Cosmetic surgery
Body Contouring in Pasadena & Sherman Oaks
Liposuction, tummy tuck, body lift, arm and thigh lift, Brazilian butt lift, and post-weight-loss contouring: body procedures at Cosmetic Doc are planned by Dr. Husam Elias to remove what holds you back and shape proportions that look natural in and out of clothing.
Body Contouring Surgery at Cosmetic Doc
Body contouring is a group of surgical procedures that reshape the body by removing stubborn fat, tightening loose skin, repairing stretched muscle, or transferring fat to where you want more volume. It is not a weight-loss method. Instead, it refines the shape of a body that is already at or near a stable, healthy weight, often after diet, exercise, pregnancy, or significant weight loss have done what they can.
At Cosmetic Doc, Dr. Husam Elias plans each body procedure around your proportions as a whole. A flatter abdomen should still flow naturally into the waist and hips, and slimmer arms should suit your shoulders and frame. The goal is a result that looks like a healthier, more confident version of you, never an obvious surgical change.
Fat, Skin, or Muscle?
The right procedure depends on what is causing the concern. Pockets of diet-resistant fat with good skin elasticity often respond well to liposuction. Loose, hanging skin will not tighten on its own after fat is removed, so it usually requires an excisional procedure such as a tummy tuck, arm lift, or thigh lift. Abdominal muscles separated by pregnancy, a condition called diastasis recti, are repaired during a tummy tuck. Many patients have a combination of all three, which is why a careful examination matters more than a procedure name.
Body procedures
Body Contouring Options at Cosmetic Doc
From focused fat reduction to comprehensive skin tightening, each procedure below addresses a different concern. Many patients benefit from a thoughtful combination.
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Liposuction
Removes stubborn fat through small incisions to refine the abdomen, flanks, back, thighs, arms, and chin, including 360-degree contouring of the midsection for a smoother silhouette.
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Tummy Tuck
Abdominoplasty removes loose lower abdominal skin, tightens separated abdominal muscles, and creates a flatter, firmer midsection, often after pregnancy or significant weight loss.
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Body Lift
A circumferential procedure that removes excess skin around the abdomen, flanks, and lower back, and lifts the buttocks and outer thighs, typically after major weight loss.
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Arm Lift
Brachioplasty removes loose, hanging skin and fat from the upper arms, with the incision placed along the inner arm to be as discreet as possible, for a firmer, slimmer contour.
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Thigh Lift
Removes excess skin and fat from the inner or outer thighs to reduce chafing and sagging and create a smoother, more toned shape from hip to knee.
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Post-Weight-Loss Contouring
A staged or combined plan to address loose skin after major weight loss, whether through bariatric surgery, GLP-1 medications, or lifestyle change, once your weight is stable.
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Brazilian Butt Lift
A BBL uses liposuction to slim areas such as the waist and flanks, then transfers purified fat to the buttocks for natural-looking volume and shape using your own tissue.
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Male Body Procedures
Contouring designed for men, including male chest reduction for gynecomastia, flank and abdominal liposuction, and skin tightening after weight loss, for a leaner, more defined shape.
Body Contouring After Weight Loss
Losing a significant amount of weight is a real accomplishment, whether it came through bariatric surgery, GLP-1 medications, or years of steady lifestyle change. Many patients are surprised to find that their skin does not shrink along with the weight, leaving loose folds on the abdomen, arms, thighs, back, or chest that can be uncomfortable, cause irritation, and hide the results of their hard work.
Body contouring after weight loss is usually most successful once your weight has been stable for several months, so results are not affected by further change. If you are taking a weight-loss medication, Dr. Elias will ask about your current dose and plans and coordinate with your prescribing physician about timing and any adjustments needed around surgery. Because several areas are often involved, your plan may combine procedures in one operation or stage them to keep each surgery safe and recovery manageable.
Recovery and Safety
Body procedures are performed in our AAAHC-accredited Pasadena surgery center or our accredited Sherman Oaks surgical suite, with anesthesia matched to the scope of surgery. You will wear compression garments, and gentle walking begins soon after surgery to support circulation. Recovery varies widely, from about a week for focused liposuction to several weeks for a tummy tuck or body lift. Many patients pair body contouring with breast surgery, and fat removed during liposuction can sometimes be used for facial fat grafting.
Why Cosmetic Doc
Body Contouring With a Sculptor's Eye
The best body contouring looks effortless. Here is what guides every plan Dr. Elias creates.
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Treat the Real Cause
Fat, loose skin, and separated muscle each need a different solution, so your plan is built on a careful exam rather than a single procedure name.
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Shape Natural Proportions
Every change is planned in relation to your waist, hips, chest, and frame, so results look balanced from every angle rather than focused on one area.
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Combine Thoughtfully
Procedures can often be paired to shorten total recovery, but only when the combined operating time is safe for your health and your body.
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Support Weight-Loss Patients
Whether you lost weight through surgery, medication, or lifestyle change, your contouring plan respects that effort and is timed around a stable weight.
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Trust Accredited Safety
Surgery takes place in our AAAHC-accredited Pasadena surgery center, where Dr. Elias serves as Medical Director, or our accredited Sherman Oaks surgical suite.
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Recover With Guidance
Clear instructions, compression garments, and close follow-up with Dr. Elias help you heal comfortably and protect your results as swelling settles.
Body Contouring Cost
The cost of body contouring depends on the procedures chosen, the number of areas treated, the technique, the type of anesthesia, facility fees, and whether procedures are combined or staged. After your consultation, you will receive a personalized, written quote. Body contouring is generally elective and not covered by insurance. We accept cash, checks, major credit and debit cards, and financing plans that spread your investment into monthly payments.
Schedule Your Body Contouring Consultation
Whether you want to refine one stubborn area or restore your shape after major weight loss, Cosmetic Doc will help you understand your options clearly and honestly. Schedule your consultation at our Pasadena office or our Sherman Oaks office to meet Dr. Elias and create a plan that fits your body and your goals.
Questions patients ask
Body Contouring FAQs
Should I get liposuction or a tummy tuck?
Liposuction removes fat but does not tighten loose skin or repair separated muscles. If your abdominal skin is firm and your main concern is fat, liposuction may be enough. If you have loose skin or a lower belly pooch after pregnancy or weight loss, a tummy tuck is usually the more effective choice.
When can I have body contouring after weight loss?
Most patients are best served by waiting until their weight has been stable for several months, which helps results last and lowers surgical risk. If you are taking a GLP-1 or other weight-loss medication, Dr. Elias will discuss your plans and coordinate timing with your prescribing physician before surgery.
What is male chest reduction?
Male chest reduction treats gynecomastia, an enlargement of breast tissue in men. Depending on whether the fullness comes from fat, glandular tissue, or both, the procedure may use liposuction, removal of gland tissue through a small incision around the areola, or a combination, to create a flatter, more masculine chest.
Can several body procedures be done at once?
Often, yes. Liposuction is commonly combined with a tummy tuck, and some patients pair body contouring with a breast procedure. Dr. Elias recommends combinations only when the total operating time is safe for you, and larger post-weight-loss plans are sometimes staged into separate surgeries for safety.
How long is recovery after body contouring?
Recovery depends on the procedure. Many liposuction patients return to desk work within about a week, while a tummy tuck, body lift, or thigh lift typically requires two weeks or more before returning to work and several weeks before strenuous exercise. Swelling continues to settle over several months.
Will I have scars after a tummy tuck or arm lift?
Excisional procedures do leave scars, but Dr. Elias places incisions where they are easiest to hide, such as low on the abdomen within underwear or along the inner arm. Scars typically start pink and firm, then soften and fade over the first year, and scar care helps them mature well.
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Your Choice for Expert Cosmetic Surgery in Pasadena & Sherman Oaks
Cosmetic Doc delivers board-certified cosmetic surgery with care, compassion, and artistry. From facelifts and rhinoplasty to body contouring, Dr. Husam Elias pairs dual MD/DMD training with an on-site AAAHC-accredited surgery center for the safest, most natural-looking results. Contact our Pasadena or Sherman Oaks office today to schedule your consultation.