Body implants constitute a wonderful, additional technique for cosmetic plastic surgeons to improve the overall contour of the body. Of course, breast implants for women are definitely the most popular body implant but other implants that most people do not know about include pectoral implants for men, buttock implants both for men and women, calf implants for men and women and rarely, arm implants such as triceps implants.

The implants are made from a firm, solid silicone which cannot leak. The implants must be placed deep underneath the muscle to be augmented or improved or underneath the deep structures so they cannot be seen or they may look artificial. Implants are particularly helpful for both men and women with significant chest wall deformities because not infrequently, patients present with asymmetry of their chest wall associated with the prominence of their ribs; (continued below col 1)

they may have a bony and lop-sided chest. Sometimes the implants have to be customised and a model of the deformity is made and sent to a medical manufacturing company and then the latter will provide the implant – designed and specified by the surgeon. Implants can be used with or without liposuction to produce a nice curve. Curves are especially attractive for women in the lower leg. For men, who generally want a muscular leg, usually two implants are placed, one on the inside and one on the outside of the leg.

People with a flat bottom benefit from the gluteal implant which is placed underneath the large gluteus maximus muscle. A very thorough knowledge of the anatomy underneath the muscles is essential in order to have problem-free results.

Other ways of sculpting body shape is with liposculpture. Three types of liposculpture are available:

As men age, fat usually accumulates around their waist, in the love handle area and especially around their chest and upper back. Composite liposuction refers to an overall improvement of men’s torsos and involves shaping around the muscles of the pectoral region, sculpting out the abdominal musculature, defining the “lats” (latissimusdorss) posteriorly and removing the love handles.

Small incisions are made in inconspicuous areas. Sometimes body implants are used at the same time to produce a dramatic improvement in the overall result. Usually up to five or six litres of fat can be removed at one stage if necessary and generally this procedure is performed as an outpatient surgical procedure.