What is Body Contouring?
Body contouring refers to a number of cosmetic procedures, both surgical and non-surgical, used to reshape parts of the body, remove fat and tighten skin. Body contouring can target various parts of the body including: arms, back, abdomen, love handles, buttocks, neck, and chin and thighs. Procedures can be combined or done separately.
What types of procedures are involved in body contouring?
Body contouring can involve both surgical and non-surgical procedures. Two popular fat reduction procedures includes liposuction and lipolysis. Liposuction is a procedure in which a thin tube is inserted into the area under the skin, but above the muscle and the fat is removed through suction. Lipolysis is a non-surgical procedures that uses either heat, cold or lasers to destroy fat cells. Other surgical procedures can include a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), arm lift (brachioplasty), breast lift and a thigh lift. These surgical procedures may also be combined with liposuction.
How do I know if I am a good candidate for body contouring?
Good candidates for body contouring are patients who are at their desired weight and can maintain it and some of these patients may also have excess sagging skin and fat as well as muscle laxity in some cases. Patients should be in general good health, non-smokers and have a stable weight.
What about recovery time?
Recovery time for body contouring surgery varies based on the type of procedure, but can take two to six weeks. The exception to this would be non-surgical Lipolysis option. Surgeons recommend grouping body contouring procedures if possible, in order to limit recovery down time and also reduce stress on your body from repeated anesthesia. Obviously a non-surgical procedure such as Lipolysis will have no recovery time, but generally cannot produce the type of results that a surgical procedure like liposuction or tummy tuck can. Following surgery, be sure to follow all directions from your surgeon and attend all follow up appointments. In general you should avoid strenuous activity and take all medications prescribed by your surgeon.
We’re always happy to help educate and reassure our patients. For more information on this topic and any other plastic surgery procedures we perform. To schedule a consultation appointment today, please contact Atlanta Plastic Surgery at one of our Atlanta, Lawrenceville, Northside/Sandy Springs, and Cumming/Forsyth area locations. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook for additional plastic surgery tips, news, photos, and much more.
