Body Shaping & Contouring

Body Procedures Glossary

This glossary of body plastic surgery and non-surgical procedures provides an overview on what to expect from each procedure at The MIAMI Institute. We provide the latest technology in body shaping, body contouring, body plastic surgery and non-surgical body shaping.

Arm Lift (Brachioplasty)

Arm Lift is often indicated after significant weight loss has left loose skin on the upper arm. An incision is made along the inner aspect between the elbow and armpit. Excess skin and soft tissue are removed. The remaining soft tissue is supported and the skin redraped to create the desired contour. The 2-hour surgery is performed under general anesthesia, followed by 2-3 weeks of reduced activity to allow healing.

Butt Lift

This surgery is indicated for restoring buttocks volume lost with aging. It’s performed under general anesthesia. For several weeks postoperatively pressure on the buttocks must be avoided. Prolonged sitting and laying on the back are prohibited.

Brazilian butt lift.

Brazilian Butt Lift. Using liposuction, fat is collected from the waist and flanks and transferred to the buttocks to restore volume, thus also enhancing body contours of the area from which the fat was extracted. A compression garment is worn to help healing of the areas from which fat was suctioned.

Butt lift with no fat transfer

Butt Lift. Patients with loose skin on the buttocks may benefit from a butt lift with no fat transfer. Incisions along the thong line allow access to create support of inner tissues. Excess skin is removed and the skin redraped over the buttocks to form a youthful contour and lifted appearance.

Liposuction

Liposuction is a procedure that removes* fat and can create appealing contours, as well as remove* fat accumulations. A thin tube called a cannula is inserted through small incisions into the fat to be removed. Fat is sucked into the cannula, as the surgeon skillfully guides it to create the desired contours. It is not a weight-loss procedure; it’s for appropriately nourished people who have accumulations of fat which are unresponsive to weight loss and exercise.

Types of liposuction include:

• Power-assisted liposuction (PAL). A small cannula which vibrates is inserted into the fat to be extracted. It loosens and breaks up tightly packed fat accumulations. It is gentler than traditional liposuction, enabling more precise contouring.
• Tumescent liposuction. This is the type of liposuction used by most physicians. A wetting solution of saline, epinephrine, and a local anesthetic is injected into the fat to be treated.
• Ultrasonic liposuction. The tip of the cannula to be inserted into the fat emits energy as sound waves of high frequency. The energy causes fat cells to vibrate and liquefy.

Liposuction Treatment Areas

Liposuction can be performed on:

1. abdomen/waist
2. cheeks/jowls/neck
3. hips and buttocks
4. inner knees
5. upper arms
6. inner and outer thighs

Lower Body Lift

Lower Body Lift is also called a post-obesity surgery body lift, up to three separate surgeries are performed, for the elimination of sagging skin left after rapid weight loss. It may consist of a tummy tuck, butt lift, and/or thigh lift. Performed under general anesthesia, the body lift require 5-6 hours of surgery. There is 2-3 weeks of very restful recovery, and about 4-6 weeks to resume normal activity.

Mommy Makeover

Mommy makeover consists of an individually selected set of procedures, performed after childbirth, for the restoration of a woman’s more-youthful, pre-pregnancy body contours. It may include a breast lift, breast augmentation, tummy tuck, and/or liposuction, depending on a woman’s problem areas and treatment goals.

Tummy Tuck

Tummy Tuck (abdominoplasty) procedure is performed to remove sagging skin of the lower abdomen, often left after childbirth or rapid weight loss. Under general anesthesia, an incision is made at the bikini line. Sutures are used to strengthen and define the muscles of the lower abdomen; excess fat and skin are removed*. The skin is pulled down to the bikini line. Sometimes the umbilicus (belly button) must be repositioned for appearance. The bikini line incision is easily concealed by clothing. The procedure requires 3-4 hours, followed by several weeks of slow return to the patients’ normal activities.