Body contouring: how does it work?

Some of us are still left with an area of stubborn fat on the body that just won’t shift, no matter how much we diet and exercise. The good news is that body contouring can target those specific pockets of fat stores. Whether you have had a baby in the last couple of years and fancy the idea of a mummy makeover, or if you recently lost weight and want to get rid of the remaining excess skin, there is certainly a procedure that can help.

Fortunately, leading plastic and reconstructive surgeon Rob Winterton is here to share his expert knowledge on body contouring.

What is body contouring surgery?

Body contouring involves a range of plastic surgery procedures for patients who wish to rejuvenate their figure. It usually refers to the contouring of the tummy, legs and arms, or breasts. It encompasses a range of different techniques, such as liposuction, or techniques where fat and excess skin are cut away.
 

Who is likely to have body contouring?

Body contouring is popular among women after they have had children. We tend to see women who would like a mummy makeover (cosmetic procedures to restore pre-pregnancy appearance) when their kids are around the age of eight or nine. For them, it’s rejuvenating. Others have lost a lot of weight and need that last helping hand.
 

Read more on a mummy makeover

What results can be achieved with body contouring?

The results vary from patient to patient. Of course, it depends on the choice of procedure, and the requirements and techniques that have been used, but results really can be dramatic.
 

What is the recovery like following body contouring?

For those who have a minor procedure such as liposuction to a single area, they would only spend a day in the hospital and would need a week or up to 10 days off work. For someone having major work done, they will need to factor in several weeks for recovery. It is normal to experience swelling and long-term bruising afterwards and to keep in mind that this is normal and will eventually disappear. We like to manage our patient’s expectations of recovery.

We also see patients in follow-up consultations post-op with the following timeline: 1 week, at 2-3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months and we check-in after a year.
 

How much does body contouring cost?

It really depends on the individual treatment plan. A simple procedure could cost a few thousand pounds but a mummy makeover could be around £10,000.
 

Is body contouring permanent?

The surgery resets the body shape, but it does not fix it. Someone can still lose or gain weight after a body contour procedure. Once the body has healed post-operation, it is recommended to regularly exercise, eat healthy, don’t smoke and stay out of the sun. The patient will also need to be wary of ‘scar care’ – by moisturising, stretching and massaging the area for several months. It is important to always wear high factor sun cream to protect the skin.
 

How safe is body contouring?

It would be unusual to perform any operation if we thought that it would pose a risk to the patient’s general health. That’s why we screen the patient first to check their medical history. Surgery would not be suitable if we discover any major health problems.
 

What’s the best advice you can give to someone who wants body contouring?

I recommend that you reach your target weight first. Also, it’s really important to quit smoking, do your research and pick a reputable surgeon.