What Options Are Available for Body Contouring Surgery?

Posted August 25, 2026 in Body Procedures by Josef Hadeed, MD

Curvy woman in white underwear

Significant weight loss is a major accomplishment! However, excess skin and stubborn fat may remain even after you reach your goal weight and work to maintain it. Body contouring surgery can remove that extra skin, reduce localized fat, and reshape areas of the body that are resistant to exercise and diet. This blog covers some of the most popular body contouring procedures, complementary procedures, recovery, and candidacy to help you feel more informed and confident in a consultation and on your overall body contouring journey.

10 Min Read:

What Are My Body Contouring Surgery Options?
Can Body Contouring Be Combined With Other Procedures?
Will I Need Multiple Surgeries for Body Contouring Surgery?
What Is the Recovery Process After Body Contouring Surgery?
Who Is a Candidate for Body Contouring?

What Are My Body Contouring Surgery Options?

Body contouring encompasses a wide selection of procedures designed to remove excess skin or fat and create a more balanced physique. After weight loss, it’s common to struggle with hanging skin, loose skin, and stubborn fat deposits that prevent you from being able to fully enjoy your accomplishment.

Dr. Josef Hadeed specializes in body contouring and has helped countless patients achieve their goals with custom treatment plans. The following procedures are among the most common body contouring surgeries patients choose after achieving significant weight loss.

Liposuction

Liposuction targets stubborn pockets of fat that diet and exercise often can’t get rid of. This procedure can address areas such as the abdomen, hips, thighs, arms, and chin. It can be performed as a standalone procedure, or combined with a skin-removal procedure.

Arm Lift

An arm lift, or brachioplasty, addresses excess skin and tissue in the upper arms. Significant weight loss can leave loose skin that creates a hanging or “bat-wing” appearance that only surgery can correct. During an arm lift, the excess tissue is removed to create a firmer, more defined contour in the upper arm.

Body Lift

A body lift is a more comprehensive option for patients with significant excess skin following major weight loss. This procedure can address excess tissue in multiple areas at once, such as the abdomen, waist, hips, buttocks, and back, depending on your surgical plan. A body lift is an excellent option for creating a more cohesive contour throughout the lower body.

Tummy Tuck

A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, primarily addresses excess skin and fat in the abdomen. Dr. Hadeed removes loose skin, tightens the muscles if needed, and repositions the navel. The result is a flatter stomach with streamlined contours for an overall slimmer waistline.

Can Body Contouring Be Combined With Other Procedures?

Body contouring doesn’t have to be limited to areas with excess skin. Many patients want to address multiple areas of the body in their transformation.

For example, the breasts are a common area affected by weight loss. Some patients may wish to combine breast procedures with body contouring for a more comprehensive result. Depending on your goals, some additional options may include:

Breast lift: Removes excess skin and reshapes the breasts to address sagging.
Breast augmentation: Uses implants to increase volume and restore fullness.
Brazilian Butt Lift: Uses transferred fat to enhance the size and shape of the buttocks.
Fat transfer: Removes fat from one area of the body and transfers it to another area to restore volume and improve contours.

Combining procedures depends heavily on a variety of factors, including candidacy and safety. You and your surgeon must carefully consider your overall health, anatomy, goals, and recovery. During your consultation, Dr. Hadeed can determine the most appropriate combination of procedures for your needs.

Will I Need Multiple Surgeries for Body Contouring Surgery?

No, not necessarily. It depends on your goals and starting anatomy. Some patients can achieve their desired results with a single body-contouring procedure, while others may benefit from addressing multiple areas.

When several areas of the body are included in a patient’s surgical plan, there are a few ways to go about it. Oftentimes, procedures can be combined into a single operation. In other cases, Dr. Hadeed may recommend staging procedures—performing them separately over time. Staging procedures are often recommended when patients have a significant amount of excess skin following major weight loss and require more extensive body contouring. Staging procedures can be a safer route by minimizing operating time and providing longer-lasting, better results.

The number of procedures and sequence will depend on the extent of your concerns, the areas you want to address, and what can safely be accomplished during each operation. Dr. Hadeed will develop a surgical plan based on your individual anatomy and aesthetic goals, combining procedures when appropriate and staging them in a sequence when it’s safer to do so.

What Is the Recovery Process After Body Contouring Surgery?

Recovery varies depending on the procedures performed and your individual healing process.

Recovery may involve surgical drains, and you may need to wear a compression garment for several weeks to help control swelling and support your contours as the tissues settle into their new position. Swelling and bruising are common, but you can manage the discomfort with prescription or over-the-counter medications.

You’ll receive specific instructions tailored to your unique surgical plan. These will include activity restrictions and guidance on when you can return to work and resume your exercise routine. Following your instructions and adhering to Dr. Hadeed’s activity restrictions will allow for the smoothest recovery possible and pave the way for the best results.

Who Is a Candidate for Body Contouring?

If you have excess skin or stubborn fat after significant weight loss, pregnancy, aging, or other changes in body composition, you may be a candidate for body contouring.

Before pursuing surgery, you should be at or near a stable weight and in good overall health. Ideal candidates should have realistic expectations for what surgery can accomplish, and understand that body contouring is not a substitute for weight loss.

During your consultation, Dr. Hadeed will evaluate your anatomy, discuss the areas that concern you, and learn more about your overall goals. He can then recommend procedures that may be more appropriate for the results you desire.

Learn More About Body Contouring Surgery in Beverly Hills

If loose skin and stubborn fat keep you from enjoying the results of your weight loss, body contouring can help you achieve a more streamlined silhouette, improved confidence, and a better quality of life. Dr. Josef Hadeed is a board-certified plastic surgeon and body contouring expert who can help you explore your options and create a treatment plan tailored to your needs.

To schedule your consultation, call our office today at (310) 970-2940 or complete our online contact form.