Body Contouring
Sometimes exercise and diet alone cannot deliver the body shape we want. Pregnancy or weight loss can also create loose skin that will not go back in place by itself. Fortunately, there are options in plastic surgery that can resolve many problems of unwanted body fat and loose skin.
Dr. Christopher Hess at Hess Plastic Surgery in Fairfax performs a wide variety of plastic surgery options for body contouring. Please view the following links for more information.
Tummy Tuck
Tummy tuck surgery, also known as an abdominoplasty, can provide a smoother, more toned appearance to your abdomen. During surgery, Dr. Hess removes excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen in order to tighten weakened or separated muscles, creating a smoother and firmer tummy.
Mini Tummy Tuck
A mini-tummy tuck can provide similar results with less extensive surgery. Dr. Hess may recommend it for patients with less pronounced abdominal fat. Many patients who undergo the mini tummy tuck have been pregnant, or experienced weight fluctuations, which can negatively affect the appearance of the tummy.
Liposuction
Liposuction is ideal for sculpting or slimming down specific areas of a person’s body. It should not be seen as a weight loss technique. Liposuction is very effective at removing pockets of fat that can persist in certain areas of the body. These problem areas generally refuse to shrink by diet or exercise and tend to locate around the thighs and abdomen.
Mommy Makeover
After pregnancy, you may improve your diet and increase your activity level, but find that you still can’t reach a place where you are satisfied with your body. New moms often share concerns about stubborn fat, loose skin, sagging breasts, lost breast fullness, and a protruding tummy. In these cases, when a patient is motivated to improve her body shape after pregnancy, Dr. Hess may recommend a series of procedures commonly called a “mommy makeover.”
Thigh Lift
Thigh lift, or thighplasty, can reshape the contour and appearance of your inner thighs and tighten the outer thighs. During surgery, Dr. Hess works to tighten the skin and, if necessary, remove some fat deposits with liposuction, resulting in smoother skin and a better-proportioned body shape. A thigh lift is typically chosen for patients who have experienced major weight loss.
Lipo-abdominoplasty
Lipo-abdominoplasty is a combination of liposuction and tummy tuck. The surgery can enhance the results of your tummy tuck. If you are a good candidate for this surgery, Dr. Hess would perform liposuction of your upper abdomen and flanks during your tummy tuck operation.
Umbilical Float Abdominoplasty
The umbilical float abdominoplasty detaches the belly button from the abdominal wall during a tummy tuck, moving it downward. This procedure is a modified version of the tummy tuck (or mini-tummy tuck) that is appropriate in certain cases.
Scar Revision
Scar revision can minimize the appearance of scar tissue. The procedure is often recommended when scars are prominent or when they affect movement of the extremities. Dr. Hess can evaluation the characteristics of a scar (size, color, thickness, and location) to determine a suitable treatment. No scar can be removed completely; however, the scar will become much less noticeable.
View all body contouring options at Hess Plastic Surgery
