoy overall good health, and have a positive outlook coupled with realistic expectations regarding the results. It's important to understand that these surgeries are not about weight loss, but rather about refining and sculpting the body by addressing stubborn pockets of fat that persist despite a healthy lifestyle. It is advisable to have a comprehensive consultation with an APRASSA registered plastic surgeon. They will listen to your goals, review your medical history, and determine if you're a suitable candidate for these procedures.
While liposuction and liposculpture are generally safe, like any surgery, they do carry some risks.
Common Side Effects:
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Bruising and swelling, typically subsiding within a few weeks.
Rarer Complications:
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Prolonged swelling
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Risk of infection
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Uneven contours or asymmetry, potentially requiring corrective procedures
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Fluid accumulation beneath the skin, sometimes needing further intervention
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Changes in skin sensation, like numbness or tingling, which can be temporary or permanent
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Damage to deeper structures (nerves, blood vessels, muscles, lungs).
It's important to discuss potential risks with your surgeon.
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The recovery period for liposuction and liposculpture varies, depending on the procedure's extent and your health. Most patients are able to return to work and normal activities within a few days to two weeks. Expect common post-surgical effects like swelling, bruising, and soreness, which usually improve within a few weeks. Your surgeon will provide specific post-operative care instructions to aid in your recovery.
Tummy Tuck
A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is designed to enhance the abdomen's appearance. It involves removing excess skin and fat and often tightening abdominal muscles for a firmer, flatter profile. Ideal for situations where diet and exercise don't yield expected results, it's not a weight loss replacement but rather a contouring solution. This surgery is particularly beneficial for women post-pregnancy, addressing changes like muscle stretching and skin expansion that can't be reversed naturally.
The ideal candidate for a tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is typically someone in good health, maintaining a stable weight, and with realistic expectations about the outcomes. This procedure is well-suited for those struggling with excess skin or stubborn fat in the abdominal area that diet and exercise alone haven't resolved. It's also beneficial for individuals who have experienced significant body changes, like post-pregnancy or after substantial weight loss, leading to weakened abdominal muscles or stretched skin. It's important to understand that a tummy tuck is not a weight loss solution but a contouring procedure to enhance and refine your body shape.
Undergoing a tummy tuck involves several potential risks, and being aware of them is crucial. These include:
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Anaesthesia complications, such as adverse reactions or breathing difficulties
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Risk of infection, which might require further treatment
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Bleeding, poor wound healing, or the need for additional surgeries are also possibilities
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Changes in skin sensation, like numbness, are common but usually temporary.
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Scarring is inevitable, though its visibility varies.
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Additionally, fluid accumulation under the skin may occur, requiring drainage.
It's important to discuss these risks with your surgeon, who will outline measures to minimise them and address any concerns you may have.
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Recovery from a tummy tuck varies for each person. Generally, you should expect to rest and avoid heavy activities for two to three weeks. Common post-surgery experiences include swelling, discomfort, and bruising. Your surgeon will give you specific instructions to help your recovery and promote healing. Follow-up appointments are important to track your progress. The full results of the surgery, like a firmer abdomen, typically become visible after a few months as your body fully recovers. It's important to closely follow your surgeon's advice and attend all scheduled follow-ups for the best healing outcome.
Labiaplasty
Labiaplasty is a procedure that adjusts the size or shape of the labia minora, the inner skin folds of the vulva. Reasons for this surgery vary, including relieving discomfort from enlarged labia and improving aesthetic appearance. It's often considered post-childbirth, due to aging, or for those with naturally prominent labia. It's essential to recognize that labia size and shape naturally vary.
Ideal candidates are those in good health, feeling physical discomfort in daily activities, sports, or intimacy, or experiencing psychological distress about their appearance. This surgery can improve your comfort and self-esteem. It's vital to have realistic expectations and discuss your situation with an APRASSA registered plastic surgeon to see if labiaplasty is right for you.
Labiaplasty, like any surgery, has risks, though they're rare when the procedure is done by a skilled surgeon.
Key risks include:
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Bleeding, particularly if you're on blood thinners
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Infection, which can be mitigated with proper care.
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Changes in sensation, can occur, potentially affecting sexual sensation
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Scarring is also a risk, even though incisions are usually small and hidden
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Asymmetry may happen if sides heal differently
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Sometimes, the aesthetic results may not meet expectations.
It's important to discuss these risks and your expectations thoroughly with your surgeon before proceeding.
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Labiaplasty recovery varies, but typically, you can return to non-strenuous work within a week. Expect some swelling and discomfort, manageable with medication and ice packs. To aid recovery, avoid vigorous activities, sexual activity, and tampon use for 4-6 weeks post-surgery. Your surgeon will provide detailed post-op instructions for a smooth and comfortable healing process.