Body Contouring in La Mesa, CA

The term body contouring is regularly used in the plastic surgery industry to describe a series of procedures that can help to refine a patient's desired figure. Women and men who have recently lost weight, whose weight has fluctuated over the years, or who no longer achieve results from diet and exercise may be interested in a body contouring procedure. At Sessions Plastic Surgery Centre, Dr. Sessions uses body contouring to remove stubborn fat, sculpt the body, and tighten the skin. Dr. Sessions has over 20 years of experience providing body contouring options, including breast lifts, tummy tucks, thigh lifts, liposuction, and more. These options can all be tailored and combined to redefine and rejuvenate your specific physique. Contact our surgical facility in La Mesa, CA to schedule your consultation.

You may be a great candidate for body contouring if you have sagging skin, "deflated" body parts (such as the breasts or buttocks), or fat in areas that is hard to lose. The hips, flanks, neck, abdomen, and lower back are all areas where fat can collect and create unwanted bulges. Many patients who are interested in body contouring have lost significant amounts of weight or wish to reclaim their pre-pregnancy bodies. Good candidates for body contouring are men and women who maintain a healthy weight and are in good overall health. While body contouring may ultimately result in a few lost pounds, it is not a weight loss surgery. It is designed to help healthy patients achieve a tighter, more sculpted shape.

During your consultation, Dr. Sessions will design a body contouring surgical plan for you. Your plan will include a specific set of procedures that will address your areas of concern. Some common combinations of procedures are often called mommy makeovers, lower body lifts, and upper body lifts. The surgeries generally included in body contouring procedures, such as abdominoplasty, arm lifts, and breast lifts, usually require general anesthesia. The length of your procedure will depend on which and how many surgeries you decide to have. When possible, Dr. Sessions places incisions where they can be concealed by undergarments. The goal is to remove undesired fat and extra skin, revealing a smoother, thinner body. 

It is common for patients to combine several surgical procedures on multiple body parts, which can require an overnight stay. After an appropriate amount of post-operative monitoring, you will be released to rest and heal at home. You will most likely need to wear bandages and compression garments for part of your recovery, as well as have a drainage tube placed under your skin to collect extra blood and fluid. The time it takes to be able to resume daily activities depends on the patient's overall health and the number and type of surgeries undergone, but you should expect a downtime of about one month. 

How much does body contouring surgery cost?
Your cost for surgical body contouring will depend on what is part of your customized treatment plan. After your consultation, Dr. Sessions can give you a good idea about estimated costs and review your payment options. Sessions Plastic Surgery Centre accepts many payment methods, including low-interest financing, which we can help you find.

Will insurance pay for my body contouring surgery?
While most cosmetic surgeries are not covered by insurance, there are cases where body contouring may be partially paid by your insurance. If loose skin is causing medical issues, like chronic infections, you may be able to apply for coverage from your insurance. It will depend on your carrier and policy, but if you want to use your insurance, talk to Dr. Sessions during your consultation. A team member at Sessions Plastic Surgery Centre will help you work with your insurance to maximize your coverage.

What will be part of my body contouring surgery?
Your treatment plan will be determined during your consultation with Dr. Sessions. Your procedures may be done in stages, depending on your overall health and the number of areas being addressed. Typically, the groupings will be staged with a combination of either the upper body parts (breasts, arms, stomach, neck, face) or lower body parts (butt, thighs, hips, knees). This staging helps reduce the risk of complications, such as blood loss and infection. This also makes your recovery easier to manage.

Will I have scarring after my surgery?
In general, body contouring surgery will create scarring. Most patients find that once the incisions heal, the scarring is no longer a worry as the benefits of this life-changing surgery are so impressive. Dr. Sessions makes every effort to reduce the appearance of scars by placing the incisions in natural skin folds or less visible areas. Proper care after surgery is also important. Topical ointments may be prescribed to speed the healing process. Over time, the scars will lighten and blend in more with your natural skin tone.

How long will my body contouring results last?
With proper care, your body contouring results can last for a long time. To help maintain your results, you should stay at a healthy weight. Significant weight changes or pregnancy after your surgery will impact your results. Natural aging will continue so you may eventually notice loose skin again as you get older. Talk to Dr. Sessions about tips that may help your results last longer.

Body contouring at Sessions Plastic Surgery Centre can help you achieve the body you dream of. Whether you want to tighten loose skin, reduce areas of fat, or add curves to your breasts or bottom, your goals are possible. We encourage you to contact our La Mesa, CA facility and schedule a consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Scott Sessions. We can discuss your goals and design an individualized plan just for you. We look forward to welcoming you to our practice.