Shaping the Silhouette: A Comprehensive Review of Surgical Body Contouring Techniques for the Torso and Limbs

This narrative review examines contemporary surgical body contouring techniques, including abdominoplasty, brachioplasty, liposuction, and fat grafting, as well as breast and gluteal augmentation, thighplasty, calf augmentation, and genital contouring, with a focus on clinical applications, technological advancements, complication profiles, and patient-centered outcomes. Abdominoplasty, including mini, lipoabdominoplasty, and fleur-de-lis variants, consistently restores the abdominal contour and can alleviate functional sequelae, with complication rates lowered by the use of progressive tension sutures and preservation of Scarpa fascia. Brachioplasty and thighplasty in post-bariatric patients improve limb contour and mobility; liposuction-assisted approaches reduce tissue trauma. Energy-assisted devices and circumferential 360° liposuction enhance precision and balance. Autologous fat grafting, ranging from macro- to nano-fat, yields high satisfaction and regenerative benefits; however, fat resorption and rare embolic events warrant a careful technique. Breast augmentation, reduction, and mastopexy achieve high patient satisfaction and improved symmetry; combining augmentation with mastopexy addresses ptosis. Calf and genital contouring refine regional aesthetics with the evolution of implant and fat-grafting methods. Overall satisfaction is high across procedures; complication profiles vary by modality and are mitigated by surgeon expertise and patient selection. Modern body contouring techniques deliver transformative aesthetic, functional, and psychosocial benefits. Continued refinement of technology and techniques, rigorous patient selection including psychological readiness, and long-term outcome studies are essential to further optimize safety and patient-centered care.