Body Contouring

Plastic Surgery in Charleston, SC

Body contouring describes many procedures that can help you achieve the body shape and appearance you desire. If you have bulges of fat that just will not go away, or loose, hanging skin, body contouring can help. While these procedures are not a substitute for a healthy lifestyle, body contouring is the perfect complement to dieting and exercise.

To learn more about body contouring at Port City Plastic Surgery in Charleston, South Carolina, please call or email us today to schedule a consultation.

Body Contouring Procedures

There are three main types of body contouring procedures we practice at Port City Plastic Surgery: liposuction, tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), and body lifts.

Liposuction targets fat pockets in the body that are resistant to diet and exercise. A tummy tuck removes loose skin in the abdominal area and tightens abdominal muscles that have grown slack. Body lifts target loose skin that hangs down, usually as a result of weight gain and loss. Several body contouring procedures can be performed together to target multiple areas.

Liposuction

Liposuction is the most popular type of body contouring procedure. It removes fat from the body using suction. Dr. Brian G. Widenhouse inserts a cannula (narrow tube) through tiny incisions. Suction is applied through the cannula to remove fat cells permanently. Liposuction can change your body's shape, but weight gain may affect your results. The quality of your results can also be affected by the elasticity of your skin. Dr. Widenhouse will evaluate the condition of your skin during your consultation. He will tell you whether liposuction can give the results you desire.

At Port City Plastic Surgery, we offer two different types of liposuction. Tumescent liposuction, uses an injection of fluids to make fat removal easier. Liposuction can be performed under local anesthetic or with IV sedation. SmartLipo™ is the latest method of liposuction that uses laser energy to break up and dissolve fat that is trapped under the skin. SmartLipo™ also helps to stimulate collagen production. The production of more collagen will help you achieve a tighter, more toned appearance.

Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, can produce dramatic results. Sit-ups or other exercises cannot tighten skin. They may not even tighten abdominal muscles. A tummy tuck removes excess skin (often including stretch marks) and fat and tightens your abdominal muscles to give you a more slender figure. A tummy tuck is not a replacement for a healthy lifestyle, but it helps contour and flatten the abdominal area when diet and exercise alone are not enough to achieve the appearance you desire.

Body Lifts

Body lifts help men and women with loose, hanging skin following weight loss. An arm lift or brachioplasty removes loose skin in your arms. A thigh lift removes excess skin in your inner and outer thighs. A buttock lift can restore the youthful contour to your buttocks.

Dr. Widenhouse also has experience with body lift procedures for people after massive weight loss due to bariatric surgery or dramatic lifestyle changes. Post-weight loss body contouring procedure is complex and may require a significant healing period, but the results are often life-changing.

If you would like to learn more about which body contouring procedure might best be able to help you get the cosmetic results you desire, please schedule a consultation with Charleston, South Carolina plastic surgeon Dr. Widenhouse.