Planning Your Contouring Journey

Whether you have ‘trouble spots’ that aren’t responding to diet and exercise, have recently lost a significant amount of weight, or are a mom looking to restore your pre-pregnancy figure, body contouring surgery can help you feel better about your shape and get more out of life.

If you ‘re considering body contouring, it’s important to choose a board-certified plastic surgeon who has experience with these particular procedures. At your consultation, be sure to ask these questions, along with any others that you may have to help make the best decision for your goals:

1. Which procedure is right for me?
   • The best body contouring procedure for you is dependent on your current body shape and type, as well as your goals.
2. Am I a good candidate for body contouring?
   • The ideal candidate will already be at or very close to their target weight. Even if you are still working on your fitness goals, you can still start by establishing healthy habits.
3. What kind of results can I expect?
   • Maintaining realistic and accurate expectations for your goals is important throughout the planning process and into your procedure. These procedures are meant to serve as tools to enhance your natural body shape, and are not weight-loss methods.

Liposuction may be a good fit if you are looking to remove fat deposits (commonly found on the hips, thighs, buttocks or stomach area). It can help reduce bulges and improve contouring, and is best suited for patients who are in good overall health, near their goal weight, and have firm, elastic skin with pockets of fat in certain areas. It is important to remember that liposuction can ‘empty’ the skin, but will not get rid of loose skin if present before the liposuction.

Alternatively, a tummy tuck removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen and tightens the core muscles. This is a good option for those with loose abdominal skin or muscles that have some separation. The muscle tightening provides extra stability to the stomach and back, and can help improve back pain in some individuals. Almost all patients having a tummy tuck will also have liposuction to their hips. This hip liposuction significantly improves the waistline and contour seen from the back or side. Multiple areas of liposuction can be combined with a tummy tuck and treat the body in a 360-degree approach.

Dr. Poulter is specialized in body contouring surgery. He has completed supplemental training in advanced body contouring procedures, and has the experience of treating more than 20,000 patients. His knowledge and experience can guide you along every step of your journey.

Schedule a consultation with Dr. Poulter to discuss your exact needs and make sure you receive your desired results!