Now among the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures, liposuction (also known as "lipoplasty" or "suction lipectomy") sculpts the body by removing undesirable fat from areas around the thighs, knees, buttocks, waist, hips, abdomen, chin, cheeks, neck and upper arms.  Ultrasound-assisted liposuction (UAL), tumescent technique and the super-wet technique are among the various techniques used to provide precise results.

Liposuction is not a substitute for a healthy diet and exercise, but the procedure can eliminate areas of fat that are unresponsive to typical weight-loss methods.

Generally referred to as a "tummy tuck", abdominoplasty removes excess fat and skin from the abdomen.  The procedure also helps to flatten the abdomen by tightening the surrounding muscles.  Women with stretched abdominal areas due to previous pregnancies can benefit considerably from abdominoplasty, although they should have completed their childbearing.  Older individuals whose skin has lost some of its elasticity and are slightly obese can experience an improvement in their abdominal area.

If you are in generally good physical shape but are concerned about abdominal fat deposits or loose skin that does not respond to diet and exercise, the procedure can potentially reduce or even eliminate a protruding abdomen.  Abdominoplasty can produce a permanent scar which can possibly extend to both sides of your hips, although the scar will likely be located below the bikini or bathing suit line.

Brachioplasty is a surgically re-contouring of the arms.  The procedure is usually performed under general anesthesia. 

Excessive skin is removed, sometimes in conjunction with a liposuction procedure to remove fat from the arms. For removal of large amounts of skin, an incision is required that runs from near the elbow to the armpit. The incision is placed in the most inconspicuous location (inner arm toward the back), but some scarring may always be visible.  More moderate skin removal is sometimes possible with a smaller incision which is limited to the armpit area to try to keep the scar better hidden.

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A “lifting” of the entire trunk (abdomen, flanks, and back) and sometimes of the buttocks and thighs, is sometimes needed, especially after large amounts of weight loss. Excessive skin and loose tissues are removed, and the contour is improved by “lifting and tightening” in a circumferential fashion.

This is usually an extensive procedure that requires general anesthesia, at least a short hospital stay, and a more involved recovery period than other standard body contouring procedures. For the right person, the rewards can be great, completing the process following weight loss and restoring improved contour.

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