Body Contouring

Body Contouring at UVM Health

Significant weight loss, pregnancy and age can result in excess skin in the abdomen, breasts, arms, thighs and other areas of the body. Body contouring procedures (also known as body sculpting) remove excess skin and fat to give you a firmer, smoother shape.

At University of Vermont Health, our plastic surgeons offer a wide range of body contouring procedures and can expertly combine multiple procedures to achieve your desired results. We take pride in providing safe, high-quality care to help you feel more confident in your body.

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Why Choose UVM Health?

As a leading plastic surgery program in the region, we offer:

Advanced expertise: At UVM Health, you receive care from plastic surgeons with extensive training and experience in body contouring. Many of our physicians are academic leaders, training the next generation of experts in the latest techniques.
Personalized approach: Our surgeons take time to get to know you and learn about your goals for surgery. We help you understand your surgical options so you can decide what’s right for you.
Comfort and convenience: Your comfort, safety and privacy are top priorities for our team. With offices in Vermont and northern New York and digital health options for some follow-up visits, we make it easy to access care.

Types of Body Contouring

There are several types of body contouring procedures available at UVM Health:

Arm lift (brachioplasty): Removes excess fat and skin in the upper arms
Breast lift (mastopexy): Lifts flattened and sagging breasts
Lower body lift (circumferential abdominoplasty or belt lipectomy): Removes excess fat and skin in the abdomen, thighs and buttocks
Thigh lift (thighplasty): Removes excess fat and skin in the inner thighs
Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty): Removes excess fat and skin from the abdomen and tightens underlying muscles
Panniculectomy: Removes excess fat and skin from the abdomen without tightening the underlying muscles

We also offer liposuction, a procedure that removes fat from specific areas of the body using a hollow tube and suction. Liposuction can be done alone or with other body contouring procedures.

What to Expect

From consultation to surgery and follow-up care, our entire team is here for you with support and guidance. Our patient-centered, no-pressure approach draws patients from across the region.

Consultation

The first step in cosmetic surgery is a consultation with one of our plastic surgeons. We schedule a full hour for this appointment to review your medical history and talk about your goals. Your surgeon determines how to best address your needs and discusses your options with you.

The consultation also helps set realistic expectations. We provide accurate, unbiased information so you can decide the right approach for you.

Body contouring is often the last step after weight loss. Weight fluctuations after surgery can affect results, so we typically make sure you are at a stable weight for at least six months before surgery.

Planning Surgery

Our surgeons develop a surgical plan tailored to your unique anatomy, often combining procedures to achieve your desired results. Common combinations are:

Abdomen and thighs
Breasts and arms
Breasts and abdomen

If we cannot perform two procedures in one surgery, or if you want to target multiple areas, your surgeon may recommend a multistep plan. We are happy to work with you to give you the results you’re looking for.

Body Contouring Surgery

We perform surgery in an operating room using general anesthesia, so you are asleep. Body contouring procedures vary by body part, but the procedures are similar. In general, the surgeon:

Makes one or more incisions. When possible, we place the incisions in less visible areas to hide the scars.
Removes excess skin and fat. We may remove fat surgically or using liposuction.
Tightens and reshapes the underlying tissue (and muscles for abdominoplasty)
Closes the incision(s)

Recovery and Follow-Up Care

With most types of surgery, you can go home after your procedure. For lower body lifts, some tummy tucks and surgeries involving multiple body areas, you stay overnight in the hospital. Before you leave the hospital, our team provides:

Instructions on how to care for the surgical incisions
Medication prescriptions to help manage pain
Supplies, such as dressings and support garments
An appointment for your first follow-up visit, usually one week after surgery

Soreness and swelling are common in the first few weeks after surgery. You may have tubes placed under your skin to drain fluid. Your surgeon will remove these drains at one of your follow-up appointments, usually at one to two weeks.

After surgery, you can gradually increase activity. Most people can go back to work after two weeks and resume typical activity between six and eight weeks. Depending on the type of surgery, you may have some swelling on and off for several months.

You will have scars at the incision sites, but they will fade over time. Your care team will give you tips on how to help your incisions heal properly and minimize the appearance of scars.