Body contouring at Leeds Hospital

What does body contouring treat? 

Body contouring is not a weight-loss treatment. It is suited to people who are already close to their target weight but have specific areas where stubborn fat or loose skin remains. 

Common reasons people have body contouring include: 

• Excess, sagging skin following significant weight loss 
• Stubborn fat deposits on the arms, abdomen, thighs, or flanks (the sides of the body above the hips) that do not respond to exercise 
• Loose or wrinkled skin that develops with age.

Body contouring can target most areas of the body, including the arms, back, abdomen, buttocks, thighs, neck, chin, and breasts. 

What are the benefits? 

People who have body contouring often describe a more defined and toned appearance in the areas treated, smoother skin, and an overall younger-looking result. 

Surgical procedures tend to produce more immediate and noticeable changes. Non-surgical treatments are less invasive but typically take several weeks or months before a visible difference appears. 

Types of body contouring 

Body contouring options fall into two broad categories: surgical and non-surgical. 

Surgical body contouring 

Surgical body contouring removes excess skin and fat through cuts made to the skin. The most common procedures include: 

• Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty): Removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen and can tighten the abdominal muscles. Often chosen by people who have had a pregnancy or lost a large amount of weight. 
• Breast lift (mastopexy): Reshapes and lifts breast tissue to improve the position and contour of the breast. 
• Facelift (rhytidectomy): Addresses loose skin on the face and neck. 
• Liposuction: Uses a suction technique to remove unwanted pockets of fat from areas including the arms, thighs, hips, abdomen, and neck. It is best suited to people who are close to a healthy weight but have areas of fat that are disproportionate to the rest of the body. 
• Vaser liposuction (liposculpture): A minimally invasive version of liposuction that uses ultrasound technology to break down fat before it is removed, allowing for more precise body sculpting. 

Before surgical body contouring, your weight should be stable and within a healthy range. Further weight loss after surgery can leave additional loose skin, and rapid weight gain increases the risk of scarring and stretch marks. 

Non-surgical body contouring 

Non-surgical treatments (known medically as lipolysis) destroy fat cells without any cuts or need for anaesthetic. They work by either freezing or heating the targeted fat cells. 

Available treatments include: 

• Cryolipolysis (fat freezing, also known as CoolSculpting): Uses extreme cold to break down and destroy fat cells 
• Laser lipolysis: Uses laser energy to reduce fat in targeted areas 
• Radiofrequency lipolysis: Delivers ultrasound waves and heat to destroy fat cells 
• Injection lipolysis: Involves injecting a substance called deoxycholic acid into the area to break down fat.

Before your procedure 

If you are considering surgical body contouring, you will have a consultation with a plastic surgeon. At this appointment, your surgeon will: 

• Discuss your goals and the results you are hoping to achieve 
• Review your medical history, including previous surgeries, any health conditions, allergies, and current medications 
• Examine and measure the areas you want to treat 
• Photograph the areas for reference
• Explain your options and the risks involved. 

You may be asked to have blood tests or a general health check before surgery. Your team may also ask you to: 

• Stop smoking before and after your procedure, as smoking affects how the body heals 
• Stop taking certain medicines, such as aspirin and anti-inflammatory tablets, as well as some herbal supplements, which can increase the risk of bleeding 
• Ensure your weight is stable before the operation 
• You will be asked to sign a consent form to confirm that you understand what the procedure involves, accept the associated risks, and have realistic expectations of the outcome. 

What happens during the procedure? 

Surgical body contouring

This takes place in a hospital or surgical centre. The length of the operation depends on what is involved; procedures can take anywhere from 45 minutes to several hours. 

Your surgical team will: 

1. Mark the treatment areas on your skin before the operation begins 
2. Position you on the operating table and complete pre-operative safety checks 
3. Give you either local anaesthetic (which numbs the treatment area only) or general anaesthetic (which sends you fully to sleep), depending on the procedure 
4. Clean and prepare the skin in the treatment area 
5. Make the necessary cuts (incisions) to access the area 
6. Remove, reshape, or reposition fat and tissue; for a tummy tuck, the underlying abdominal muscles may also be tightened at this stage 
7. Trim any excess skin 
8. Close the incisions with stitches and apply dressings.

Non-surgical body contouring

This takes place in a clinic. Each session lasts around 30 to 60 minutes.

Your clinician will mark the area to be treated and then use a specialist device to deliver cold, heat, laser, or ultrasound energy through the skin to the underlying fat. No cuts are made, and no anaesthetic is required. 

Recovery from body contouring 

After surgical body contouring 

Most people are able to go home the same day after surgical body contouring. Arrange for someone to drive you home and to stay with you during the first night. 

You may have a thin drain tube placed near the incisions to remove any fluid and reduce swelling. Your surgical team will give you detailed aftercare instructions, which typically include: 

• How to care for the drain and change dressings 
• Moving around gently to reduce the risk of blood clots, while avoiding strenuous activity 
• Keeping the treated area out of direct sunlight 
• Taking prescribed medication for pain or to prevent infection.

After non-surgical body contouring 

You can leave the clinic immediately after treatment and return to your normal routine straight away. No recovery period is required. 

Risks and complications 

Your surgeon will explain the specific risks of your procedure before you agree to go ahead. 

Possible complications of surgical body contouring include: 

• Asymmetry (where the two sides do not look quite the same) 
• Bleeding or blood clots 
• Nausea, vomiting, or difficulty waking up after a general anaesthetic 
• Damage to nearby nerves, blood vessels, muscles, or organs 
• Haematoma: a pocket of blood that collects under the skin and may need to be drained
• Infection 
• Poor healing of the wound, or scarring that is more visible than expected 
• Skin irregularities such as rippling or uneven texture after the procedure 
• Numbness or changed sensation in the skin around the incisions 
• Results that do not meet your expectations, which may require further surgery 
• Pain or swelling that lasts longer than expected.

Non-surgical body contouring carries a lower risk profile and generally does not cause complications of the same severity. Results can vary between individuals, and repeated sessions may be needed before any improvement is visible.

Frequently asked questions

Is body contouring the same as weight loss?

No. Body contouring reshapes and refines specific areas of the body but is not designed to help you lose weight. Most procedures require your weight to already be stable and within a healthy range before treatment starts.

What is the difference between surgical and non-surgical body contouring?

Surgical procedures such as liposuction and a tummy tuck produce more immediate and noticeable results, but involve a recovery period and carry the risks associated with surgery. Non-surgical treatments use cold, heat, or laser energy to reduce fat without cuts or downtime. They are less invasive and require no recovery time, but results are more gradual and typically require several sessions.

Who is suitable for body contouring?

Body contouring is best suited to people who are close to their target weight (a BMI of less than 30 is typically required for non-surgical options), have specific areas of stubborn fat or loose skin that have not responded to diet and exercise, and have stable weight going into treatment. Your surgeon or clinician will assess your suitability at your initial consultation.

Can body contouring be available on the NHS?

In some circumstances, yes. NHS funding for body contouring may be considered where excess skin following significant weight loss is causing severe functional problems, such as recurrent skin infections, ulceration that has not responded to treatment, or serious difficulty with everyday activities such as walking or maintaining hygiene. NHS funding is not available for cosmetic reasons. Your GP can advise whether your situation might qualify for assessment.

How many sessions will I need for non-surgical body contouring?

Most non-surgical treatments require several sessions before results become visible. The exact number depends on the technique used and the area being treated. Your clinician will advise at your consultation.