After a person has stomach stapling or gastric bypass, they lose tremendous amounts of weight. Once the patient has lost the excess and has returned to a more normal weight, they find the skin on their body has become stretched. The loose skin hangs on legs, arms, stomachs and chests. Body shaping and contouring is the surgical process that removes the extra skin.

A body lift is a procedure that surgically tightens the skin around the entire body in one stage. This is much more extensive surgery, has greater risks, and requires extended hospitalization. Body lifts are often completed in two or three operations.

With the increasing popularity of various cosmetic surgery procedures, including body shaping and contouring, it is important that the prospective patient research and understand different issues like what the procedure can and cannot treat, inherent risks, costs, and other factors.