I hold an holistic approach to body contouring. Our brain summarizes and grades the components of facial beauty. In my assessment, I follow steps that are similar to the way the brain processes beauty - these steps include the four “S” categories: Symmetry, Shape (Proportion), Size (Volume), and Surface (Skin Texture).
The term “body contouring” usually refers to the torso (the breasts are addressed separately), upper and lower limbs. The most common challenges to achieve an attractive figure include: excessive skin, fat deposits, belly distension and skin texture issues.
It is important to understand that body contouring procedures do not replace weight loss or maintaining adequate nutrition and physical exercise routine. Therefore, the best results are achieved after the patient has reached normal weight.
Excess skin is the result of chronic stretching of the skin from underlying increased fat deposits. Weight gain and pregnancy are the most common cause for excess skin. As we age, the skin loses its ability to retract back after weight loss or pregnancy and remains loose. This correlate directly with its elasticity which is also nutrition dependent. That is also the reason we see the most severe forms of excess skin in massive weight loss patients who have a combination of high degree of fat loss with poor nutrition.
Fat accumulates mostly under the skin. When we gain weight, fat grows throughout our skin, but not in an even fashion, and in a different way between men and women. The torso zones of fat accumulation include the lower abdomen (apron), the waists, the buttocks and hips, and the chest rolls.
The slimness of the belly area is not dependent only on the amount of skin fat. Loss of tightness of the abdominal wall (which is the muscles and connective tissue encircling the abdominal organs) leads to bulging of the belly forward (as shown in the image). Unfortunately, other proposed solutions like physical exercise, diet and even liposuction cannot correct this condition. The only aesthetic solution for this condition is performed with abdominoplasty (known as a tummy tuck) where the abdominal wall is exposed and the surgeon tightens is with sutures.
Skin irregularities and loosening are common following repeated weight gain and loss, pregnancy and is also associated with familial predisposition. This condition is extremely difficult to treat, and can be partially improved at best. The best option to treat this condition is to surgically remove it (not always possible), and then the patient can achieve skin tightening effect together with reduction of stretch mark surface. This is usually done by a tummy tuck procedure. The second option is more conservative and involves chemical peeling to the stretch marks area to rejuvenate the skin. This option is more suitable for patient with light skin. Recovery time for chemical peeling takes about 1-2 weeks, and the procedure is repeated in order to achieve optimal results.