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Body Contouring: What Is It?

What is contouring the body?

Body contouring, also known as contouring, is a surgical or surgical procedure that seeks to alter the shape of an part within the human body. It could involve procedures that include:

Remove any extra skin.
Eliminate excess fat.
Shape or contour the area.

The body contouring process doesn’t typically assist in losing weight. It is a way to create a more sculpted body and addresses certain areas where weight loss isn’t working or after weight loss that causes excess skin.

What are the various types of contouring for the body?

Nonsurgical body contouring is known as lipolysis. There are a variety of lipolysis techniques:

Cryolipolysis makes use of extremely cold temperatures to kill fat cells (for instance, CoolSculpting(r)).
Injection lipolysis involves injecting deoxycholic acids into the body to focus on fat cells.
Laser lipolysis makes use of lasers to eliminate fat cells (for instance, Zerona(r)).
Radiofrequency lipolysis makes use of energy from ultrasound as well as heat in order to kill fat cells (for instance, truSculpt(r)).

Sometimes, the results from body contouring machines differ.

The options for contouring the body surgically include:

Tucks and lifts The surgical procedures are used to remove excess fat and skin. For instance, a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) and facelift (rhytidectomy) or lifting of the breasts (mastopexy) or double the chin surgery.
Liposuction: Liposuction (lipo) suctions out fat deposits.

What is the reason body sculpting is used?

Some people choose body sculpting in order to appear and feel more slimmer, or achieve a particular shape. It’s typically used to improve certain parts of the body, when fitness and diet aren’t making any difference.

The surgical options also allow for the removal of excess skin, making the skin appear younger and more smooth. These procedures are beneficial for those with excess skin after substantial weight reduction. It can also help improve wrinkled, loose or saggy skin that is caused by natural age.

The body contouring process can target all parts of the body. Some common areas include:

Arms.
Back.
Flanks and belly (love handle).
Buttocks.
Neck and the chin.
Thighs.

Procedure Details

What happens after body contouring?

In the beginning, you’ll have a meeting with the plastic surgeon. You’ll discuss:

Your objectives.
Medical history of yours, which includes allergies, medical conditions and any previous procedures.
The medications you’re taking such as vitamins and other over-the-counter medications.
Alcohol, tobacco or illegal substances.

The healthcare professional also:

Measure and examine the area(s) you’d like to alter.
Draw over the area(s) using the help of a marker or pen.
Photographs are taken.
Explore your options and provide suggestions.
Consider the risks and possibilities in addition to discussing the effects of anesthesia as well as postoperative pain management If you’re thinking about surgery.

If you choose to go ahead, you’ll need complete a consent forms. By signing the form you grant the health professional permission to carry out the procedure. You also acknowledge that you are aware of the potential risks associated with the procedure and you have realistic expectations.

Depending on the kind of body sculpting technique you select The healthcare provider may request that you:

Take a blood test or undergo a physical examination with your primary healthcare provider.
Stop smoking.
Take a break from certain medications (for instance, aspirin, NSAIDs or herbal remedies).

What happens during liposuction as well as other contouring procedures for the body?

The majority of cosmetic procedures are performed in a doctor’s office or a surgical center, or even a hospital. The procedure could last from between 45 minutes and several hours, depending on the procedure you’re getting done.

In the case of procedures that require surgery the team can:

Pre-operatively, mark the sites.
Place yourself on a surgical table and conduct the safety checks by nurses and anesthesia.
Give anesthesia whether general or local according to the procedure.
Cleanse as well as prepare your skin of the area of surgery.
Create incisions (cuts) on your skin. These are dependent on the procedure(s) carried out.
Cut, reposition or cut tissues and fats to get the look you desire.
The tightening of muscles during abdominoplasty is not uncommon.
Trim excess skin.
Remove excess fat with liposuction on its own or in conjunction with other techniques.
Incisions should be closed when the procedure is completed.
Apply bandages.

What happens during non-surgical lipolysis?

Most lipolysis procedures occur in a clinic or office. Each session lasts 30-60 minutes.

The team can:

You can get a robe, and hospital dress to put on.
Place yourself on a table or a chair.
Draw the skin in with the use of a marker or pen.
Inject a drug into the region where you wish to decrease the amount of fat (for injecting lipolysis).
Make use of a device (such such as paddles and a tool) to transmit ultrasound waves or laser beams, as well as either heat or cold, based on the nature of the lipolysis.

A majority of patients require multiple sessions of treatment to see the results.

What happens following body contouring?

The majority of people return home the next day, even after having surgery. If you’ve had surgery, make sure you have someone come to your home and stay with you for the first night. There may be the use of a tube in one or more of the incisions to remove fluid and reduce swelling.

The surgical team of your surgeon will give instructions for your recovery. These could include:

Cleaning the drains as well as changing bandages.
Beware of over-activity, but still moving around (moving all over) to keep blood clots from forming.
Notifying any issues These will be discussed prior to surgery.
Away from the sun.
Making use of medication (for example, ointments , or pills) to manage the pain or to stop infections.

If you opt for non-surgical body shaping it is recommended that you depart the clinic or office within a few hours of the procedure. It is not necessary to take transportation back home, and you’ll be able to carry on your normal routine.

Risks / Benefits

What are the benefits of body shaping?

A lot of people with body contouring issues report:

A more defined and well-shaped parts of the body.
Thinner, younger appearance.
Skin that is smoother.
Improvement in symptoms.

The results of surgical procedures are more evident and visible. When you choose nonsurgical alternatives you may need some time or even months to notice a difference.

What are the potential risks or complications that can arise from surgery?

All procedures, like tucks and lifts are surgical procedures and carry with them certain risks, though they are not common. The risks include:

An asymmetry (both sides don’t appear the identical).
The bleeding or blood clots.
Anesthesia-related complications, such as vomiting, nausea or difficulty waking up.
The blood vessels, nerves organs or muscles.
Hair loss near incisions.
Hematoma (a area of blood beneath the skin) is a condition that could require to be removed.
Incisions that aren’t healing properly.
Infection.
Nerve injury can lead to an increase in numbness, weakness or changes in the sensation of skin.
Swelling or pain that persists for longer than you expected.
Heart or the lungs.
The results you aren’t happy with may need follow-up surgery.
Discoloration, scarring, or rippling on the face.
Skin imperfections and discoloration.

The risks associated with nonsurgical procedures are significantly lower and include:

Itching or rash.
Soreness or pain.
Red skin.
Swelling.
Insufficient results and the need for repeated sessions.

Recovery and Outlook

What is the time to recover after the body contouring procedure?

The recovery process for surgical procedures may take anywhere from weeks to a few months, depending on the extent of work completed and how extensive the cuts are.

The nonsurgical alternatives have quicker time to recover. Many people return to work or other activities right after treatment.

When should you call the doctor?

When should I visit my doctor?

Nonsurgical procedures have very little risk, and you will not have to be on the lookout for issues.

If you’ve undergone an operation and you are a patient, you must be aware of the following symptoms in the form of infections or complications

Redness, bleeding, or swelling around the site of incision.
Chest pain.
Dizziness.
Temperatures that are greater than 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit.
The pain is not relieved with medications.
Nausea or vomiting.