Body Contouring: Everything You Need to Know

Beauty standards in the US and practically around the world have undergone quite some significant changes over time. Today, more and more people are striving for a more sculpted and defined body, a shift primarily driven by social media. 

The desire to achieve the perfect body shape drives many to diet and exercise. However, not all succeed in getting the perfect body with only exercise and a healthy diet. 

That’s where body contouring steps in to help align your physical appearance with your unique goals. Read on to learn about how such operations function and whether they can be of help to you.

Understanding Body Contouring and Its Techniques

Body contouring, also known as body sculpting, is a type of treatment that involves reshaping parts of the body. It is a good way of fine-tuning areas that neither exercise nor diet can overcome. For example, after losing weight through exercise but not getting quite the tone you are looking for, body sculpting procedures are an excellent way of achieving that.

Body contouring techniques range from non-invasive methods—such as CoolSculpting, which freezes fat cells; injection lipolysis with deoxycholic acid; laser lipolysis; and radiofrequency lipolysis—to more invasive surgical techniques like liposuction or abdominoplasty (tummy tuck).

Preparation For Body Contouring

Before jumping into body contouring, it is essential to understand that it is not a method for losing weight but rather a means to tone and shape your body after you have reached or nearly reached your ideal weight. To get the most out of it, most candidates intensify their physical fitness regimens to shed any remaining stubborn fat.

The preparation will also be dependent on the contouring procedure you have chosen. For instance, if you opt to undergo liposuction, you might have to abandon blood-thinning medications or supplements because they have been proven to increase bleeding in operations.

Non-invasive techniques require minimal preparation, but results can be enhanced by staying hydrated and avoiding certain medications.

Surgical and Non-Surgical Options

Surgical body sculpting procedures, such as liposuction or a tummy tuck, typically take between 45 minutes and several hours to complete. They generally involve preoperational marking of areas to be operated on. The next step is the administration of anesthesia, after which the surgeon makes precise cuts, reforms or removes excess fat and tissue, and possibly tightens certain muscles before closing the incisions and applying bandages.

Methods such as lipolysis—ranging from cryolipolysis to radiofrequency treatments—have minimal invasiveness and typically take 30 to 60 minutes at a clinic. Sessions include using specialized machines to meticulously place treatment through ultrasound waves, laser, or heat on pre-marked target areas. Several sessions will typically need to be completed to see any results.

Recovery After Body Contouring

Recovery after body contouring will vary depending on whether you have undergone a surgical or non-surgical procedure. It will take longer to heal if you have had a surgical procedure, with the initial few weeks being spent at rest with minimal mobility.

For those seeking relief during recovery, emsculpt neo for pain management port orchard can help alleviate discomfort while also enhancing muscle recovery, complementing body contouring results.

The non-invasive treatments require little to no downtime, with most people able to return to their normal routines immediately after. Some patients may experience temporary redness or numbness.

“Regardless of the type of procedure, it is essential to follow your physician's instructions to achieve the best possible recovery results. Watch for adverse outcomes such as unusual pain, excessive swelling, or any unplanned change in the treated area, and notify your physician immediately if you find such signs,” says Texas-based plastics surgeon Matthew H. Steele, MD.

Choosing The Right Specialist for Body Contouring

Anything involving surgical or medical procedures carries significant risks, so you want to be sure that you only get services from a professional. The first thing you will want to pay attention to is their certification. Be sure that they are board-certified and have substantial experience in body contouring.

The best way to be sure what you are getting into is to check out patient reviews and before-and-after photos to see their results. Multiple negative client reviews are a red flag. Being cautious reduces risks and increases your chances of getting what you want safely.