Close
Written By: Jeffrey Atlas, PA-C, Health Content Writer
Medically Reviewed By: Dr. Gopal Grandhige, MD, FACS, Board-Certified Surgeon
Last Reviewed: June 5, 2024
Body contouring combines surgical and non-surgical methods to reshape the body by targeting three distinct types of fat: visceral fat (stored around internal organs), deep subcutaneous fat (between skin and muscle), and superficial fat (just beneath the skin’s surface). According to board-certified surgeon Dr. Gopal Grandhige, achieving optimal body contouring results requires a comprehensive multimodal approach that addresses each fat layer through GLP-1 medications, nutrition coaching, fitness training, and surgical procedures, rather than relying on liposuction alone.
The most effective body contouring strategy treats fat removal as part of overall health improvement. Patients who combine lifestyle modifications with surgical interventions achieve more natural, sustainable results compared to those pursuing surgery-only approaches. Understanding which type of fat contributes to your body shape, whether it’s visceral fat causing abdominal protrusion, deep fat creating pinchable areas, or superficial fat affecting contours, is essential for selecting the right treatment plan and setting realistic expectations for body transformation outcomes.
Visceral fat: stored deep within the abdominal cavity, surrounding vital organs such as the liver, pancreas, and intestines.
– Example: Imagine a person who has a protruding belly, but most of the fat is hidden internally around their organs. That hidden fat is visceral fat.
Deep fat: adipose tissue beneath the skin (subcutaneous fat) but not as deep as visceral fat. It lies between the skin and the muscles.
– When you pinch the skin on your thighs or arms, the layer of fat you feel is deep fat.
Superficial fat: the outermost layer of subcutaneous fat lying just beneath the skin. It contributes to body shape and contours.
– The fat that gives a soft curve to your cheeks or adds plumpness to your lips is superficial.
“In order to contour a body, you must understand all parts of the body, inside and out, from the internal organs, the musculature, and the fat to the skin,” Grandhige explains. “As a board-certified general surgeon and bariatric surgeon who’s very familiar with both the inside and the outside, I’m equipped to be a true body contouring specialist in every sense of the word.”
There’s never been a better time to get serious about your health and lifestyle. Please schedule a consultation with our team at Formation to discuss the best way to reveal the real you.
Achieving optimal body contouring results extends far beyond the operating room, it requires understanding the three distinct fat layers (visceral, deep subcutaneous, and superficial) and how each contributes to your body’s shape and overall health. Dr. Gopal Grandhige’s comprehensive multimodal approach demonstrates that sustainable body transformation happens when surgical precision meets lifestyle modification through GLP-1 medications, nutrition coaching, fitness training, and mindset work. Surgery alone cannot address visceral fat stored around internal organs or prevent remaining fat cells from enlarging, which is why the most successful patients embrace body contouring as one component of a holistic health journey rather than a standalone quick fix.
The key to avoiding the common pitfall of temporary results lies in selecting a body contouring specialist who understands anatomy from the inside out, someone who can assess not just pinchable fat but also the deeper layers that contribute to your body’s contours and who partners with you to address underlying causes of excess fat. When you commit to the multimodal approach of losing weight through nutrition, building muscle through targeted fitness, and enhancing definition through surgical sculpting, you create durable outcomes that reflect genuine health transformation. Body contouring isn’t about shortcuts or mimicking someone else’s before-and-after photos; it’s about empowering yourself with the tools, knowledge, and comprehensive support system needed to reveal and maintain the best version of yourself for years to come.
The three types are visceral fat (stored around internal organs causing abdominal protrusion), deep subcutaneous fat (pinchable fat between skin and muscle), and superficial fat (just beneath skin affecting body contours). Understanding which type contributes to your body shape is essential for selecting the right treatment approach and setting realistic expectations.
Liposuction only addresses subcutaneous fat layers but cannot remove visceral fat behind muscles or prevent remaining fat cells from enlarging without lifestyle changes. A comprehensive approach combining surgery with nutrition, fitness, and medication produces more natural, sustainable results than surgery-only methods.
A multimodal approach combines GLP-1 medications, nutrition coaching, fitness training, mindset work, and surgical procedures to address all fat layers and underlying causes of excess fat. This comprehensive strategy treats body contouring as part of overall health improvement rather than an isolated cosmetic fix.
Look for a board-certified surgeon with expertise in both general and bariatric surgery who understands internal organs, musculature, fat layers, and skin, not just cosmetic techniques. The best specialists take a comprehensive approach, acting as partners who address your fitness, nutrition, and surgical needs together.
GLP-1 medications help patients lose weight before surgery and maintain results afterward by addressing hormonal and metabolic factors that contribute to fat storage. When combined with nutrition, fitness, and surgical sculpting, these medications support the multimodal approach needed for sustainable body transformation.
Ready to sculpt your dream profile?
This July, we are dropping a major exclusive on our signature Jawline Contouring treatment.
Get the ultimate sharp jawline for $4,000 (Includes 7 syringes of premium filler to perfectly structure and define your lower face).
Spots are limited for this July promo, so don’t wait to lock in your summer glow-up.
📲 DM us “CHISELED” or click the link in our bio to book your consultation!
#facialbalancing #facialharmony #filler #tampa
NOW is the time to start planning for next years summer body!
Schedule your consultation today to determine the next steps in your unique journey: https://formation.janeapp.com
#bodycontouring #Tampa #hdlipo
Face, neck, and chest—because your glow shouldn’t stop at your jawline. 😉👇
We are obsessed with the Picofy Laser for total skin rejuvenation.
Why we love Picofy:
✨ Full Coverage: Treats the delicate skin on your neck and chest just as effectively as your face.
✨ The Benefits: Boosts collagen production, shatters unwanted pigment, minimizes pores, and smooths skin texture.
✨ Minimal Downtime: Get that radiant glow without the lengthy recovery.
✨ Safe for ALL Skin Tones: Unlike older laser technologies, Picofy’s ultra-fast pulses deliver incredible results safely and effectively across the entire Fitzpatrick scale.
Ready to level up your skin game? 🤍 Click the link in our bio to book your consultation!
#Picofy #PicofyLaser #SkinRejuvenation #LaserSkinToning #AllSkinTypes
ONLY 5 DAYS LEFT!
Send us a DM or call (813) 922-2920 to take advantage of this limited time offer!
We previously posted this beautiful patient’s immediate before and after following her PDO Lifting Thread treatment.
Take a look at her fantastic results now that the 10 threads we placed are settled.
Send us a DM or click the link in our bio to schedule a consultation to discuss what treatments are the right fit for you!
#Tampa #Beauty #LiftingThreads #beforeandafter
Facial Harmonization Step 2
It takes more than one treatment and often more than one treatment session to accomplish facial harmony and balance.
Here’s a look at step 2 in the journey for our surgical coordinator Hanna.
She wanted to address asymmetry and fullness in the lower face. To accomplish this we’ve started with Botox in the masseter to slim the jaw, and create a more feminine, heart shaped face. Now for step 2 we’re placing PDO lifting threads to enhance definition around the jawline without adding volume.
Stay tuned for step 3 and click the link in our bio to set up a consultation to determine your next steps to achieve your aesthetic goals.
#facialbalancing #facialharmony #liftingthreads #beauty #tampa
Let’s talk filler placements! 👀
From standard touch-ups to total profile balancing, dermal filler is incredibly versatile. Check out the reel to see all the areas we can treat to enhance your natural beauty.
The secret to great filler? A customized plan. 🎨
👇 Take the next step:
DM us “CONSULT” or click the link in our bio to book your one-on-one consultation today. Let’s see what filler can do for you!
The power of a profile transformation. 🔥
For this patient, we combined PDO Lifting Threads and advanced chin/jawline filler to completely redefine his lower face. By strategically lifting the mid-to-lower face and sculpting the jaw, we didn’t just enhance one feature—we elevated his entire facial appearance.
An incredible, natural-looking result that brings balance and confidence from every angle.
Note: Minor bunching or puckering is completely normal immediately following a PDO thread lift. The slight bunching visible in the after photo will fully subside on its own over the next 2-4 weeks as the threads settle.
#JawlineContouring #PDOThreads #FacialSculpting #JawlineFiller #mensaesthetics
Last week, we partnered with @epicutis for an exclusive evening of luxury, connection, and next-level skin. From complimentary skin analysis scans to good company and great vibes — this is what elevated beauty looks like. Thank you to everyone who joined us. 🥂
#Epicutis #Tampa
#LuxurySkicare #Emage #skingoals
Check out this incredible before and after of our gorgeous patient 6 months following her Female HD Liposculpture! ⏳
While these results are already stunning, here is a little insider secret: she’s not even at her final result yet! Healing from high-definition liposculpture is a journey. Over the next few months, residual swelling will continue to subside, and any temporary skin texture changes or minor discoloration will fully resolve. As the tissues settle, her skin will keep tightening to reveal even more crisp, beautifully defined athletic contours.
We love seeing our patients blossom through their recovery. Patience pays off, and her body will only continue to lean out and lock in over the coming months!
What do you think of her 6-month transformation? Drop a 👇 in the comments!
#BodyContouring #HDLipo #SkinTightening #PostOpHealing
