Body plastic surgery procedures, also known as body contouring, are perhaps the most common group of cosmetic operations in the United States. Body contouring includes liposuction, tummy tucks (abdominoplasty), “mommy makeovers”, and surgery following significant weight loss. These procedures improve your figure so you look great in or out of clothes both at work or at play.

The body undergoes physiologic and anatomic changes with age, weight gain or loss, and pregnancy. The skin will stretch and contract to accommodate the underlying contours of the body. Over time, however, the capability of the skin to regain its original shape can be overwhelmed leading to irreversible changes. When this happens, patients may complain of loose or excess skin, stretch marks, or abdominal bulging. Similarly, as we age, our body stores fat differently. It is not uncommon for certain pockets of fat to develop in problem areas that do not respond to diet or exercise.

Prior to embarking on a particular operation or procedure, it is important to understand which procedure might be appropriate for you. This is essential because you don’t want to be persuaded into doing something that is not in your best interests. In general, the amount of extra fat and/or extra skin will determine the best option to achieve the desired result. Abdominal bulging, also known as rectus diastasis, is most common after multiple pregnancies and requires surgical correction.

Whatever the reason, body contouring plastic surgery can provide significant psychological, aesthetic, and personal benefits for the right candidate. To find out if liposuction, tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), or “mommy makeover” are right for you, please make an appointment with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons, Jerome Liu MD or Tom Liu MD.