Many of the most popular cosmetic surgical procedures target facial features.  However, cosmetic surgery for the rest of the body is just as important a field, which goes beyond just breast augmentation.  It’s clear that people have a lot of worries about their overall appearance, and this means that any ugly or unusual aspect of an individual’s appearance, whether it’s on the face or any other visible area, can have detrimental effects.  When people have trouble with some aspect of their appearance, it can prevent them from living their lives to the fullest, and for some people, even when dealing with the body as opposed to the face, the only way to deal with the issue effectively is through cosmetic surgery.  The term “body contouring” refers to most types of cosmetic surgery that deal with the body.  These operations seek to alter the shape of the body, which is usually accomplished by removing excess body fat or skin and by lifting the remaining tissues.

The most popular body contouring procedure is liposculpturing.  Liposuction involves the use of a surgical tube device called a cannula and a suction device called an aspirator to extract fat.  A narrow incision is made in the target area, and liquid is added to the area to balance out the quantity of fat being extracted.  Liposuction is so popular because of its effectiveness in dealing with a problem faced by many people.  It is not intended as a means of losing weight, because the actual amount of fat removed is small in mass; liposuction is actually only used as a way of getting rid of fat from specific problem areas, and is only appropriate for healthy individuals who have tried diet and exercise.  Common problem areas include the midsection, the legs, below the chin, and the love handles.  Recently, more specialized liposuction procedures such as Liposculpture and SmartLipo have been developed, which refine the liposuction process and involve even fewer drawbacks.

The abdominoplasty, also known as the “tummy tuck,” is another common body contouring operation.  This procedure aims to raise loose skin and excise unnecessary tissue from the the belly area, an issue which is especially common among people who have experienced significant weight loss, and women who have given birth.  Incisions may be made in different places according to the extensiveness of the operation.  Occasionally, even just one incision may be sufficient in order to carry out the operation.  The belly button may be raised as part of the tummy tuck operation if necessary.

Body lifts are also considered body contouring procedures.  These include thigh lifts and buttock lifts.  These are similar in that, in both cases, excess tissues are removed and the remaining tissues are tightened in the target areas.  They result in a more youthful, fitter-looking appearance to the area.  Thigh lifts and buttock lifts can be combined with tummy tucks, resulting in what is known as the lower body lift.  Conversely, the upper body lift incorporates the upper arm lift, which involves the removal of excess tissue from the back of the upper arm, and the breast lift, which targets sagging breasts and is often also done in conjunction with breast augmentation surgery in some cases.  The upper and lower body lift can be performed together, resulting in a “full body lift,” one of the most drastic cosmetic surgical procedures currently being performed.

The body contouring category also includes certain types of implants, such as buttock implants and calf implants.  Buttock implants aim to increase the volume of the buttock area, and also lend a tighter look and sensation.  Some genetic issues which involve a reduction in muscle tone of the legs can also be addressed through the use of calf implants.  They are also sometimes chosen for purely cosmetic reasons.  This is a procedure particularly popular for bodybuilders, as the calves are very hard to build up even with the “correct” training program.

Surgical procedures of any sort necessarily involve certain risks, and the patient must also adhere to a strict recovery plan.  Consult with a surgeon to find out if any of these operations is appropriate for you.