This article explores a comprehensive approach to sculpting your body from the inside and outside. We will cover everything from understanding body fat to setting realistic goals.
Body contouring is the process of sculpting the body for a more desirable appearance. Various methods can be used, including surgery, nutrition coaching, fitness training, and medication. While many people seek body contouring to improve their physical appearance, it is essential to understand that a comprehensive approach is required to achieve optimal results.
Dr. Gopal Grandhige, Formation founder and body contouring specialist, emphasizes the importance of understanding the underlying causes of excess fat before embarking on any treatment plan.
“To get the desired results, your surgeon should treat you with your health in mind,” he explains. “True beauty comes from the inside and out. We have to combine the health aspect to it, mental and physical health, for that true beauty effect to exist.”
Below are the main ideas you should consider to ensure success on your journey to revealing you.
Fats are essential nutrients found in food that the body utilizes to construct cell membranes, nerve tissue in the brain and body, and hormones. The body relies on fat as a source of energy. When fats consumed are not used for energy or as building materials, they are stored in the body’s fat cells.
One key aspect of a comprehensive approach to body contouring is understanding the three layers of fat and their impact on body shape. Visceral, deep, and superficial fat contribute to the body’s overall appearance, and surgery alone is not enough to address these layers.
“If I just address it with liposuction, you will often end up with like a fake appearance because a lot of guys hold fat behind their muscle, and it’s not pinchable fat, so therefore, you’re not getting that great body contour,” Dr. Grandhige explains. These are the three primary forms in which fat is classified:
To achieve optimal results in overweight or obese patients, a multimodal approach to body contouring is necessary. This involves combining GLP-1 medications, nutrition and fitness coaching, and surgery.
“Whenever we treat the person fully, we do mindset, nutrition, fitness coaching, and the surgery. That’s the only way you’re going to get the kind of results you really want,” says Dr. Grandhige.
The benefits of combining these modalities are numerous. By addressing the underlying causes of excess fat, patients can achieve a more natural and sustainable result.
“We consistently have amazing results. But it’s because we’re not just simply saying, ‘We’re gonna suck the fat out, and you’re gonna look perfect,'” says Dr. Grandhige. “We’re telling the patient, ‘You need to do this over here, which is lose 20 pounds, you need to do this over there, which is build up this muscle group, maybe build up your core, and then tie that to healthy nutrition and tie that to our procedures.'”
One of the most common misconceptions about body contouring is that it’s as simple as looking at before-and-after photos, choosing what you want, swiping your card, and suddenly, you look like that photo.
Dr. Grandhige’s approach involves understanding body contouring from all angles. But, many stories circulate online about people who spend significant amounts on surgery or programs, only to regain the weight later.
He acknowledges this, “The doctor made off with some money, and three years later, you don’t look any different.” Achieving optimal results requires understanding the entire process, managing expectations, and “bridging the gap between what the patient wants and why they want it,” and committing to long-term lifestyle changes.
Dr. Grandhige’s understanding of anatomy and physiology in the context of body contouring leads to much more durable outcomes. It’s about empowering patients with tools, knowledge, and a comprehensive approach.
“I’m not in the business of shortcuts. I’m giving people tools. And when we use tools, I think tools get you from point A to point B and your goal much quicker,” he says.
Choosing the right body contouring specialist is also crucial to achieving optimal results. The biggest thing you need to look for is finding a specialist who takes a comprehensive approach.
“In order to contour a body, you must understand all parts of the body—inside and out—from the internal organs, the musculature, and the fat to the skin,” Grandhige explains. “As a board-certified general surgeon and bariatric surgeon who’s very familiar with both the inside and the outside, I’m equipped to be a true body contouring specialist in every sense of the word.”
When choosing a specialist, he recommends asking questions and researching to ensure the specialist takes a comprehensive approach.
“My suggestions range from a very clear, ‘I need you to lose weight and get your fitness up’ to ‘We are partners in this together, to get you to where you want to be,’” he says. “I tell patients I can get them results, but at the end of the day, we all have to do our parts in this.”
In conclusion, body contouring is not just about liposuction and butt lifts. There are many ways to skin a cat. A comprehensive approach that addresses the underlying causes of excess fat through counseling, nutrition coaching, fitness training, medication, and surgery is necessary to achieve optimal results and long-lasting happiness.
Patients can achieve a more natural and sustainable result by choosing the right specialist and taking the time to understand the process.
