Body Contouring

What exactly is body contouring?

Body sculpting, or body contouring, is a surgical or medical procedure to reshape a specific body area. For example, it could include procedures to: remove excess skin.

Get rid of any excess fat.

Contour or reshape the area.

Typically, body contouring doesn't aid in weight loss. Instead, it shapes the body and addresses areas where weight loss is ineffective or significant weight loss has resulted in extra skin.

What are the various kinds of body contouring?

Lipolysis is a term used to describe nonsurgical body contouring. There are several lipolysis procedures:

Cryolipolysis (such as CoolSculpting®) employs shallow temperatures to kill fat cells.

Deoxycholic acid is administered intravenously during injection lipolysis to target fatty cells.

Laser lipolysis destroys adipose cells using lasers (such as Zerona).

Radiofrequency lipolysis targets fat cells using ultrasound waves and heat (truSculpt). As a result, the outcomes can occasionally change.

The following are some surgical body shaping options:

Tucks and lifts are surgical procedures that remove excess fat and skin. Tummy tucks (abdominoplasty), facelifts (rhytidectomy), breast lifts (mastopexy), and double chin surgery are some examples.

Liposuction: The removal of fat accumulation by suction.

How does body shaping work?

People undergo body sculpting to appear and feel slimmer or achieve a specific shape. It is frequently applied to particular body parts when diet and exercise are ineffective.

Additional skin can be removed surgically to make the skin look younger and smoother. After substantial weight loss, people with extra skin can benefit from such procedures. Additionally, it can lessen wrinkles, loose skin, and other signs of deteriorating skin.

Most body parts can be targeted by body shaping. Typical locations include:

Arms.

Back.

Stomach and sides (love handles).

Buttocks.

Chin and neck.

Thighs.

What takes place before body contouring?

You will first consult with a cosmetic surgeon. After that, your objectives will be covered.

Your medical background, including illnesses, allergies, and prior operations.

Any medicines you are taking, including over-the-counter medicines and supplements.

Use of illicit substances, alcohol, or tobacco.

The medical expert will also: Measure and examine the area or areas you want to alter.

Use a marker or pen to note the area(s).

Collect photos.

Talk about your choices and offer suggestions.

If you're considering surgery, go over the choices and risks, as well as anesthesia and post-operative pain management.

You will have to submit a consent form if you choose to proceed. You authorize the healthcare professional to carry out the treatment by signing it. You also concur that you have reasonable hopes and know the procedure's risks.

The healthcare staff may ask you to: Get blood work or have a physical exam with your primary care provider, depending on the type of body sculpting you select.

Give up smoking.

Stop using some medicines (for example, aspirin, NSAIDs, and herbal supplements).

What takes place during surgical body-shaping procedures like liposuction?

Most cosmetic procedures are performed in a hospital, surgical facility, or doctor's clinic. Depending on your work, the process could take 45 minutes to several hours.

When performing surgery, the team may:

Circle the areas before surgery.

Put you on a surgical table and have nursing and anesthesia verify your safety.

Depending on the treatment, administer either local or general anesthesia.

The surgical area's epidermis should be cleaned and prepared.

Make cuts or incisions in your skin depending on the procedure(s) you have done.

Trim, reposition, or shape tissue and extra fat to achieve the desired appearance.

It is typical for muscles to tighten during an abdominoplasty.

Trim any extra flesh.

Use liposuction alone or in conjunction with other treatments to remove extra fat.

When the process is finished, stitch up any incisions.

Apply sutures.

What takes place following body contouring?

Despite undergoing surgery, the majority of individuals return home the same day. Therefore, someone should take you back home after the operation and spend the first night after the surgery with you. Additionally, a small tube could be placed close to the incisions to drain fluid and reduce edema.

Your surgical team will offer you recovery instructions. Taking care of the drains and replacing the bandages are two examples.

Keeping an eye out for excessive exercise while ambulating to prevent blood clots

They are reporting any problems so they can be addressed in advance.

Avoiding the sunlight.

Using pharmaceuticals (such as pills or ointments) to manage discomfort or stop infection

You will exit the office or clinic right away following nonsurgical body sculpting. Typically, you won't need transport home, so that you can continue your day as usual.

What benefits does body contouring offer?

Many individuals who have had body contouring say that their body parts are better defined and shaped.

Thinner and younger look.

More supple epidermis.

Relief in symptoms.

Surgery has more visible and immediate results. However, nonsurgical alternatives might take a few weeks or months to make a difference.

What are the risks or side effects of this surgery?

Any treatment, including lifts and tucks, is surgery and, as such, carries some risks, albeit rarely. Risks can include:

Asymmetry (neither side appears the same).

Blood clumps or bleeding.

Anesthesia-related complications like nausea, vomiting, or difficulty getting up.

Damage to muscles, organs, blood arteries, nerves, or blood.