Body contouring is a type of surgery that is done to remove excess skin from various areas of the body. This surgery is commonly performed on those who have experienced substantial weight loss and are left with excess skin they do not want. Body contouring can be done as an all-over procedure that removes skin from several areas or as a partial procedure that removes excess skin from only certain problem areas of the body. These are the different types of procedures that can be performed during body contouring surgery.

Arm Lifts 

An arm lift is done to remove excess skin that hangs down from the upper arms. Once a person has lost weight, this area of the body is often left loose and hanging. It can create the appearance of the person having bat wings. However, when you have an arm lift, the skin is surgically removed and then stitched together so the arms have a tighter, firmer appearance.

Breast Lifts 

Losing a lot of weight also tends to leave the breasts looking saggy and deflated. However, the appearance of the breasts can be improved with a breast lift. This form of body contouring removes excess skin and repositions the breasts so they are more upright and symmetrical. Some who have contouring in this area also opt to have breast implants.

Tummy Tucks 

Tummy tucks are also a common procedure performed during body contouring. This is done by cutting away excess skin and then suturing the remaining skin back together so the tummy has a flatter, firmer appearance once it has healed. If the patient has excess skin around their sides and at the back of the waist, this area may also be contoured at the same time the tummy tuck is performed.

Thigh Lifts 

The thighs are another area that may have excess skin once a person has lost a large amount of weight. Body contouring can be performed on both the inner and the outer thighs to remove excess skin and give the thighs a firmer, smoother look and feel.

Buttock Lifts 

If the patient has sagging skin on the buttocks, this can also be removed through body contouring. This lifts up the buttocks and gives them a more shapely look and also improves the appearance of the buttocks for those who want their buttocks to be curvy instead of flat.

Body contouring is also performed on those who have sagging skin due to aging. Creating a tighter, firmer look for certain areas of the body can give the patient a more youthful appearance. Body contouring is considered a cosmetic procedure that can be quite expensive and may not be covered by all health insurance plans. However, some surgeons who perform this service are willing to work out an affordable payment plan for their patients.