Body Contouring Surgery Vs Liposuction: What’s the Difference?
Sun 20th Jul 2025
If you have areas of your body that concern you and are interested in surgery, you may be wondering what type of cosmetic or plastic surgery procedure is best for you. Granted, it can be pretty confusing when you’re searching the net, especially when procedure names sound so similar. That’s why in this article, we discuss Body Contouring Surgery (BCS) and Liposuction – two procedures that can ‘contour’ the body, but are very different surgeries performed for very different reasons.
Essentially, BCS covers a range of surgical procedures for individuals who have already lost a large amount of weight. It tailors your skin to fit your body, involves cutting skin and tissue and leaving scars.
Liposuction is a cosmetic surgery procedure for individuals who do not have excess skin but still have stubborn pockets of superficial fat that have not responded to a strict diet and exercise regimen. No cutting is involved, other than tiny nicks in the skin to allow a cannula to suck the superficial fat away.
Let’s take a closer look at both procedures.
Body Contouring Surgery
Body Contouring Surgery encompasses a range of surgical reconstructive procedures tailored to you, the individual, to address various concerns you may have after losing a significant amount of weight. These procedures are performed in a private hospital under general anaesthesia.
After someone has lost a significant amount of weight, they are usually left with excess skin hanging off their body, like old, oversized clothes hanging off their now much smaller body. Unfortunately, this skin has lost its elasticity, and no amount of exercise or skin treatments can make it ‘shrinkwrap’ tightly around your new frame.
Common areas for the skin to sag after weight loss include the arms, breasts and chest area, thighs, stomach, back and buttocks. Of course, these areas cannot usually be operated on at the same time. But depending on your health, commitments and finances, some procedures may be combined. Typically, though, Dr Dona will create an individualised surgical plan for you where procedures are spaced out over time. A minimum of three months is required between each surgery.
This excess skin can often cause significant functional and aesthetic concerns. It can cause chafing, pain, skin infections and make it difficult to wear certain clothes. Excess skin can even make it difficult to move around or exercise, compromising both your mental and physical health.
BCS can remedy these problems by performing the required reconstructive surgical procedures. Depending on the procedure, the surgeon creates various incisions on the body to remove the excess skin folds and tissues. The greater the amount of tissue to be removed, the greater the number of incisions. Afterwards, Dr Dona sews up these incisions, often using dressmaking as an analogy. A dressmaker would remove material and run a seam, while a surgeon would remove skin by creating, then sewing up incisions (the seams).
It’s important to note, though, that some types of BCS, such as Abdominoplasty, may also address muscular problems, such as repairing muscle separation (diastasis recti) or abdominal hernias.
As we’ve mentioned, BCS encompasses a range of different reconstructive surgeries. Over the years, Dr Dona has continued to refine, define, and develop his techniques to address the varied and often complex needs of his patients. In doing so, he has defined ‘The Seven ‘B’s of Body Contouring Surgery’:
- Brachioplasty (Arm Reduction)
- Breast Surgery (especially Breast Lifts and Reductions)
- Bra Lipectomy (addressing excess tissue around the upper middle back and bra strap area)
- Belly Surgery (Abdominoplasty, aka Tummy Tuck)
- Belt Lipectomy (addressing excess tissue in the middle area)
- Buttock Lift (lifting and tightening the buttocks)
- Below-the-waistline surgery (Thigh Surgery)
You can read more about The Seven ‘B’s of Body Contouring Surgery here >
Suitable Candidates for Body Contouring Surgery
Suitable candidates for BCS have lost a significant (if not massive) amount of weight. They are left with an abundance of excess skin, skinfolds, and tissue, which can cause functional and health issues. They must have maintained a stable weight for at least 6 months before undergoing surgery. Additionally, they should be in good mental and physical health, understand the risks and complications associated with the procedure and have realistic expectations regarding their surgical outcomes.
Liposuction Surgery
Liposuction is a cosmetic surgery procedure. Also known as liposculpture, the procedure aims to reduce stubborn pockets of fat in one or more areas of the body, thereby improving the body’s form. Liposuction is not a weight loss procedure. And, it does not address skin laxity. Typically, the patient has adhered to a strict diet and exercise regimen but has not been able to move these pesky pockets of fatty tissue.
Common areas of concern where Liposuction is requested include the thighs, buttocks, arms, abdomen, flanks and under the chin.
Liposuction surgery is performed in a private hospital under general anaesthesia. During the Liposuction procedure, a small Liposuction cannula is inserted into the targeted area via a small incision (approximately 5 mm long). This cannula is attached to a suction device operated by the surgeon to break up the fat cells. The dislodged fat is then suctioned out of the body. Towards the end of the procedure, the remaining fat is then treated in a way to help smooth out the area.
The results of Liposuction are long-lasting. However, if a patient puts on a considerable amount of weight, the results may be compromised.
Suitable Candidates for Liposuction Surgery
A suitable candidate for Liposuction surgery is someone who has adhered to a strict diet and exercise program to remove fatty tissue but still has stubborn pockets of superficial fatty tissue. They are currently maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle, have good skin quality and are generally in good health. Additionally, they should be in good mental and physical health, understand the risks and complications associated with the procedure and have realistic expectations regarding their surgical outcomes.
You can read more about Liposuction surgery here >
When Liposuction Is Used in Body Contouring
By now, you should be able to see the significant difference between the two procedures: Body Contouring Surgery and Liposuction. However, Liposuction is sometimes used during Body Contouring Surgery. For example, during a Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty), a patient will have their loose muscles tightened and loose skin and fatty tissue removed. Occasionally, if appropriate, they may also have Liposuction if there are stubborn pockets of fatty tissue that are best removed with a cannula.
However, if a patient has loose abdominal skin or an overstretched abdominal wall, Liposuction alone is not an appropriate treatment. If Liposuction is performed on an area with very loose skin or skin covered in stretch marks, Liposuction will only result in increased laxity (and visibility of stretch marks) in the skin. This principle also applies to other areas of the body. In essence, there is no point in suctioning away fatty tissue from an area of the body with loose, excess skin, as it will only exacerbate the problem.
Book an Initial Consultation with Dr Dona
As everyone’s body is unique, each person will require a customised surgical plan. The only way to determine if you’re suitable for surgery — and identify the best type of surgery for you is to book an Initial Consultation with Dr Dona.
Your consultation is an opportunity for you to discuss any concerns you may have about your body and to ask any questions. Dr Dona will also ask you various questions, including details of your medical history, previous surgeries and current medications. He’ll also physically examine your body to determine whether surgery is right for you—and what types of surgeries may be appropriate.
With both BCS and Liposuction, often, more than one area of the body needs to be addressed. If Dr Dona deems you a suitable candidate for surgery, he must create a carefully considered, individualised surgical plan for you. This plan must be tailored to your personal preferences, be appropriate for your physique and also take into account your health, commitments and finances.
Dr Dona will also clearly communicate all details of your surgeries, the recovery process and explain all potential risks and complications related to each procedure. By the end of your consultation, you should feel extremely informed about your options and feel comfortable going away to think through your decisions.
Facts about Liposuction:
- A cosmetic surgery procedure
- Performed in a private hospital under general anaesthesia
- Removes stubborn pockets of fat (resistant to diet and exercise) to address the form of the body
- It is not a weight loss procedure
- Virtually leaves no scars, other than minor cannula marks
- Suctions away fat using a cannula
- Not suitable for individuals with excess, loose skin
Facts About Body Contouring Surgery:
- Reconstructive plastic surgery encompassing a range of procedures for individuals who have experienced extreme weight loss and have loose, excess skin and tissues
- Performed in a private hospital under general anaesthesia
- Creates incisions on the skin and leaves scars
- Not a weight loss procedure
- Procedures designed to remove excess skin and the associated fatty tissue, with that skin also removed
