Have you ever wanted to explore how to reduce loose skin after a bariatric procedure or enhance your body shape to let the real you shine through with a body contouring procedure? You probably have many questions, though – what are your options? How long does body contouring last? What’s right for me?
Let’s dive into some information about body contouring so you can understand the treatments available.
Typically the entire process for surgical and non-surgical body contouring treatments is six to twelve months. Thus, most patients have their ideal body in under a year, even if several body sculpting procedures are necessary.
If you choose a non-invasive fat reduction procedure, you’ll start seeing results in six to eight weeks. It typically takes up to 12 weeks to enjoy the full results of the procedure. These procedures will require multiple treatments; you will need to space them out by about eight to 12 weeks, prolonging the time it takes to see results.
Those who choose a more invasive and effective procedure, such as liposuction or abdominoplasty, will see immediate differences in their bodies. However, with these procedures, you will experience swelling for the first several weeks. The full results will show in three to six months after the swelling subsides and the treatment area heals.
Body contouring is a long-lasting procedure with results that can last up to ten years or more. Maintaining a steady weight, following a healthy lifestyle, and creating a regular exercise routine are critical for ensuring your treatments last.
Still interested? Here are some body contouring options to achieve that look you’ve always wanted.
Non-surgical body sculpting treatments reduce or remove fat deposits without surgery in various problem areas. These are offered at many MedSpas by aestheticians or physician extenders. Skin laxity or underlying muscle weakness cannot be addressed by these procedures. These treatments don’t require anesthesia, incisions, or stitches and have minimal side effects. However, if you choose a non-surgical treatment, you may need several treatment sessions to get results, which can often cost the same as body contouring or more invasive procedures.
Some standard non-surgical procedures include:
With non-surgical body contouring the targeted fat cells won’t grow back, meaning the results can be lifelong! However, the remaining cells can expand, which is why ideal candidates for these procedures already adhere to a healthy lifestyle.
Patients who only want to undergo one treatment may choose a surgical procedure, which a surgeon will perform. The most common types of minimally-invasive body sculpting cosmetic procedures include:
These procedures aim to melt or suck away body fat but may also include lifts and other skin-tightening and skin-removal treatments.
The results from surgical body contouring are more dramatic and durable than the non-surgical options mentioned above.
The surgeons at Formation are among a select group trained in an advanced surgical technique called PAL™. It allows for extremely precise removal of fat. Think of it like Michaelangelo crafting his famous statue of David! It brings an element of sculpture to body contouring with unparalleled results.
Because it allows Formation’s surgeons gentle movement throughout the procedure with highly specialized equipment, they have improved control with less force. This means a lot less trauma to your body and less bruising as well.
If you’re a good candidate for any of the available fat reduction treatments, you want to ensure you maintain your results after recovery. Here are the top five tips to follow for optimal results.
If you forget about eating healthy after your cosmetic surgery or treatment, you could easily experience significant weight gain. Unfortunately, these procedures will not fix an unhealthy diet, so monitor your food intake to avoid gaining back unwanted body fat.
Also, ensure you drink plenty of water. Water helps you stay energized and be physically active. Hydration is also the best way to avoid overeating.
Exercise is another vital component of maintaining your sculpting results. It is best to combine resistance training with short High-Intensity Training (HIT) sessions.
If you don’t like running or lifting weights, there are many other activities you can try, such as:
The nice thing about living in the Tampa area is that we enjoy an outdoor, active lifestyle. At Formation, we have fitness coaches that we can recommend if you are interested in taking your health to the next level. There are also gym memberships that offer community classes, so if you’re the type that gets bored, having a social outlet with different class types may be the best solution for you.
Find an activity you love, and it will never feel like work or exercise! The added bonus is that the endorphins will boost your mood, and you’ll feel better about yourself because you’re taking action toward your health.
Sleep and weight control go hand-in-hand. You’re more likely to indulge in unhealthy foods and skip exercise when overtired. Plus, your body requires proper sleep to:
If you’re trying to skip the chips and dip, your willpower is much higher after a good night’s rest.
Stress causes your cortisol levels to rise. Elevated cortisol levels create a surge of energy in your body. While this is great for survival instincts, it increases your appetite and cravings for fatty, salty, and sweet foods. High cortisol levels can also slow down how many calories your body burns and cause you to deposit fat.
The more you can reduce stress, the better equipped you are to manage your weight and maintain your sculpting results. For this reason, our wellness coaches are part of our high-definition liposuction packages, which optimizes our outcomes. Again, exercise is great for this! So are meditation, yoga, connecting with nature, affirmations, and walks on the beach.
It may surprise you that body contouring results can last for ten years and beyond as long as you maintain a healthy lifestyle. It’s that simple! Our bodies do not make new fat cells. Once they are removed, they are gone forever.
