Are you considering body contouring? This leaflet will provide information on the various  body-shaping and contouring options.

For a biocompatible and non-allergenic cosmetic procedure, fat transfers offer a natural way to touch up and round out the edges of small disproportionate body features.

Fat transfers have been used for more than 100 years to fill in facial flaws such as hollowed cheeks and sunken eyes or indented scars. Today, fat transfers are used to augment many other areas of the body, including the buttocks, bicep, tricep, calf muscles, breasts, hands, and penis. Fat transfers are considered the traditional method for surgically rounding out the edges of a small localized area of the body as compared to the newer body implant approach in which implants are used to produce a more shapely appearance required by a larger area of the body. 

The beauty of a fat transfer is that the materials used to augment the desired body part are your own fat cells. This makes the procedure unquestionably biocompatible and non-allergenic. Also, a body fat transfer feels more natural than a body implant. The goal of the procedure is to improve the appearance of the localised body-part area that needs improvement.

Exercise is the best way to improve the appearance of your body; however, aging and genetics may make workout programs unrealistic for certain small areas of the body. Genetically, fat may be unevenly distributed causing disproportional features. Patients in their mid 30s to 70s who have lost volume in a specific body area may benefit from fat transfers. Realistic expectations are extremely important in the decision for a fat transfer. Talk to your plastic surgeon about alternative treatments that may also be suitable for your condition.

Body fat transfers are most often performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon. The location of the procedure may be the doctor's office, outpatient centre, or hospital. The procedure may take up to two hours. The procedure is often performed under "twilight sedation," which includes a combination of medications that make you feel sleepy and numbed, but awake. The procedure may be performed under general anaesthesia, while you are asleep. You should discuss the type of anaesthesia with your doctor. The waiting time before returning home depends on the amount of fat that is transferred.

The procedure varies depending upon the technique used by the doctor and the area to be treated. The most commonly treated locations are the buttocks, chest, calf, and bicep or tricep muscles. The procedure can be described in three steps:

Antiseptic is applied to two areas: 1) the location where the fat will be removed and 2) the treated area, where the fat will be injected.

The fat cells are typically removed from the buttocks, stomach, or thighs using liposuction. The doctor uses a cannula (a thin hollow tube) that is connected to a vacuum device to remove fat cells.

After the fat cells are suctioned by the cannula, the fat cells are processed and purified by the doctor. In some cases, the doctor will use a technique that spins the fat cells before the cells are injected beneath the skin. Some doctors do not spin fat. Different doctors may use different techniques of spinning fat. A bandage may be applied.

It takes three to four days for the first capillaries in the body to reach the transplanted fat cells. Unfortunately, during those three to four days, up to 60 percent of the transferred fat cells will die. For this reason, doctors will overfill the treated area to allow for the dissipation of transferred fat cells. Since many of the transferred fat cells may eventually be reabsorbed in the body, the results may be unpredictable. The results of fat transfers may last about three years. Many cases result in the transfer lasting a lifetime. Each time the procedure is repeated, more fat is accumulated in the treated area. This tends to offer longer-lasting results.

After the procedure, you may need someone to drive you home. You may also need someone to help you with daily living activities during the time specified by your doctor. The doctor will instruct you to limit activity, including exercise, for up to three weeks after the procedure. Within two to three days after the procedure, the bandage is removed by the doctor. Patients can begin to shower after the bandage is removed.

There is typically some swelling and some bruising. The swelling may last for several weeks. However, bruising will subside within a few days. The treated area may be reddened within the first 48 hours. Discomfort can be managed with oral medications. Scabs may form at injection site as well. Unmanageable pain or any symptoms that are progressive or abnormal should be reported to the doctor immediately. Normal activities can often be resumed almost immediately, except that you are advised to stay out of the sun. Patients should notice a marked improvement after the procedure. However, final results may not be evident for several months or longer.

Complications are possible with any medical procedure, but complications from fat transfers are infrequent. The most common, but infrequent, complications of fat transfers include uneven skin texture, infection, abscess, excessive bleeding, or scarring. If fat is injected into two or more areas, patients may have asymmetry whereby the fat appears uneven in different areas. Treatment for complications can range from oral medications to surgical intervention, depending upon the extent of the complication. Following the doctor's instructions before and after the procedure can reduce the risk of complications.

Body implant treatment is a proven method of corrective plastic surgery. Today, a select few plastic surgeons are performing this procedure, which enhances muscular appearance and corrects imbalanced areas of the body.

Implants have been used in orthopaedic surgery for about 100 years to manufacture prosthetic devices. Today body implants are also used in cosmetic plastic surgery to change the appearance of the buttocks, chest, calf, and bicep. Body implants provide the appearance of muscular strength and volume.

Implants are made of a firm semi-solid rubberized silicone material that fits in front of the bones without being absorbed by the body. The material is approved by the FDA and has demonstrated a low risk of complications over many years. Implants come in a variety of standard sizes and shapes.

Obviously, it is wisest to improve the appearance of your body with exercise. But aging and genetics can interfere with exercise programs. The preferred surgical option has been fat transfers that build the appearance of volume in the muscle. Body implants were recently introduced as an alternative.

Patients typically choose body implants to treat a genetically imbalanced body shape. These imbalances can undermine self-esteem. Implants help renew confidence and a more positive self-image. Other patients, typically in their mid 30s to 70s, choose implants because they have lost volume in certain areas of the body from the natural aging process.

Candidates for body implants include patients with defects such as Poliomyelitis (infection causing paralysis), Spina Bifida (disease that affects mobility), or Club Foot (birth defect that can impact calf appearance). Also, a weakened appearance of reduced bone structure or muscle can be improved with body implants.

Of course, body implants do not stop the aging process. Body imperfections can appear throughout your lifetime. Implant surgery will not produce a perfect body, but it can correct disproportionate features, whether from genetics or aging.

The location of the procedure may be the doctor's office, outpatient surgery centre, or hospital. Time in surgery is about two hours. The procedure is typically performed under "twilight sedation," which includes a combination of medications that make you feel sleepy and numbed, but awake. The procedure may be performed under general anaesthetic, while you are asleep. Patients return home within hours of the procedure.

The body-implant procedure can vary depending upon the type of implant and the area to be treated. The most common body implants are buttocks, chest, calf, bicep, or tricep. A patient may require one or more types of implants to achieve optimal results.

During the buttocks implant procedure, an incision up to three inches will be made between the midline of the buttocks. The surgeon will form a pocket for the implant to fit in and insert the implant through the incision. The implant is positioned within a soft tissue area of muscle and fat. This area will form scar tissue with the goal to help keep the implant in place. Stitches that dissolve will be placed at the incision area. A bandage will be applied to reduce swelling and discomfort. Patients return home within two hours of the procedure.

After the procedure, you will need someone to drive you home and to help with daily living activities for as many days as possible. Moving your body may be difficult throughout recovery. Discomfort can be managed with oral medications. Within a week, body movement should be more manageable. Swelling and bruising may occur but typically subside within days after the procedure. The doctor will instruct you to limit activity including exercise for up to four weeks after surgery. Within two to three days after the procedure, the bandage is removed by the doctor. You can begin to shower after the bandage is removed. Full results of the surgery may require several months to be evident.

During the calf-implant procedure, an incision is made behind the knee in the natural crease line. The surgeon will form a pocket for the implant to fit in and insert the implant through the incision. The implant can be positioned on both the upper inside or outside of the leg within a soft tissue area of muscle and fat. This area will form scar tissue that will help keep the implant in place. A bandage will be applied to reduce swelling and discomfort.

Moving your calves may be difficult throughout recovery. You'll be instructed to elevate your legs for at least two days. However, you will also be advised to walk as much as possible to reduce the risk of blood clotting. Within three weeks, you should feel comfortable with longer walks. The bandage will be removed within two to three days, after which time you can shower again. Bruising or the appearance of shininess will subside within a few weeks. Exercise is restricted for one month.

During the bicep or tricep implant procedure, an incision will be made in an inconspicuous place at the top of the armpit. The surgeon will form a pocket for the implant to fit in and insert the implant through the incision. The implant is positioned within a soft tissue area of muscle and fat. This area will form scar tissue to help keep the implant in place. A bandage will be applied to reduce discomfort.

Moving your arms may be difficult for up to seven days. The doctor will instruct you not to lift your arms for at least two days. In two to three days, the bandage is removed and you will receive specific exercise instructions for your arms. The doctor will instruct you to limit activity and limit exercise for approximately four weeks.

Complications are possible in any medical procedure. Swelling and bruising often occur and will subside within several days. Scarring will show, but can be treated with other procedures. A preventive scar medication may be prescribed to reduce the risk of excessive scarring. Infection is infrequent and can be treated, or in worst case, can require removal and reinsertion of the implant at a later date. Bleeding can produce excessive bruising or a hematoma (blood clot), which requires physician intervention and causes a longer recovery.

Muscle or nerve damage is one of the rarest complications. Nerve damage is often temporary, and resolves itself after six months or more. Asymmetry is a possible complication that may be remedied with additional procedures such as a fat transfer. Excessive firmness and shifting of the implant are also possible complications that can create ongoing discomfort, especially in the case of buttocks implants.
There are other risks associated with implants, so be sure to ask your doctor about complications and discuss how they should be remedied. The full results of the procedure may require several months.

The ideal candidates for Body Contouring are patients in relatively good physical shape, but have excess skin or fat in the abdominal area that is resistant to exercise. This includes the laxity of underlying muscles due to pregnancy which makes it very difficult for mothers to return their abdominal area to a flat appearance. For these women, the skin and muscles have stretched beyond the point where they can naturally return to their normal location and shape.

Other candidates can include patients who have lost a lot of weight and have excess skin in the abdominal area. The normal aging process can also cause skin to sag or lose elasticity, making many older patients excellent tummy tuck candidates.

Good candidates understand the procedure and have realistic expectations. The repair and tightening of the abdominal muscles, along with the removal of the excess skin, may greatly improve body contour and appearance. Improved appearance may improve self-confidence and may change the way others interact with you. However, the surgery cannot bring back your youth or create the ideal figure. There is also no guarantee that other people will treat you differently after surgery.

Abdominoplasty does produce a permanent scar, typically across the full width of the bikini line. However, the goal during the procedure is to make the incision in a natural crease and location that is easily hidden by clothing.

The surgeon can explain the details of the procedure, the type of anaesthetic to be used, the extent of skin removal and muscle repair, and the expected recovery period