Body Contouring

Conveniently located to serve the areas of Pasadena, CA

Body Contouring

Body contouring is a series of procedures designed to rejuvenate and reshape the body through a variety of surgical techniques. (1)

Our bodies tell the story of our lives. Weight changes, pregnancy, aging, and genetics all leave their mark, sometimes in ways that no longer reflect how we feel inside. Loose skin, stubborn pockets of fat, or areas that have lost definition can affect both confidence and physical comfort. While a healthy lifestyle is essential for overall well-being, diet and exercise alone cannot always address these concerns. Body contouring procedures offer a way to refine, restore, and revitalize various areas of the body, helping you feel a renewed sense of self.

Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Caroline Min offers a wide variety of body contouring treatments to address individual concerns. Whether you are interested in tightening loose skin, enhancing curves, or rejuvenating your figure after pregnancy, Dr. Min takes a patient-centered approach to each body contouring procedure. She tailors every treatment uniquely to the individual, ensuring results that align with your body and your goals.

Contact Dr. Min’s office online or call/text (626) 214-5727 to begin your body contouring journey. Additionally, you can contact Dr. Min’s office via email at [email protected].

About Body Contouring

Body contouring is not a single treatment, but a collection of procedures that sculpt, lift, and refine specific areas of the body. At Dr. Min’s practice, patients have access to a full spectrum of options that target concerns ranging from stubborn fat to loose skin.

Liposuction

Liposuction is one of the most effective ways to remove stubborn fat deposits and is consistently one of the most common cosmetic procedures worldwide. (3) Dr. Min uses advanced techniques such as ultrasound-assisted liposuction to gently remove fat while sculpting the treatment area for smooth, natural results. Liposuction enhances contour and definition — it is not a weight-loss procedure, but rather a sculpting tool to improve proportion.

Common target areas include the neck, abdomen, thighs, arms, flanks, hips, and back.

Because liposuction permanently removes fat cells, results are long-lasting when patients maintain a stable weight and commitment to a healthy lifestyle.

Arm Lift (Brachioplasty)

An arm lift, or brachioplasty, addresses sagging skin on the upper arms. (1) Even with regular exercise, the arms may develop loose tissue due to weight changes or aging. Dr. Min performs arm lift procedures to remove excess skin and fat, creating a more defined contour.

She places incisions discreetly along the underside of the arm, allowing for a smoother appearance. Patients who have felt self-conscious in sleeveless clothing often experience a boost in confidence and freedom after this procedure.

If the scars from a traditional arm lift surgery are a concern, Dr. Min also offers liposuction of the arms combined with Renuvion® skin tightening. Renuvion® is an advanced technology that uses a precise combination of helium plasma and radiofrequency energy to gently contract and tighten the skin from beneath the surface. When paired with liposuction, it can enhance contour while stimulating skin tightening. This option is best suited for patients with mild to moderate skin laxity who desire improved definition without the longer scar associated with brachioplasty. While it does not replace the dramatic tightening achieved with surgical skin removal, it can provide meaningful improvement for carefully selected candidates.

During your consultation, Dr. Min will assess your skin quality, degree of laxity, and aesthetic goals to determine whether liposuction with Renuvion® or a traditional arm lift would provide the results you are looking for.

Mommy Makeover

A mommy makeover combines multiple procedures, often including tummy tuck, liposuction, and breast surgery, to restore balance and rejuvenate the figure. While these procedures are commonly performed after pregnancy, you do not have to be a mother to benefit from them. Many women experience changes from weight fluctuations, aging, or genetics that can be addressed through a customized surgical plan.

Each mommy makeover procedure is unique and is tailored to the needs of each patient. No two bodies — and no two goals — are the same. During your consultation, Dr. Min carefully evaluates your anatomy, listens to your concerns, and designs a thoughtful, personalized approach to help restore proportion, enhance contour, and achieve natural, harmonious results.

Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

A tummy tuck restores a flat, firm midsection by removing excess abdominal skin and tightening the abdominal muscles. (5) This procedure is particularly beneficial for individuals who have experienced pregnancy or weight fluctuations that stretched the muscles and skin. During a tummy tuck, Dr. Min works to strengthen the abdominal wall, smooth the contour, and enhance waist definition. Patients often find that a tummy tuck not only improves their appearance but also supports better posture and core stability.

The AYON Body Contouring SystemTM

Dr. Min is proud to offer the Ayon™ Body Contouring Platform — an advanced, state-of-the-art system designed to enhance precision, safety, and results in body contouring procedures. The AYON Body Contouring System is a state-of-the-art treatment platform that integrates several powerful technologies within one system. It includes advanced ultrasound-assisted liposuction, power-assisted liposuction, Renuvion® tissue tightening, and electrocautery, as well as closed-loop fat transfer. Dr. Min uses this intelligent system at her office to perform liposuction under local anesthesia, allowing her patients to benefit from one of the most advanced technologies in body contouring surgery available today.

Ideal Candidates

Body contouring is a versatile field of cosmetic enhancement, meaning your eligibility will depend on which treatment you elect to undergo. Ideal candidates for body contouring include individuals who are:

  • In good overall health
  • At or near a stable weight
  • Struggling with excess skin or fat that is resistant to exercise
  • Seeking to improve body proportions and silhouette
  • Not using nicotine or willing to refrain temporarily
  • Holding realistic expectations for results

Dr. Min will establish which body contouring procedures you are eligible for during your personal consultation.

Personal Consultation

During your personal consultation, Dr. Min will discuss your medical history, current health, and personal goals. She will perform a physical evaluation of the areas you want to improve and explain the available procedures. Together, you will design a personalized treatment plan that establishes which body contouring procedures will help you reach your goals. This process ensures that your plan is custom, whether you are addressing a single area or pursuing a full-body approach. Dr. Min prioritizes patient education and open communication so that you feel fully prepared for your treatment.

To schedule your personal consultation, contact Dr. Caroline Min’s office online, call or text (626) 214-5727, or send an email to [email protected].

Preparation

To help ensure safe and effective results, Dr. Min may require you to:

  • Avoid nicotine and alcohol in the weeks before surgery
  • Stop or adjust certain medications and supplements
  • Arrange for transportation on the day of surgery
  • Plan for time off work and daily responsibilities
  • Follow any provided nutrition and hydration guidelines

Dr. Min and her team will give you detailed instructions for how to properly prepare for your treatment based on the treatments you elect to undergo.

Procedure

The details of your procedure depend on the type of body contouring treatment(s) you undergo. Some treatments will require general anesthesia to ensure you are comfortable throughout the process, but others can be comfortably performed under local anesthesia with or without sedation. Dr. Min will place incisions in discreet locations, keeping scars minimized and hidden within natural folds. Dr. Min uses advanced surgical techniques to ensure results that look natural and balanced. Surgery may take one to several hours, depending on the chosen procedures.

Recovery

Following body contouring procedures, patients may experience swelling, bruising, or mild discomfort. Dr. Min and her staff will provide each patient with detailed aftercare instructions, including how to care for incisions, manage discomfort, and promote healing. Dr. Min may recommend wearing compression garments to support your results and reduce swelling. Most patients return to light activities within one to two weeks, though recovery times vary based on the procedures. Follow-up visits with Dr. Min will allow her to monitor your progress and ensure optimal healing.

Results

For most body contouring procedures, as healing progresses, patients notice more defined contours, smoother skin, and improved body proportions. Results can often be long-lasting, especially when patients maintain a stable weight and commitment to a healthy lifestyle. Beyond physical improvements, many patients experience greater comfort in clothing and activities, along with increased self-confidence. Dr. Min’s expertise creates results that feel both transformative and natural.

Cost of Body Contouring in Pasadena and Los Angeles

The cost of body contouring varies depending on the specific procedures, their complexity, and whether or not you combine multiple procedures. Dr. Min and her team will provide a detailed cost estimate during your personal consultation.

Schedule your consultation today to explore your body contouring possibilities. If you have any questions or prefer to schedule over the phone, please call/text (626) 214-5727, or email [email protected].

FAQ

How do I know which body contouring procedure is right for me?

This depends on your unique situation. Dr. Min will guide you through your options during your consultation and recommend the most effective treatments for your goals.

Will I have any visible scars after body contouring?

While scars may be present after excisional surgery, Dr. Min uses expert closure techniques and places incisions discreetly, so that scars typically fade significantly over time.

How long is the recovery process after body contouring?

Recovery timelines may vary depending on the procedures. Many patients resume most activities in about two weeks, depending on the extent of the procedure. Patients should continue to refrain from more strenuous exercise until Dr. Min approves.

Are body contouring results permanent?

Results for many body contouring procedures are designed to be long-lasting, especially when patients support them with a healthy lifestyle and stable weight. Dr. Min specializes in techniques that support graceful aging and long-term stability.

Can body contouring replace weight loss?

No, these procedures are not weight-loss treatments. They refine shape and remove excess skin or fat after weight changes.

References

  1. Nagrath N, Winters R. Brachioplasty. PubMed. Published 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK585115/
  2. Chacur R. Gluteal Augmentation: A Historical Perspective on Aesthetic Practice. Aesthetic Surgery Journal Open Forum. Published online December 12, 2024. doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/asjof/ojae124
  3. Bartow MJ, Raggio BS. Liposuction. PubMed. Published 2022. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK563135/
  4. Di Pietro V, Colicchia Gianfranco M, Cervelli V, Gentile P. Medial Thigh Contouring in Massive Weight Loss: A Liposuction-Assisted Medial Thigh Lift. WORLD JOURNAL OF PLASTIC SURGERY. 2019;8(2):171-180. doi:https://doi.org/10.29252/wjps.8.2.171
  5. Regan JP, Casaubon JT. Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck). PubMed. Published 2020. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK431058/