Plastic Surgery
Body Contouring
Body contouring covers liposuction to remove stubborn fat, tummy tuck to tighten loose skin and fat transfer to balance proportions, performed under general anaesthesia or sedation.
- Method Liposuction, tummy tuck, fat transfer
- Anaesthesia General or sedation
- Surgery time Usually 1–4 hours
- Hospital stay Usually 1 night
- Stay in Istanbul Usually 7–10 days
The method
What Is Body Contouring?
Body contouring is the general name for the surgical procedures that remove localised fat resistant to diet and exercise, tighten loosened skin and rebalance the contours of the body. It is not a single operation but a family of procedures chosen to fit your needs and combined where necessary.
The three most common procedures are these. Liposuction removes localised fat by suction through fine cannulas; the waist, abdomen, hips, inner and outer thighs, arms, back and under the chin are the most common areas. A tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) removes skin that has sagged after pregnancy or weight loss and rejoins separated abdominal muscles. Fat transfer processes the fat that has been removed and injects it into areas where volume is wanted, such as the buttocks, breasts or face.
Alongside conventional liposuction, ultrasound-assisted techniques such as VASER are also used; the ultrasound selectively loosens fat cells, causes less damage to surrounding tissue and is preferred for defining muscle contours (high-definition liposuction). The choice of technique is the surgeon’s.
Body contouring is not a method of losing weight. It gives the best results in people close to their ideal weight, at a stable weight, with localised concerns; where there is significant excess weight, stabilising it comes first. Surgery is performed under general anaesthesia or sedation, takes 1–4 hours depending on its scope, and most procedures involve one night in hospital.
Surgery is performed at licensed partner hospitals in Istanbul by a plastic surgery specialist. JSH does not perform treatment; it coordinates the journey planned by the surgeon. Suitability and method are the surgeon’s decisions.
Choosing the method
Excess Fat, or Loose Skin?
The first question in planning is this: is the problem fat, loose skin, or both? If there is only excess fat and the skin is elastic, liposuction is enough; the skin adapts itself to the new contours.
If the skin has loosened and the abdominal muscles have separated (especially after pregnancy), sagging remains even when the fat is removed; a tummy tuck is then needed. Skin-removal procedures are planned in the same way for sagging of the arms and thighs after weight loss.
Fat that has been removed is assessed for areas where volume is wanted: fat from the waist and abdomen can be transferred to the buttocks or the face. How much is taken from which areas, and where it goes, is decided with markings at the examination.
Body mass index, skin elasticity and general health are assessed together; surgery is postponed in people whose weight is not stable.
Comparison
Liposuction or Tummy Tuck?
The two are often confused but answer different problems; in many patients they are planned together.
Liposuction
- Removes localised fat; does not remove skin
- Incisions of a few millimetres; scars fade
- Suitable for people with good skin elasticity
- General anaesthesia or sedation; usually 1–3 hours
- Compression garment for 4–6 weeks; desk work usually after 1 week
Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
- Removes excess skin, rejoins the abdominal muscles, repositions the navel
- A horizontal scar along the bikini line, hidden by underwear
- Suitable for sagging after pregnancy or weight loss
- General anaesthesia; usually 2–4 hours, 1–2 nights in hospital
- Compression garment for 6 weeks; return to work usually after 2–3 weeks
Contours Planned to Your Proportions
The aim is not the narrowest waist but a balanced ratio between shoulders, waist and hips. Where fat is taken from and where it goes is drawn to that ratio.
Suitability
Who Is It for?
Body contouring is considered for adults at a stable weight close to their ideal, with localised fat or sagging skin that diet and exercise cannot resolve, in good general health and non-smoking. In women who plan a pregnancy, a tummy tuck is usually left until after their family is complete.
Suitability is decided solely by the surgeon. Surgery is postponed in cases of significant excess weight, bleeding disorders, uncontrolled diabetes, active smoking and conditions that impair wound healing. No plan is made for an operation that is not suitable.
Planning
How Is the Trip Planned and How Long Is the Stay?
For patients from abroad the process usually fits into a trip of 7–10 days depending on the scope: examination and tests on arrival, surgery and one night in hospital the next day, dressings and removal of any drains on day 2–3, a stitch check and clearance to fly on day 7–10. A tummy tuck may need a stay one or two days longer.
A special compression garment is fitted immediately after surgery; it reduces swelling and helps the skin settle onto the new contours. The garment is usually worn all day for 4–6 weeks and then for half the day for a further period. Some surgeons recommend lymphatic drainage massage, which helps the swelling clear faster and is added to the plan where needed.
The result appears gradually: in the first weeks swelling hides the contours, they become defined at 6–8 weeks and the final look usually takes 6 months. Fat cells that have been removed do not come back; but when weight is gained the remaining cells enlarge, so the result depends on your later diet and activity.
The process
How Does the Surgery Work?
From your first message to your follow-up after returning home, the journey runs through a single coordinator. The surgery week has five stages.
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01
Assessment
Your photos, weight and medical history are sent to the surgeon; the plan is confirmed at the clinic with an examination, blood tests and an anaesthesia assessment.
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02
Planning and Markings
The areas for fat removal, skin removal and fat transfer are decided; markings are made standing up on the morning of surgery and symmetry is measured.
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03
Surgery
Under general anaesthesia or sedation, completed in 1–4 hours depending on scope. Tumescent fluid is infused, fat is removed through fine cannulas, and skin and muscle are corrected if needed. The compression garment is fitted.
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04
Hospital Stay and Discharge
You usually stay one night in hospital; after a walk and a dressing change the next day you move to your hotel. Medication and aftercare instructions are given in writing.
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05
Check-up and Return
Drains are checked on day 2–3 and stitches on day 7–10; you are cleared to fly and the return is arranged. The garment and check-ups continue with remote follow-up.
Where it takes place
At Partner Hospitals, Planned by Your Surgeon
Surgery is performed at licensed partner hospitals in Istanbul, in a fully equipped operating theatre, by a specialist in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery. Suitability, technique and the operation itself are the surgeon’s decisions; JSH does not influence them, it organises everything around them.
Our job is the rest of the journey: choosing the hospital and surgeon that fit your needs, passing your photos and medical history to the surgeon, building the surgery and follow-up schedule around your flights, transfers and accommodation, and remote check-ups after you return home.
We communicate in English, Turkish and Polish. Every step (hospital stay, check-up days, aftercare instructions, the date you are cleared to fly) is sent to you in writing, and you stay in touch with the same coordinator after you are back home.
Preparation and aftercare
What to Do Before and After Surgery
This list is for guidance only; the written instructions your surgeon gives you take precedence. Your coordinator is available for any question.
Before Surgery
- Stop blood thinners, aspirin and similar medication at least 7–10 days before surgery in consultation with your surgeon; report herbal supplements too.
- Stop smoking at least 2–4 weeks before surgery; it directly affects wound healing and blood supply to the tissues. Stop alcohol a week before.
- Tell us about chronic conditions, regular medication and previous operations during the assessment; pre-operative blood tests and, if needed, an anaesthesia consultation are carried out.
- Do not eat or drink after midnight before the operation (general anaesthesia).
- Plan for a companion and for the first night in hospital; bring comfortable, front-buttoning clothes.
- Keep your weight stable in the months before surgery; do not plan rapid weight loss or gain.
After Surgery
- Wear the compression garment for the time your surgeon specifies (usually 4–6 weeks) all day, removing it only to shower.
- Take short walks from the day of surgery to reduce the risk of clots; do not stay still for long periods and drink plenty of water.
- Do not lift heavy objects for the first 2 weeks; after a tummy tuck walk slightly bent forward for the first week and sleep on your back with your knees bent.
- Wait for your surgeon’s approval before showering; stay away from hot water, saunas and pools for at least 4 weeks.
- No smoking for at least 4 weeks; if lymphatic drainage massage has been recommended, keep the appointments.
- Return to heavy exercise gradually after 6 weeks; keep your weight stable, as the result depends on it.
Recovery
Recovery After Surgery
Timings are given for guidance only; recovery varies from person to person and is followed up by your doctor.
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First 3 Days
The garment is in place; tightness, tenderness, bruising and slight leakage from the cannula entry points are expected in the treated areas. Short walks begin on the first day.
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Week 1
Drains are removed and bruises begin to turn yellow. Pain resembles muscle ache and is controlled with medication; after liposuction, desk work can resume in this period.
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2–3 Weeks
Stitches are checked and swelling decreases noticeably. Return to work after a tummy tuck falls in this period; the garment continues.
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4–6 Weeks
The garment period ends and the contours begin to show. Light exercise and full daily life resume.
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3 Months
Most of the swelling has gone; the skin settles onto the new contours and scars begin to fade.
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6 Months
The final look is largely visible and scars mature. Results vary from person to person and with your later lifestyle.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About Body Contouring
No. Liposuction removes localised fat to improve contours; the amount removed does not show significantly on the scales. In people with excess weight, stabilising the weight comes first.
Fat cells that have been removed do not come back. But when weight is gained the remaining cells enlarge and the body may gain fat elsewhere; the result depends on your later diet and activity.
If the problem is only fat and the skin is elastic, liposuction is enough. If the skin has sagged and the abdominal muscles have separated, a tummy tuck is needed; the two are often planned together. The surgeon decides at the examination.
Nothing is felt during surgery under anaesthesia. Afterwards there is tenderness and tightness similar to muscle ache, usually well controlled with the prescribed medication.
Usually all day for 4–6 weeks, then for half the day for a further period. The garment reduces swelling and helps the skin settle; the surgeon sets the duration.
Liposuction incisions are a few millimetres long and fade. A tummy tuck leaves a horizontal scar along the bikini line, hidden by underwear, which fades within a year.
Desk work usually after 1 week following liposuction and after 2–3 weeks following a tummy tuck. Heavy exercise starts after 6 weeks with the surgeon’s approval.
In the first weeks swelling hides the contours; they become defined at 6–8 weeks and the final look usually takes 6 months.
Once breastfeeding has finished and weight has stabilised, usually at least 6–12 months after the birth. If another pregnancy is planned, a tummy tuck is usually left until later.
Usually 7–10 days: examination, surgery and one night in hospital, drain and stitch checks, clearance to fly. A tummy tuck may need slightly longer; the schedule is built around your flights.
Let’s Assess Your Suitability Together
Share your questions and, if you have them, your photos. Our team will complete a preliminary assessment with the partner clinic’s doctor and get back to you.