Body contouring is the name given to a set of surgical procedures designed to remove excess skin and stubborn deposits of fat while improving the shape and proportions of the body. Body contouring is most commonly performed after dramatic weight loss due to surgery or changes in lifestyle.
The procedures involved in body contouring are highly individualized according to each patient’s aesthetic goals, and may include a facelift, breast lift, tummy tuck, brachioplasty (arm lift), thighplasty (thigh lift), or others.
AM I A CANDIDATE FOR BODY CONTOURING?
As we age, our skin loses elasticity and deposits of fat gathered in specific parts of the body become more difficult to reduce or eliminate. If surgery or a lifestyle change has led to major weight loss and you find that some areas of the body sag or you have noticeable excess skin, body contouring may be an ideal solution.
Candidates should be in generally good physical health, non-smokers, and without any medical conditions that may affect the healing process. You should also reach your weight-loss goals before undergoing body contouring. If you believe that body contouring may be for you, schedule a consultation with a plastic surgeon board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM YOUR CONSULTATION
At the Plastic Surgery Clinic of Chicago, we understand that each patient’s aesthetic goals are unique. Dramatic weight loss can lead to a healthy increase in self-esteem and confidence, but excess and sagging skin can be a hindrance to your self-image.
When you schedule a consultation with our practice, you will speak with a board-certified plastic surgeon that specializes in aesthetic surgery of the face, breast, and body. You and your plastic surgeon will review your medical history to ensure that you are a good candidate for body contouring, and your surgeon will suggest treatment options that are right for your body type and goals. We will never perform any procedure unless we are certain that it is the best course of treatment for you.
HOW BODY CONTOURING IS PERFORMED
To begin, a general anesthetic is administered to ensure comfort during the procedure. The process itself varies according to the individual needs of the patient. Incision sites for body contouring are usually larger than most plastic surgery procedures due to the removal of excess skin; however, your plastic surgeon will place the incisions as strategically as possible and attempt to conceal them within natural folds and contours of the body.
Body contouring is usually performed in stages. Your plastic surgeon will outline each stage and discuss the particular process for each individual procedure during your consultation. The procedures typically involved in body contouring may include:
The details and process for each of these procedures can be read by clicking the link above.
RECOVERY AFTER BODY CONTOURING
The recovery period is different for each of the procedures that may be involved in body contouring. Most of these procedures are performed on an outpatient basis, so patients will usually be able to return home the day of surgery. Your plastic surgeon will prescribe pain medications and give specific instructions for post-surgical care. It is very important to follow all of these instructions to mitigate any potential risks that are associated with any of the procedures involved in body contouring.
Each subsequent stage of body contouring can be performed after the previous stage has fully healed. Results of each procedure are usually apparent right after surgery, but the full aesthetic results may not be visible until swelling and bruising subsides, which may take six to eight weeks.
POTENTIAL RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH BODY CONTOURING
Any surgical procedure involves some potential risks; in general, the risks of the procedures involved in body contouring may include:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Hematoma (blood clot)
- Changes in skin sensation
- Skin discoloration
- Scarring
At the Plastic Surgery Clinic of Chicago, we take every precaution to avoid potential complications by employing the safest and most innovative techniques. You can further reduce the potential for risk by carefully following all instructions from your plastic surgeon, both before and after a procedure.
WHAT DOES BODY CONTOURING COST?
Due to the highly individualized process of body contouring, the associated cost varies too widely to be able to give an average. The cost may further be affected by your location, your plastic surgeon, and the surgical center at which the procedure is performed. Be sure to speak to your plastic surgeon during your consultation about the cost of body contouring, including any payment options that may be available. Medical insurance rarely covers the cost for body contouring, since it is considered a cosmetic procedure.
SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION
If you are bothered by sagging or excess skin after major weight loss, body contouring may be right for you. If you would like to know more about the procedure, or if you have questions about body contouring, schedule a consultation with the Plastic Surgery Clinic of Chicago. We will be happy to speak with you and perform an evaluation to see if body contouring is the best fit for you and your aesthetic goals.
All surgical procedures by the Plastic Surgery Clinic of Chicago are performed at top hospitals in Chicago and CMS or AAAASF-certified surgical centers for safety.
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Midterm follow-up on this lovely #rhinoplasty patient who wanted nasal surgery to improve her nasal breathing but also to improve the aesthetics of the nose. Fixing the crooked nose is a challenge in rhinoplasty and on the bird’s eye view, you can visualize improvement in the dorsal aesthetic lines. Dorsal aesthetic lines are two curvilinear light reflex lines that travel from the inner eyebrow to the tip of the nose on frontal view. On profile view you can see a nice profile with the dorsal hump removed. Posted with permission.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #cosmeticsurgery #rhinoplasty #hybridrhinoplasty #septoplasty #crookednose #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
Honored to lead the Midwestern Association of Plastic Surgeons (MAPS) as president for 2021-2022 with this group of esteemed colleagues on the board with me. MAPS is a plastic surgery society that was founded in 1961 to foster the development of plastic surgery in the Midwest region and involves plastic surgeons and plastic surgery programs from the states of Kansas, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, and Wisconsin. We are currently planning our annual meeting which will take place in Chicago on May 20-21st. The meeting will have renowned plastic surgeons from all over the United States to share ideas and to advance our specialty forward.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #MAPS #cosmeticsurgery #craniofacialsurgery #microsurgery #aestheticsurgery #handsurgery #pediatricsurgery #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery #burnsurgeryspecialist
Happy for this mother of 2 who wanted to improve the contour and aesthetics of her abdomen and waist with an #abdominoplasty or #tummy tuck. After children, women can experience rectus diastasis or separation of the abdominal muscles as the uterus expands. During a tummy tuck, plastic surgeons will address this separation by stitching the muscles back together. In the post-operative photos you can visualize the muscles re-positioned more centrally. Additionally, we will perform liposuction, remove excess abdominal skin and re-set the belly button. Posted with permission.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #cosmeticsurgery #tummytuck #abdominoplasty #rectusdiastasis #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
Asian upper blepharoplasty or “double eyelid surgery” is a variation of an upper eyelid lift or upper blepharoplasty procedure where the upper eyelid crease is raised and more defined. Additionally, the epicanthal fold or skin that covers the inner corner of the eye can be removed depending on the patient’s goals. The goal of this surgery is not to necessarily create an occidental appearing eye but to maintain the patient’s features and create the appearance that the eye is larger and more refreshed. Posted with permission.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #cosmeticsurgery #blepharoplasty #eyelidlift #asianblepharoplasty #doubleeyelidsurgery #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
It’s amazing how a small surgery can have a large impact on a person’s facial proportions. This patient underwent a #genioplasty or chin augmentation and #neckliposuction to improve the aesthetics and balance of the lower 1/3 of the face. In the post-operative photos, the patient’s face appears less round, more angular, and the lower 1/3 more proportional with the middle and upper 1/3 of the face. Posted with permission.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #cosmeticsurgery #genioplasty #chinaugmentation #neckliposuction #craniofacialsurgery #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
Six month follow-up on a natural #otoplasty procedure or #earpinning procedure. Plastic surgeons board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery have pioneered the techniques used today for ear pinning surgery. The surgery entails improving the definition of the ears and setting the ears closer to the scalp. The patient reports feeling more confident in the size, shape, and symmetry of his ears in social and work settings. Posted with permission.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #otoplasty #earpinning #prominentears #ears #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery #cosmeticsurgery
6 month follow up on a #malerhinoplasty patient who wanted his dorsal hump removed, the nose straighter, and the tip less bulbous. The patient underwent a #primaryrhinoplasty where the dorsal hump was removed, the entire nose was straightened, and the tip refined. Pay close attention to the tip of the nose, in male rhinoplasty we try to avoid over rotating the nose or making the tip “upturned”. This maneuver feminizes the nose. Posted with permission.
#rhinoplasty #malerhinoplasty #plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #cosmeticsurgery #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
This patient is 3 months from a breast augmentation with gel implants. The patient’s goals were to go from an A cup to a D cup but to still look natural. In the post-operative photos you can see that the patient has improved volume, more projection, and a natural result that fits her frame. Posted with permission.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #cosmeticsurgery #breastaugmentation #gelimplants #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
Happy for this patient who wanted to look and feel more rested and youthful. The patient underwent a lower facelift and neck lift to improve the aesthetics of the lower 1/3 of the face and neck. In the post-operative photos you can see improvement in the jowls, the contour of the jawline, and the neck. Posted with permission.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #cosmeticsurgery #facelift #necklift #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
Just a little hi def liposuction and abdominal etching before sweater weather.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #liposuction #liposculpture #cosmeticsurgery #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
Happy for this patient who wanted to look less tired, more youthful, and natural. The patient underwent an upper and lower #blepharoplasty or #eyelid lift. In the post-operative photos, you can see improvement in the “bags” under the eyes, the deep crease between the eyelids and cheek, and loose skin. Posted with permission.
#plasticsurgeon #plasticsurgery #cosmeticsurgery #blepharoplasty #eyelidlift #botox #fillers #fattransfer #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
Proud of our research team for getting 4 abstracts accepted for podium presentations at the American Society of Plastic Surgeons 90th annual meeting. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons is one of the oldest and largest plastic surgery societies in the US and internationally. The membership requirements are strict, requiring each member to have completed a plastic surgery residency or fellowship and be board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #ASPS #craniofacialsurgery #cosmeticsurgery #PSTM21 #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
Challenging #rhinoplasty in a thick-skinned patient with a lot of things to address. The patient wanted a reduction in the dorsal hump, a straighter nose, and a smaller nose over all. The patient underwent a dorsal hump reduction, the nose was medialized, and the tip de-projected or pulled closer to the face and refined. Still her nose that fits her ethnicity but more balanced and refined. Posted with permission.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #cosmeticsurgery #rhinoplasty #nosejob #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
This mother of 2 wanted a #mommymakeover to get her pre-baby body back plus more. The patient underwent a #BBL and breast augmentation. In the post-operative photos you can see the snatched waist, the abdominal etching, and improved contour of the hips and buttock. Posted with permission.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #cosmeticsurgery #BBL #breastaugmentation #gummybear #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
Happy for this mother of 3 who wanted improvement in the size, shape, and symmetry of her breasts. The patient underwent a breast augmentation with 400 cc gel implants. In the post-operative photos you can see restoration of volume and improved shape and symmetry. Posted with permission.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #breastaugmentation #breastimplants #gummybear #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
Neck liposuction or neck lift? This patient underwent neck liposuction and liposculpture of the jawline. In the correct patient, less invasive procedures can be very effective in achieving great results. Happy for this patient and his new look. Posted with permission.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #cosmeticsurgery #neckliposuction #necklift #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
My fellow Chicago Booth alumni will appreciate this post. It was a great night for the Illinois Society of Plastic Surgeons where we had Professor Jean-Pierre Dube speak about “The Chicago Booth Approach to Pricing”. Dr. Dube is the James M. Kilts Distinguished Service Professor of Marketing at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and he is the director of the Kilts Center for Marketing. Dr. Dube discussed strategies on how to use marketing models and analytics to price medical services and medical products.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #cosmeticsurgery #chicagobooth #chicago #kiltscenterformarketing #pricing #marketing #mba #chicago
I don’t usually post rhinoplasty results this early but she was looking so good so early that I had to share. This patient with thick skin is 6 weeks out from a primary ethnic rhinoplasty but already showing a positive impact from the surgery despite the long road to recovery. Posted with permission.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #rhinoplasty #nosejob #ethnicrhinoplasty #cosmeticsurgery #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
Not getting the gym gains you want? Your plastic surgeon board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery can help. This patient underwent hi-def liposculpting and abdominal etching to improve the contour and aesthetics of his abdomen and waist. Posted with permission.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #cosmeticsurgery #maleplasticsurgery #liposuction #hidefliposuction #liposculpture #abdominaletching #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
This is a great case to highlight the importance of evaluating the chin with the nose in all rhinoplasty cases. Look at the video and focus on the nose, watch it a second time and focus on the chin, and then watch it a third time and focus on the nose and chin or the whole face. For the rhinoplasty, most of the work was focused on the nasal tip. For the chin, a reduction genioplasty was performed to narrow, lower, and set the chin back. Posted with permission.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #cosmeticsurgery #nosejob #rhinoplasty #genioplasty #chinaugmentation #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
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