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July 10, 2024 | Plastic Surgery

Can Plastic Surgery Really Change My Body Type?

Perfect body of unrecognizable african american woman

The body can be reshaped and contoured using plastic surgery to enhance specific traits or address trouble spots. 

To achieve the desired body outlines, procedures like liposuction, stomach tucks, body contouring, and breast augmentation are popular choices. But it’s important to recognize the limitations and have reasonable expectations.

Understanding Body Types

Our bodies are different from each other—and this is a huge factor for plastic surgery. Depending on your body type, there are some procedures that might not work on you.

Bodies are also made up of different factors: genes, diet or lifestyle.

Here are different body types: 

Ectomorph

Ectomorphs have a lean build. They often find it hard to gain weight and muscle. Their bodies are usually slim with narrow shoulders.

For ectomorphs, plastic surgery can make them look more balanced. Desired areas can gain volume through procedures like fat transfer. Another option for improving curves is breast augmentation.

Ectomorph

Mesomorph

Mesomorphs have a muscular and well-built frame. They gain muscle easily. Their bodies are naturally athletic.

Plastic surgery can refine the mesomorph body type. Liposuction can remove stubborn fat pockets. Abdominal etching can enhance muscle definition, making abs more prominent.

Endomorph

Endomorphs tend to have higher body fat percentages. They often struggle with weight loss. Their bodies are rounder and softer.

Plastic surgery offers solutions for endomorphs too. Abdominal fat and extra skin can be removed with tummy tucks. By eliminating extra fat deposits from the body, liposuction aids in body sculpting.

Combination Types

Many people do not fit perfectly into one category. They may have traits from multiple body types.

Plastic surgery allows customization based on individual needs. Combining procedures like liposuction and fat transfer can target specific areas effectively.

Role of Plastic Surgery

Body Contouring

Procedures like liposuction and tummy tucks remove excess fat and enhance specific areas of your body.

Liposuction targets stubborn fat pockets. Surgeons use small tubes to suction out fat cells. Tummy tucks, or abdominoplasty, remove extra skin and tighten muscles.

Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation changes the size and shape of your breasts. Implants or fat transfer techniques achieve this.

Saline or silicone implants are popular options. They are formed and sized differently. Fat transfer employs your body fat to provide a more natural look.

Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty, often known as nose reshaping, modifies your nose’s structural makeup. This procedure may enhance face symmetry.

Surgeons alter the nose’s appearance by modifying the bone and cartilage. Certain medical issues, such as improved breathing, may require a rhinoplasty.

Buttock Enhancement

Buttock enlargement procedures can be used to enhance the size and shape of the buttocks. Brazilian Butt Lifts, or BBLs, are extremely popular.

BBL extracts fat from other body areas via liposuction. For a fuller appearance, the surgeon next injects this fat into the buttocks.

Skin Tightening

Procedures for skin tightening treat drooping skin. These operations are frequently used as post-weight-loss remedies.

Facelifts, thigh lifts, and arm lifts are some of the techniques. For a firmer appearance, each technique eliminates extra skin and tightens the underlying tissues.

Limitations of Surgery

There are limitations to plastic surgery. It can remodel some body parts, but it cannot alter basic components like muscle mass distribution or bone density. Dietary and exercise improvements are more beneficial for long-term changes in body composition.

Psychological Impact

The psychological aspect is equally significant. After surgery, confidence could rise, but it’s crucial to set realistic expectations. Physical improvements don’t guarantee happiness if underlying issues aren’t fixed

Transforming Shapes with Surgery

Liposuction

Excess fat is removed from targeted regions by liposuction. It goes after the arms, thighs, and abdomen. The main mechanism of this process is the removal of fat cells from the body and then reshaping it. If you pair it up with a healthy lifestyle then results can turn out better.

Tummy Tuck

This comes after a belly tuck this procedure is done to tighten the loose skin around the stomach. Excess skin and fat are removed as well as muscles are tightened. This can result in a firmer abdomen and flatter.

Breast Augmentation

This procedure can make your breast become bigger and shaped better. Implants are placed correctly to increase the volume of the breast. Most people undergo this treatment to pump up their confidence.

Buttock Enhancement

Buttocks can appear fuller with buttock enhancement. They are attainable by using implants or fat transfer. Most people get this surgery to get a more curvaceous figure.

Rhinoplasty

Having a perfect nose can make your appearance more appealing plus this procedure is also used to alleviate respiratory problems. Rhinoplasty has given people a chance to have a more proportional nose.

Body Contouring

Body contouring is the process of reshaping various body sections by combining many techniques. It is frequently done after major weight loss to get rid of extra skin and fat. A more toned, sleeker look is the aim.

Non-Surgical Options

Non-surgical treatments are also available for addressing loose skin. These include:

Radiofrequency Treatment

Collagen plays a big role in making the skin tight and supple. In the radiofrequency procedure, the deeper skin layer is heated to encourage collagen formation. This then results in firmer and smoother skin over time.

Radiofrequency treatments are commonly used on the face, neck, and torso; optimal outcomes typically necessitate several sessions.

Ultrasound Therapies

The sound waves produced by ultrasound machines penetrate deeper skin layers and promote the healing process and production of collagen. This therapy encourages the tightening of the skin on the neck and face. Several sessions are done to attain visible improvements.

Laser Treatments

The purpose of laser therapy is to apply concentrated light energy to specific skin locations. The heat from the laser can improve skin texture and smooth out wrinkles in addition to encouraging the production of new collagen. 

Two of the several types of lasers used for skin tightening are ablative lasers, which remove extremely thin layers of skin, and non-ablative lasers, which penetrate deeper into the skin without causing surface damage. 

Laser treatments are most commonly used for face rejuvenation, though they can be used for many other body parts as well. These methods can assist in reducing skin tightness without surgery. Compared to surgical procedures, they frequently include fewer risks, need less recuperation time, and involve less invasiveness. 

However, it’s important to have realistic expectations because these therapies could not have as striking of an effect as surgery. You can choose the solution that best fits your needs and goals by speaking with a licensed dermatologist or cosmetic professional.

Combined Procedures

Results can be improved by combining liposuction with additional surgical procedures. Extra skin can be removed and the area can become even more taut with a body lift or belly tuck.

Long-term Effects of Procedures on Body Shape

Permanent Changes

The shape of your body may change permanently as a result of plastic surgery. For example, liposuction permanently eliminates fat cells. Once those adipose cells are gone, they stay gone. But if you put on weight, the fat cells that are still there may swell.

Skin Elasticity

Your skin’s elasticity plays a role in long-term outcomes. Younger people usually have more elastic skin. This means their skin can adjust better after surgery. Older individuals might experience sagging or loose skin after procedures like liposuction.

Muscle and Fat Redistribution

Surgery doesn’t change how your body distributes muscle and fat over time. Your genetics still play a big role in this. While plastic surgery can remove or reshape certain areas, it won’t alter your body’s natural tendencies.

Maintenance Requirements

Psychological Impact

Maintaining results often requires effort on your part. Healthy lifestyle choices such as balanced diets and regular exercise help keep the new shape. Without these efforts, you might see changes that undo some of the surgical benefits.

The psychological effects can also be long-lasting. Some people feel more confident and satisfied with their appearance post-surgery. Others might need time to adjust to their new look.

Medical Risks

Future surgeries or healing processes may be impacted by the formation of scar tissue. For instance, keloids, or excessive scar tissue, might impair movement and necessitate further medical care. 

Health effects from complications such as anesthesia-related reactions or infections may also be long-lasting. If an infection is not treated right away, it may worsen and require more procedures or a longer course of antibiotic usage. 

Anesthesia side effects can range from minor inconveniences like nausea to serious problems like breathing problems. Furthermore, the body may reject foreign materials or implants utilized during surgery, which could result in more difficulties and the need for remedial treatments. 

These dangers emphasize how crucial it is to have in-depth discussions with licensed medical specialists before electing to have plastic surgery.

Keep in mind that such risks can be reduced with the right plastic surgeon. Do your own research and find a reputable surgeon, especially if you’re planning to find one online. It’s safer to ask from friends or even in online forums to get first-hand information.

Make Your Plastic Surgery Journey Safe

Think about the long-term effects and maintain realistic expectations. Consult with us at the Sadeghi Plastic Surgery before making decisions. If you’re considering surgery, do your homework. Your journey to self-improvement needs to start with informed choices.