Changes from pregnancy, weight loss, aging, or genetics can affect the body in different ways. Some people are bothered primarily by stubborn fat, while others have loose skin, separated abdominal muscles, or areas that have lost volume. At Dr. York Yates Plastic Surgery, our body surgery options in Salt Lake City and Layton, Utah, address these concerns with procedures selected around your anatomy rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. Dr. York Yates is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and has narrowed his practice to cosmetic surgery of the breast and body.
What Can Body Contouring Address?
Body contouring is an umbrella term for procedures that reshape specific areas by reducing fat, removing excess skin, repairing abdominal muscles, adding volume, or combining several of these approaches. The first step is identifying what is creating the concern you see.
Common options include:
- Liposuction: Liposuction removes localized fat and works best when skin elasticity is good. It is intended for contouring rather than significant weight loss.
- Tummy tuck: A tummy tuck can remove loose abdominal skin, reduce unwanted fat, and repair separated abdominal muscles when needed.
- Post-weight-loss surgery: Patients with loose tissue across several areas may benefit from plastic surgery after major weight loss, including procedures for the abdomen, arms, breasts, or thighs.
- Fat transfer: Fat grafting removes fat from one area with liposuction and places it where additional volume is desired.
- Combined procedures: A mommy makeover can address several breast and abdominal changes within a coordinated surgical plan.
Should Body Contouring Procedures Be Combined or Staged?
Some operations can be performed together, which may allow several concerns to be addressed during one recovery. That does not mean combining everything is always appropriate.
Dr. Yates considers the extent and complexity of each procedure when developing your plan. For more extensive post-weight-loss surgery, he sometimes prefers separate operations to support safety and allow each area to be corrected more effectively. The same principle applies when a combination of procedures would create an overly complex operation.
Why Choose Dr. York Yates for Body Contouring in Salt Lake City?
Body contouring is a major focus of our practice. Dr. Yates’ most commonly performed procedures include liposuction, tummy tuck surgery, breast augmentation, and fat transfer, giving him focused experience with many of the operations used to reshape the body. His six years of postgraduate plastic surgery training at the University of Missouri included cosmetic and reconstructive surgery as well as microsurgery.
We also encourage patients to look at actual surgical outcomes when researching their options. Our before-and-after gallery includes results from liposuction, tummy tuck surgery, post-weight-loss procedures, mommy makeover surgery, arm lift, and other body procedures. Individual results vary.
Body Contouring FAQs
Is Body Contouring a Weight-Loss Treatment?
No. Procedures such as liposuction are intended to reshape specific areas rather than produce substantial weight loss. Your treatment should address the tissue causing the concern, whether that is fat, skin, muscle laxity, or a combination.
How Do I Know if I Need Liposuction or Skin Removal?
Liposuction is most useful for localized fat with good skin elasticity. If loose skin is the primary problem, removing fat alone may not provide the correction you want, and a skin-removal procedure may be more appropriate.
Can Body Contouring Treat More Than One Area?
Yes. Multiple areas can sometimes be addressed during the same operation, while more extensive plans may be divided into stages. Your health, treatment areas, and the complexity of each procedure help determine the approach.
Can Body Contouring Help After Pregnancy?
Yes. Pregnancy can affect abdominal skin, abdominal muscles, breast volume, breast position, and fat distribution. A mommy makeover can combine selected breast and body procedures when more than one concern needs treatment.
Will Body Contouring Results Last?
Surgical changes can be long-lasting, but future pregnancy, substantial weight fluctuations, and aging can alter your body after treatment. Maintaining a relatively stable weight helps protect your results over time.
Explore Body Contouring in Salt Lake City and Layton
Choosing between fat reduction, skin removal, muscle repair, and volume enhancement starts with understanding what is creating the shape you want to change. To discuss your options with Dr. Yates and our team, contact us at Dr. York Yates Plastic Surgery. Our office is located in Layton, Utah, and can be reached at 385-526-5988.