The Skinny
Body contouring sounds like an often repeated phrase in an advanced painting class. That might be the case, but it is also a common practice among plastic surgeons looking to assist candidates in removing excess fat (check out our full guide to Excess Body Fat Concerns). Body contouring procedures can be performed via liposuction or through non-invasive techniques. We should note that body contouring is not bariatric surgery. A good candidate for these procedures has already made considerable and effective efforts to reach a healthy body weight and body fat and now just needs a little extra help with some of the more stubborn areas.
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Body Contouring Solutions
The Specifics
Who may consider body contouring procedures?
Fat tissue is important and it’s everywhere. At a healthy body weight and body fat level most individuals will still show areas of fat accumulation. The tight, toned look of elite athletes is highly specific and requires intense commitment to maintain.
There are two types of fat tissue. Visceral fat surrounds our organs, and high levels are strongly correlated to health risks like heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Subcutaneous fat is the stuff we see, and the stuff that a cosmetic surgeon can help you with.
The Anatomy of Belly Fat
What can you expect from a body contouring procedure?
When it comes to cosmetic procedures for assisted body contouring, the target is the soft tissues. A DIY body contour through diet and exercise would target muscle as well as fat. These procedures usually target fat tissue for removal, and some can simultaneously enhance skin tone as well.
Body contouring via liposuctionor non-surgical techniques will provide significant results that will be subject to weight changes, use, and aging. Recovery will be dependent upon the procedure, however, most of these techniques are not especially invasive.
When should you consider a body contouring procedure?
The ideal time to pursue a body contouring procedure is mostly dependent on your expectations. Any body contouring procedure is going to be subject to aging and changes in weight. Therefore, it makes the most sense to consider treatment when you are at a stable and sustainable body weight and body fat level.
Why should you consider a body contouring procedure?
Body contouring procedures are not weight loss procedures. A body contouring via liposuction or a non-surgical technique is designed to help with those last stubborn areas of fat. In older individuals at a healthy body weight and body fat level, a body contouring procedure can assist with the frustrating changes in the body’s natural fat deposits as we age.
Liposuction for Body Contouring
Liposuction is a tried-and-true classic for permanently removing fat. There are, however, an array of modern techniques to get the job done:
Non-Surgical Fat Reduction for Body Contouring
For people who wish to avoid curgery, there are less invasive fat removal treatment options.
The Takeaway
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) reports that 258,000 liposuction procedures were performed in 2018, making it one of the top five cosmetic procedures of the year. Body contouring procedures can help to refine, define, and enhance almost any area of the body with the added benefit of minimal down time. Don’t let those last few remaining stubborn fat cells get in the way of your ideal aesthetic.
