How Plastic Surgery Gives You the Body Shape You Want
Changing the natural body type you were born with is challenging—if not virtually impossible—because by the time we reach adulthood, the number of fat cells we have, our proportions, and our bone structure are pretty much fixed. In addition to genetics, our shape is also determined by factors such as hormones and age. Beauty comes in all shapes and sizes, but many of us strive to attain a physique that’s closer to what we believe is ideal. On women, an S-shaped silhouette with a narrow waist and shapely curves is thought of as pleasing, while for men, the most desirable body is deemed to be a lean but powerful V-shape consisting of a large, muscular back and shoulders leading down to a narrow pelvis. Unfortunately, we can’t spot reduce fat from certain areas through exercise and dieting. However, in the San Francisco Bay Area, liposuction and other body sculpting procedures can be used to help patients achieve their goals.
Although you won’t be able to completely change your body type, surgical fat reduction and related body shaping treatments can make your frame appear more balanced. Here’s how plastic surgery can benefit each body shape.
Women’s Body Shapes
Apple
Do you tend to gain most of your fat on the belly? Apple-shaped women are heavier around the waists, arms, and breasts, with thinner hips and legs. A tummy tuck is a good choice for a patient who is otherwise slender but wants a slimmer, firmer stomach. It involves removing unwanted fat and excess skin, as well as strengthening core muscles as necessary. Tucks are often paired with liposuction. Some women with very large breasts also opt for a breast reduction to make their chest more proportional.
Pear
Pear-shaped women have the opposite body type to the apple shape and accumulate more of their fat on the hips, thighs, and butt. Women naturally have the tendency to gain more weight on the lower body because of estrogen. If you’re unable to slim down this region, liposuction can be used to remove fat from the hips, saddlebags on the outer thighs, inner thigh fat, a banana roll, and lower leg fat. Breast augmentation creates fuller breasts for those who are self-conscious about being naturally flatter chested.
Rectangle
A rectangular body is relatively straight all over with similar measurements and not many curves. Women with this body type usually want to focus making their waist smaller. Liposuction can give you more defined curves by slimming the waist and flanks. To enhance your curves, consider a breast augmentation or Brazilian butt lift with autologous fat grafting.
Hourglass
An hourglass shape has proportional curves with a slim waist. In other words, the bust is in proportion with the legs and butt. Women with this body shape could try procedures for either the upper or lower body to reduce extra fat around the curves.
Men’s Body Shapes
Oval
A man with an oval-shaped body carries most of his weight on the abdomen, which is wider than his shoulders and hips. This area is where men commonly gain more weight. Liposuction can help to slim down the midsection and make your limbs look longer or be used for male breast reduction to create a more masculine appearance.
Triangle
If you are triangle shaped, this means your waist and hips are broader than your chest, which can make it difficult to find clothes that fit. Liposuction can remove fat from the waist, hips, and lower back.
Inverted Triangle (V-Shape)
Accentuated, muscular shoulders, arms, and chests are generally considered to be attractive attributes for men. Try liposuction or CoolSculpting® fat reduction for any small pockets of fat you can’t get rid of, such as slight love handles or a double chin.
Rectangle
The rectangle shape is slender with the shoulders, waist, and hips having the same measurements—just like the female rectangle. If you want to create the illusion of broader shoulders and a more athletic torso, you can do so with your clothing choices, as well as by focusing on procedures that help you lose fat from the waist.
Explore liposuction and other cosmetic surgery procedures available in the San Francisco Bay Area. To start planning your procedure at The Jacobs Center for Cosmetic Surgery, call directly at 415.433.0303 or fill out a contact form.