Body contouring, or sculpting, is a medical or surgical procedure used to reshape an area of the body. This may involve procedures that aim to:
- Get rid of extra skin
- Eliminate excess fat
- Reshape, or “contour” a targeted area
Many people are chasing their dreams and goals of having the best body for them. Everyone wants to feel great whether they are strolling the beach, trying on new clothes, or just overall looking at themselves in the mirror at home in their daily lives. Body contouring can help boost confidence in everyday activities.
Body contouring is not used to lose weight; instead, it helps to shape the body and address specific areas where weight loss is not effective or achievable. Significant weight loss can lead to excess loose skin on the body, calling for contouring to help eliminate those areas of loose skin.
Different Types of Body Contouring
There are many options for both nonsurgical, known as lipolysis, and surgical methods of body contouring. Some of the lipolysis methods include but are not limited to:
- Cryolipolysis – A method that uses very cold temperatures to destroy fat cells, such as CoolSculpting
- Injection Lipolysis – Injecting deoxycholic acid into the body to target fat cells
- Laser Lipolysis – Uses lasers to destroy fat cells
- Radiofrequency Lipolysis – Uses ultrasound waves and heat to target fat cells
Some of the surgical options out there include but are not limited to:
- Lifts and Tucks – This is a surgical procedure that removes excess fat and skin, such as a tummy tuck, facelift, breast lift, and double chin removal
- Liposuction – A surgical procedure where fat deposits are sucked out through a machine
Depending on what result you’re looking for, there are many methods of body contouring to choose from. It is important to consider all the risks with each technique, especially if you choose a surgical route. Like any surgery, there are risks due to the nature of the procedure itself with anesthesia.
Comparing Body Contouring Procedure Invasiveness
Non-Invasive Body Contouring
Non-invasive procedures are fat reduction treatments that are non-surgical in nature. These include cryolipolysis, laser lipolysis, and radiofrequency lipolysis methods listed above. Non-invasive treatments are great for people who do not want the downtime associated with the more invasive treatments. The only disadvantage of a non-invasive procedure is the unpredictability of results; multiple treatments may be needed to achieve the results people want.
Minimally Invasive Body Contouring
Minimally invasive procedures involve a surgical procedure where fat cells are manually removed with the assistance of a particular method, such as laser, ultrasound, or water. Most of these procedures are performed using local anesthesia and require less downtime than traditional surgical procedures.
Invasive Body Contouring
Traditional liposuction is the most invasive body contouring option out there. These procedures are typically done in hospitals or surgery centers due to the need for an anesthesiologist to administer general anesthesia. Liposuction is used to treat larger body areas with high volumes of fat, but it can cause a lot of tissue trauma, resulting in significant bruising. For these reasons, this procedure has the longest recovery time with patients having pain, discomfort, and bruising.
Choosing What Body Contouring Procedure is Right for You
Every person is different. Choosing the right technique depends on their current condition, what their goals are, and what kind of restrictions they may have if any.
Patients who are looking to remove large areas of fat may benefit more from liposuction. This procedure is highly invasive, however, it may also boast the most results for most people looking to reduce a high amount of fat.
CoolSculpting is an excellent choice for those who have smaller fat volumes in a certain area to be removed. It is also great for those who do not want a lengthy treatment or recovery time as it is a non-invasive procedure.
Many people struggle with loose skin after a large amount of weight loss. This can be frustrating for anyone who has achieved their weight loss goal but is not happy with their body’s appearance. Tummy tucks are a good example for people who would like to help shape their abdomen area better after losing weight.
The Takeaway
For many people, body confidence is hard to come by. Nowadays body-shaming is unfortunately very present everywhere in the US, whether it’s at the beach, at school, or online, many people struggle with self-confidence. Having control of your situation helps in a great way to achieve higher self-esteem.
With the many techniques to choose from, everyone will have a chance to achieve their appearance goals. A lot of techniques use advanced technology that can also help with the skin, boosting its glow and can even help achieve a younger look.
It is important to discuss the many options of body contouring with your doctor. Some people may have a medical history that affects their ability to choose certain procedures, which your doctor may review with you. One of these restrictions includes an allergy to a medication or drug such as a local anesthetic; with this interference, surgery, such as liposuction may not be an option.
Are you ready to achieve the body you’ve been dreaming of? Research some of these techniques mentioned in this blog that are available in your area. Work closely with your doctor and they can help you choose the right method for you and your goals. There are many ways to achieve what you want without much hassle.
