hey, here are tools that help u the most (me at least) when modeling humans with NURBS.
1) rebuilt surface ; rebuilt first 0 -1 and check "keepCV" so u do not lose shape, then rebuilt 0-numSpans; check off keep CV
2)attach surfaces;
3)detatch surfaces (at same ISO where they were attached
4)in the stitch setting always stich to the surface u do not want to move, by that i mean, set the options to tangent edge 1 to 1 edge 2 to 0, this way everything is stitched to the first edged
5)DO not use the align surface tool...
6)before u start patching it is best to create a good network of patches that gives maximum details and least geometry...

i wish i was better @ explaining things.. sory if this is a bit confusing.
but feel free to pm or email me any Qs or IRC #cgtalk; my screen name is vladimir