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Body contouring in Palm Beach Gardens

Some changes to the body refuse to respond to effort. You eat well, you train, and a pocket of fat around the waist stays put. Or pregnancy stretched the abdominal wall and left loose skin that no plank will tighten. Or weight loss gave you the number you wanted and a shape you didn't expect. Body contouring surgery exists for those situations.

Dr. Justin Bellamy is a board-certified plastic surgeon who treats patients from across Palm Beach County and beyond at his office in Palm Beach Gardens. His body work centers on four procedures: the tummy tuck, liposuction and Lipo 360, the mommy makeover and the Brazilian butt lift. This page explains how they differ, who tends to be a good match for each, and what to expect from the process.

Start with the problem, not the procedure

Most people arrive with a procedure name in mind. It helps more to start with what you are actually trying to change. Body shape problems generally come from some mix of four things, and each points toward a different operation.

• Fat that resists diet and exercise. Pockets on the abdomen, flanks, back or thighs. Liposuction addresses this directly.
• Loose or excess skin. Skin that has lost its elasticity, often after pregnancy or major weight loss, won't shrink after liposuction. It needs to be removed, as in a tummy tuck.
• Separated or stretched abdominal muscles. A bulge that doesn't go away with exercise can be diastasis recti, a gap between the two halves of the abdominal wall. A tummy tuck repairs it.
• Lack of volume in the buttocks. A Brazilian butt lift uses your own fat to add shape and projection.

Real cases usually involve more than one of these, which is why consultations matter. A patient who wants "just lipo" sometimes turns out to need a tummy tuck, and the reverse is true too.

Tummy tuck

A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, removes excess skin from the lower abdomen and tightens the underlying muscles. The scar sits low, usually hidden under underwear or a bikini bottom. It is the operation that can change the abdomen in ways liposuction can't, since it addresses skin and muscle, not just fat.

Many patients combine a tummy tuck with liposuction of the waist and back for a smoother overall contour. You may also hear people search for a "360 tummy tuck." Usually that means a tummy tuck paired with liposuction around the waist, or an extended technique that carries the correction toward the sides and back. If that's what you have in mind, bring it up at your consultation so it can be planned specifically. Read the full tummy tuck page.

Liposuction and Lipo 360

Liposuction removes fat through small incisions using thin tubes called cannulas. Lipo 360applies the same technique circumferentially, treating the abdomen, flanks and back so the waist is reshaped all the way around instead of just in the front. That is why it is often called "360."

It is a contouring procedure, not a weight loss method. The best candidates are close to a stable weight and have good skin elasticity, meaning skin that will settle around the new shape. If you are wondering about numbers, our posts on how much weight you can lose with Lipo 360 and Lipo 360 versus a tummy tuck go into detail.

Mommy makeover

A mommy makeover isn't one operation. It's a customized combination, usually a tummy tuck with a breast procedure such as a lift, augmentation or reduction, and sometimes liposuction. Doing them together means one anesthetic and one recovery period, which is a big draw for women who can't take time off more than once.

Timing matters. Most surgeons recommend waiting until you are done having children and your weight is stable. If you have been breastfeeding, waiting a few months after you finish helps the breasts settle into their new size before surgery.

Brazilian butt lift

A Brazilian butt lift, or BBL, transfers your own fat from areas such as the abdomen, flanks or back to the buttocks. The liposuction part shapes the donor area, and the grafting part adds volume and curve. Because it uses your own tissue, you need enough donor fat to work with, and not every patient has that.

BBL has a well-known safety history. The main danger comes from fat being injected too deeply into or near the muscle, which can raise the risk of a serious complication. It is worth asking any surgeon exactly how they control injection depth and how they lower that risk. Dr. Bellamy will walk you through his approach at your visit.

Are you a good candidate?

The details vary by procedure, but several things apply to nearly everyone:

• Your weight is stable, and you are not planning to lose or gain much.
• You are in good general health, and any medical conditions are well controlled.
• You do not smoke or use nicotine, or you are willing to stop well ahead of surgery and through healing.
• Your goals are realistic. Body contouring improves shape and proportion. It doesn't replace healthy habits.

If you have significant excess skin after large weight loss, tell us. A tummy tuck can address the abdomen, and more extensive skin removal is evaluated case by case at the consultation.

Getting ready for surgery

Preparation starts weeks before the operating room. If you use nicotine in any form, you will be asked to stop well ahead of time, because it restricts blood flow and raises the risk of wound problems. You may also need to pause certain medications and supplements that affect bleeding, and complete some routine health checks.

The practical side matters as much. Arrange help at home for the first several days, since lifting, bending and even getting out of a low chair can be hard. Set up a recovery spot with pillows so you can rest in the position you're told to hold. Stock the fridge, fill prescriptions ahead of time and clear your calendar so you're not tempted to rush back. Patients who plan for the boring parts tend to have a calmer recovery.

What recovery is like

Recovery depends on the operation, but you can expect a compression garment, swelling that lasts for weeks, and a gradual return to normal. Short walks starting the first day help with circulation and are encouraged. Most patients return to desk work within one to two weeks after liposuction and often a little later after a tummy tuck, and heavier exercise waits four to six weeks or longer. Swelling keeps improving for several months, and scars keep maturing for a year or more.

Your own timeline will be set at your consultation and checked at each follow-up. The single biggest thing you can do to help your recovery is to follow your instructions exactly, especially about garments, activity limits and avoiding nicotine.

Cost and what affects it

Body contouring costs vary with the procedure or combination, the amount of work involved, the surgical facility, anesthesia and the follow-up care included. Because a single price can't reflect a range of possibilities, quotes come after your examination. When you compare quotes from different practices, ask what is included, since the headline number does not always cover facility, anesthesia, garments or follow-up visits. It also helps to ask what happens if you need a small revision later, and whether that is included, so there are no surprises down the road.

Choosing your surgeon

Look for board certification, extensive experience with the specific procedure you want, an accredited surgical facility and results you can see. Ask to view healed before-and-after photos and pay attention to whether the results look natural for the patients' frames. Dr. Bellamy shares patient outcomes in the photo gallery and on Instagram, so you can judge his work yourself.

Your consultation

Your first visit is a conversation. Dr. Bellamy will examine you, talk through what bothers you and what you'd like to see, and explain which procedure or combination makes sense, or whether surgery is the right step at all. From your first visit through recovery, he stays in direct contact with you and, if you'd like, your family. To begin, request a consultation or call (561) 705-0044. The office is at 2865 PGA Boulevard, Suite 100-A, in Palm Beach Gardens, and welcomes patients from West Palm Beach, Jupiter, Boca Raton and beyond.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Lipo 360?

Lipo 360 is liposuction that treats the abdomen, sides and back together so the waist is reshaped all the way around. It removes stubborn fat that diet and exercise haven't shifted. It is a contouring procedure, not a weight loss method, and it works best when your skin is elastic enough to settle around the new shape.

How much does Lipo 360 cost in Palm Beach?

The cost depends on how many areas are treated, the amount of fat removed, the facility and anesthesia, and what follow-up is included. Because it varies from person to person, you will get a written quote after your consultation. Ask what the quote covers so you can compare practices fairly.

How much fat can be removed with Lipo 360?

There is a safety limit on how much can be removed in a single session, and it depends on your size, health and the areas treated. Surgeons consider removal of very large volumes, often above roughly five liters, as higher risk. Dr. Bellamy sets the plan for you and will tell you if a staged approach is the safer option.

Lipo 360 or tummy tuck: which is better?

It depends on whether your concern is fat or skin. Lipo 360 removes fat and works when your skin is elastic. A tummy tuck removes loose skin and tightens the abdominal muscles. If you have both fat and loose skin, many patients combine them. Check out the post on Lipo 360 versus tummy tuck that will help you sort out which fits.

Can I combine procedures in one surgery?

Often yes, and many patients do, for example a tummy tuck with liposuction or a mommy makeover. Combining reduces the number of anesthetics and recovery periods, but longer surgeries add some risk. Dr. Bellamy will tell you what is safe to combine in your case.

How long should I wait after having a baby for a mommy makeover?

Most surgeons recommend waiting until you have finished having children, your weight is stable, and at least a few months have passed since you stopped breastfeeding. Your breasts and abdomen need time to settle into their long-term shape. Your consultation will clarify timing for you.

Can I have a BBL if I am thin?

A Brazilian butt lift needs enough donor fat to get a meaningful result, so very lean patients may not be good candidates. Your surgeon can assess how much fat is available. If it is limited, they will talk with you about realistic alternatives.

Will I have scars after a tummy tuck?

Yes, a tummy tuck leaves a scar, usually low across the lower abdomen and placed to sit beneath underwear or swimwear. There is also a scar around the navel. Scars fade over a year or more, and how they heal depends partly on your own skin. Following your care instructions helps.

How long do body contouring results last?

Results can last for many years, as long as your weight stays stable. Removed fat cells don't grow back in treated areas, but remaining fat cells can expand with weight gain. Pregnancy, aging and big weight swings can change the results over time.

What if I have loose skin after losing a lot of weight?

Excess skin doesn't respond to liposuction, so surgery to remove it is usually needed. A tummy tuck treats the abdomen, and more extensive skin removal is evaluated case by case. Bring photos and your weight history to your consultation and Dr. Bellamy will explain your options.