In performing body contouring procedures, it is my goal to shape and contour the patient's body.  I believe it is important to relay to patients that neither liposuction nor a tummy tuck is a weight loss procedure, and that my goal is only to contour. With liposuction, I am able to achieve good contour for several reasons, one being that I use both the internal and external ultrasound-assisted liposuction machines. The advantage is that the fat is actually melted prior to being suctioned, and therefore larger quantities of fat can be removed without leaving the patient with irregularities.  In addition, I use very small cannulas to suction the fat so there is less risk of the patients being uneven or having skin irregularities.  My intention is not to suction as much fat as possible, which only leaves the patient looking unnatural.  I incorporate liposuction into my tummy tucks as well.  Again, I feel it is important to give the patient good contour, and by tightening the stomach muscles, I am able to give the patients a good, natural waistline.  It is important to maintain the feminine contours, the natural contour of a female's body.