Body contouring surgery removes excess skin and fat, reshaping and tightening your body after significant weight loss from bariatric surgery, lifestyle changes, or medical interventions. These procedures can address concerns in areas like the abdomen, breasts, arms, thighs, buttocks, and back, either individually or combined.
Dr. Beth Collins at The Collins Center specializes in body contouring to help patients complete their weight loss journey, bringing fellowship training in post-bariatric reconstruction along with her board certifications. She focuses on creating balanced, natural proportions that improve comfort, mobility, and confidence. She understands that significant weight loss is a major health achievement worthy of celebration.
Treatable Areas
- Abdomen and waistline (excess skin and separated muscles)
- Breasts (deflated volume, sagging, asymmetry)
- Upper arms (hanging tissue from shoulder to elbow)
- Inner and outer thighs (loose skin and contour irregularities)
- Lower back and flanks (rolls and bulges)
- Buttocks (flattened or sagging appearance)
- Upper back and bra line areas
How Body Contouring Works
Body contouring surgery removes excess skin and fat from specific areas, then reshapes the remaining tissue for a more balanced appearance. Dr. Collins chooses procedures based on your concerns and the amount of excess tissue. Common options are tummy tucks (abdominoplasty) for the midsection, breast lift or augmentation for the chest, arm lift (brachioplasty) for the arms, thigh lift (thighplasty) for the legs, and a full body lift for lower body issues.
Many patients need multiple procedures to address all areas, but doing everything at once isn’t safe. Dr. Collins creates a plan, starting with your biggest concerns, often the abdomen and breasts, then moving to arms and thighs several months later. This staged approach lets you heal properly while working towards your goals. Each surgery removes a significant amount of tissue (often 10 pounds or more) using advanced techniques to minimize complications, scarring, and create lasting results. The process takes 3-6 hours, usually requires general anesthesia, and involves several weeks of recovery. While it’s a commitment, the physical and emotional benefits are well-documented and often make it worthwhile.
Whether you need surgical precision, metabolic wellness, or non-surgical refinement, we look at the big picture. Let’s design a unified treatment plan that addresses your health and beauty under one roof.
Results You’ll Love
- Dramatic elimination of excess, hanging skin throughout your body
- A proportionate silhouette that accurately reflects your weight loss success
- Relief from chronic skin irritation, rashes, and hygiene challenges
- Significantly improved mobility and ability to exercise comfortably
- Better-fitting clothing that flatters your actual body size
- Measurable improvements in quality of life and mental health]
- Enhanced body image satisfaction and self-confidence
- Long-term results that remain stable with weight maintenance
Are You a Candidate for Body Contouring?
- You’ve lost 50 pounds or more and maintained a stable weight for at least 6 to 12 months
- You have significant excess skin in one or multiple body areas
- Your excess tissue causes physical discomfort, limits activities, or creates hygiene issues
- You’re committed to maintaining your weight loss through healthy lifestyle habits
- You’re in good overall health with well-controlled chronic conditions
- You don’t smoke or will quit completely before and after surgery
- You understand that extensive surgery requires significant recovery time
- You accept visible scarring as necessary to achieve improved body contours
Why Choose The Collins Center
- Dedicated body contouring fellowship credentials – Dr. Collins pursued additional years of specialized training beyond her plastic surgery residency, focusing exclusively on complex post-weight loss reconstruction techniques
- Comprehensive surgical board certifications – Holding certifications from both the American Board of Surgery and American Board of Plastic Surgery demonstrates exceptional surgical proficiency earned through elite academic preparation
- Decades of transformative surgical practice – With more than 25 years devoted entirely to plastic and reconstructive surgery, Dr. Collins has guided countless patients through successful body contouring journeys
- Medical evidence guides every decision – Treatment recommendations stem exclusively from peer-reviewed research and established surgical principles, never from unverified cosmetic fads
- Profoundly compassionate patient understanding – Dr. Collins’ personal experience with surgical recovery and body transformation enables authentic empathy for the physical and emotional aspects of your journey
FAQs about Body Contouring
How long should I wait after weight loss before having body contouring?
Wait 6 to 12 months to stabilize your weight before body contouring surgery. This ensures your weight is steady and won’t change much after surgery, which is important for good results. This time also helps you develop healthy eating habits, which improve recovery and outcomes.
Will insurance cover body contouring procedures?
Most body contouring surgeries are cosmetic and not covered by insurance. However, some patients with medical problems caused by excess skin – like chronic infections, severe rashes, or mobility issues – might get some coverage for specific procedures like panniculectomy. The Collins Center can help you understand insurance options if you have medical issues related to excess tissue.
How many body contouring procedures will I need?
The number of procedures needed varies depending on where you have excess tissue and how much it affects you. Some patients need just one or two surgeries, while those with significant weight loss often require three to five surgeries over 12 to 24 months to address all areas. Dr. Collins evaluates your whole body during a consultation and creates a plan that prioritizes your specific needs and goals.
What does body contouring recovery involve?
Recovery time depends on the procedures you have, but generally takes 2 to 6 weeks off from work and daily life. You’ll likely need help at home for the first week, need to wear compression garments for several weeks, and will have limitations on activity for 4 to 6 weeks. Most patients find recovery challenging but manageable, with discomfort controlled with prescribed medication.
Will body contouring help me lose more weight?
Body contouring isn’t a weight loss procedure, it’s a body reshaping procedure. While surgery does remove several pounds of tissue, its primary purpose is eliminating excess skin and creating better contours, not reducing your weight. You should be at or very near your goal weight before considering body contouring surgery.
Can I combine multiple body contouring procedures?
Yes, combining procedures is often done to avoid multiple anesthesias and recovery periods. However, safety limits how many can be done at once. Dr. Collins carefully considers your health, the surgery needed, and safety guidelines to decide which procedures can be combined and which need to be done separately.
How long do body contouring results last?
Results are meant to last, as removed skin and fat don’t grow back. To maintain them, you need to keep your weight stable with healthy eating and exercise. Significant weight gain or loss after body contouring can change your appearance and affect your results. Natural aging continues, but most patients enjoy their improved body shape for years to come.
Schedule your consultation with Dr. Collins today to explore how personalized body contouring can help you achieve the proportionate, comfortable body that matches your incredible health transformation.
