Each one of us is a tapestry of genetics and life experiences, which create a body composition that is uniquely ours. And while plastic surgery can refine and enhance many aspects of our outer appearance—like tightening sagging skin, or enhancing curves—plastic surgeons are not able to alter your intrinsic body composition, or change the size of your body frame. Still, the right surgical procedures, such as targeted fat removal, can offer noticeable reshaping.
Here, Dr. Henry F. Garazo explains the goals and limits of responsible plastic surgery, and shares some of the most transformative procedures in aesthetic medicine.
The purpose of plastic surgery
When performed by a qualified, board-certified plastic surgeon, plastic surgery is intended to increase enhancement, definition, and balance, using carefully selected techniques that can safely achieve the patient's expressed goals. Plastic surgeons should not seek to reinvent, but rather to enhance and magnify, a patient's existing features for a harmonious, natural appearance.
It is important to understand that plastic surgeons operate mostly on soft tissue, manipulating fat deposits with procedures like liposuction, or tightening wrinkled or loose skin with lifting procedures like a facelift or a tummy tuck. While a tummy tuck can be a transformative procedure (it involves tightening the abdominal muscles, correcting separation after pregnancy or weight gain), getting more of an hourglass-shape will not truly change your "body type."
Body type vs. physical appearance
The term "body type" is a buzzword popularized by fashion and beauty content; it is more of a description of our internal physical anatomy and not necessarily our outer physical appearance. For example, liposuction can address fat deposits that have accumulated disproportionately in areas like the "love handles" or under the chin, as many individuals find they are genetically predisposed to fat in these areas. Patients enjoy liposuction's slimming and shaping benefits, but their underlying bone structure and musculature will not be affected. Patients will simply look like a more defined and contoured version of themselves.
Transformative plastic surgery procedures
So, while plastic surgery cannot promise to change your body type, with realistic expectations and in the hands of a plastic surgery expert, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn how impactful a personalized procedure can be on your physical appearance and perhaps even your perception of your body type.
The most transformative procedures to enhance your body type include:
- Breast augmentation. Using implants to shape and improve the breasts' appearance helps balance natural body proportions and can help create optimal symmetry and fullness.
- Breast lift / Breast reduction. Depending on which procedure you choose or if both are part of your customized surgery plan, these procedures can also help create balanced proportions. And because the nature of these procedures often removes excess tissue and repositions the breast, many patients find an active lifestyle is more accessible—especially after a breast reduction.
- Tummy tuck. A tummy tuck can be performed for cosmetic reasons alone; however, many patients undergoing this procedure also need repair of abdominal muscle separation (diastasis recti). We can correct this issue during surgery, ensuring optimal results and enabling your abdominal muscles to fully function.
- Mommy makeover. A mommy makeover surgery plan often includes a combination of the above procedures, but may include any procedures that fit the patient's goals. Mommy makeovers offer a comprehensive approach and thus can provide the most noticeable body transformations.
