Dr. Branman Awards Dr. Rhys Branman's Cosmetic Surgery Blog

Category: Body Cosmetic Surgery

Body cosmetic surgery encompasses a wide variety of procedures aimed at contouring, refining, and reshaping the body’s silhouette. Whether you are seeking to address stubborn pockets of fat, tighten loose skin after weight loss, or sculpt specific problem areas, body cosmetic surgery can help enhance your figure and boost self‐confidence. In this category, we explore the many surgical options available, from liposuction to body lifts, and discuss the benefits, risks, recovery, and results you can expect.

Common Procedures

  1. Liposuction: One of the most popular methods of body contouring, liposuction uses specialized techniques to remove unwanted fat deposits. Target areas can include the abdomen, flanks, thighs, and arms. Advanced liposuction methods, such as tumescent liposuction and laser‐assisted options, provide more precision and less downtime.
  2. Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty): Ideal for those struggling with excess abdominal skin or weakened abdominal muscles, a tummy tuck removes excess skin and tightens the core. This procedure is especially popular among mothers post‐pregnancy or individuals who have undergone significant weight loss.
  3. Body Lift (Lower/Upper): A lower body lift targets the abdomen, buttocks, and thighs by removing loose skin and tightening underlying tissues. An upper body lift often focuses on the arms, back, and chest area to achieve a more proportional look.
  4. Thigh Lift: For individuals with excess skin or fat around the inner or outer thighs, a thigh lift can reshape and tighten these areas, enhancing overall leg contour.
  5. Arm Lift (Brachioplasty): This procedure addresses sagging skin from the underarm area down to the elbow, refining the shape of the arms and often boosting self‐esteem when wearing short sleeves.

Candidate Suitability
The ideal candidate for body cosmetic surgery should be in good general health, maintain a stable weight, and have realistic expectations about results. Consulting with a board‐certified cosmetic surgeon is essential to determine the most appropriate surgical plan. Factors such as skin elasticity, lifestyle habits, and medical history play a significant role in determining candidacy and optimizing outcomes.

Preparation & Recovery

  • Consultation: You will discuss your goals, medical history, and any current medications or supplements with your surgeon. They may recommend lifestyle adjustments, such as quitting smoking or maintaining a stable weight before surgery, to ensure a safer procedure and recovery.
  • Surgery & Hospital Stay: Body cosmetic surgeries can be performed under general anesthesia. The length of the procedure depends on the complexity and number of areas treated.
  • Post‐Operative Care: You may need compression garments, drainage tubes, or specific bandages to reduce swelling and support the healing tissues. Rest and limited physical activity are usually required for at least two to four weeks, although this can vary based on the procedure.
  • Follow‐Up Visits: Regular check‐ins help your surgeon monitor your healing, remove sutures or drains if needed, and address any concerns as they arise.

Risks & Considerations
Any surgical procedure comes with potential risks, including infection, bleeding, or adverse reactions to anesthesia. Additionally, candidates should be aware of issues like scarring, asymmetry, or the possibility of revision surgery if results aren’t as expected. Choosing a board‐certified cosmetic surgeon with extensive experience can significantly minimize these risks.

Longevity of Results
Body cosmetic surgery can offer long‐lasting or even permanent changes, provided patients maintain a stable weight and follow a healthy lifestyle. A balanced diet, regular exercise, and good skincare habits can all prolong and enhance surgical outcomes. Periodic follow‐ups with your surgeon also help to ensure that any emerging concerns are addressed promptly.

Combining Procedures
Many individuals choose to combine body cosmetic surgeries—such as a tummy tuck with liposuction—for a more comprehensive transformation. This approach can save time and money in the long run while consolidating recovery periods. However, patient safety remains paramount; your surgeon will advise if a staged approach is necessary based on your unique health profile and cosmetic goals.

Choosing the Right Practice
Body cosmetic surgery is both an art and a science. Look for practices with board‐certified surgeons, positive patient testimonials, accredited surgical facilities, and a dedicated support team. Reviewing before‐and‐after galleries and asking detailed questions during your consultation ensures you feel comfortable and well‐informed.

Educational Resources in This Category
Our Body Cosmetic Surgery blog posts delve into a range of topics, including new surgical techniques, real patient journeys, and tips on maximizing post‐operative recovery. We also provide information on realistic expectations for scarring, pain management, and maintenance of results. By offering thorough, transparent information, we hope to empower you on your journey to looking and feeling your best.

Tummy Tucks Can Help You Emotionally

February 18, 2016 - Rhys Branman, MD
Abdominoplasty is one of the most popular procedures among women who have given birth and have decided not to have any more children, and people who have had bariatric or gastric bypass surgery. Often performed as part of a “Mommy…

Liposuction Techniques Now & Then

December 2, 2013 - Rhys Branman, MD
Let’s talk about the basics of liposuction. Most people have a vague idea about the definition, that is liposuction is a way to remove fat from under the skin using a suction device. Yep, that’s it. Liposuction, also called liposculpture,…

Liposuction and Your Heart

November 23, 2015 - Rhys Branman, MD
Liposuction is one of the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures performed around the world. While it has recently been reported that abdominal liposuction can trigger an increase in visceral fat, the fat that is around organs, especially the liver, this…

Mommy Makeovers Popular Among Younger Women

December 2, 2013 - Rhys Branman, MD
Did you know Mommy Makeovers were on the rise? Here are the statistics: women had nearly 112,000 tummy tucks in 2010, up 85% since 2000; 90,000 breast lifts, up 70% since 2000; and 296,000 breast augmentations, up 39% since 2000.…

Liposuction and Your Heart

October 16, 2020 - Rhys Branman, MD
The Journal of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery has published the results of a new study showing a relationship between triglycerides and liposuction in people who have had high levels of triglycerides. What are triglycerides? Well, triglycerides are the main form…

The Michelangelo Approach to Cosmetic Surgery

December 2, 2013 - Rhys Branman, MD
“I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free.”  Michelangelo “Every block of stone has a statue inside it and it is the task of the sculptor to discover it.”  Michelangelo These are two famous…

VASER VS. Tumescent Liposuction

September 5, 2017 - Rhys Branman, MD
You may have heard of VASER assisted liposuction. VASER stands for Vibration Amplification of Sound Energy at Resonance: ultrasound. This type of liposuction uses ultrasound in order to liquefy the fat that is to be removed during liposuction. Patients often

Can a Tummy Tuck Help with Weight Control?

March 8, 2018 - Rhys Branman, MD
Is abdominoplasty associated with permanent long-term weight reduction? This is a question researchers have been trying to find out. What had been discovered was that many tummy tuck patients had lost more weight than explained by the removal of fat

Realistic Expectations When Seeking Cosmetic Surgery

December 2, 2013 - Rhys Branman, MD
Cosmetic surgeons are always talking about realistic expectations. What exactly does that mean, you might ask. Here is an interesting term that may help explain. The “range of believability” is the concept. What do you believe can be achieved? When

Recent International Survey

March 8, 2018 - Rhys Branman, MD
You may have noticed the statistics are in on the new international survey of cosmetic procedures performed globally. The ISAPS (International Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons) International Survey on Aesthetic/Cosmetic Procedures Performed in 2011 recruited almost 1000 surgeons to participate
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