Body Contouring
Body contouring or body sculpting is a collection of non-surgical and surgical aesthetic treatments used to reveal a firm and toned body by eliminating excess skin and fat cells. This procedure gets rid of fat cells/adipocytes and reduces the appearance of fat on targeted areas of the body.
Significant weight loss related to diet, bariatric surgery, or postpregnancy changes often leaves loose skin behind. Also, many of these patients have abnormal fat deposits in certain areas called the “stubborn fat deposits” that don’t reduce like the fat in the other areas. Hence there is an abnormal or unsightly bulge causing contour deformity in these areas. Body contouring procedures can help fine-tune these areas and give you a new body shape.
The best candidates for body contouring are those who are at or near their ideal weight and have maintained a stable weight for several months. Those interested should be in good health, have realistic expectations about their results, and be committed to maintaining a healthy lifestyle with diet and exercise. These parameters when followed will produce a long-lasting result.
Types of Body Contouring
1. Non-Surgical Procedures
These are novel procedures using technology-based devices. All of these procedures work essentially the same way – they target and destroy fat, which your body’s lymphatic system then filters away over time, generally within a few weeks to months.
As far as the results are concerned, all Non-surgical treatments give you a less dramatic change compared to operative surgical treatments. They generally don’t require anesthesia or downtime. These procedures usually take anywhere from 25 minutes to one hour in a doctor’s office. The procedure requires two to four sessions overall, depending on which treatment you choose and which area you’re treating. It takes about 12 to 16 weeks for the body to process and dispose of the fat. That’s when you’ll see the full effect of each treatment.
Any pain from these treatments is generally minimal. Afterward, you may experience some redness, swelling, bruising, and tenderness in the treatment area for a few days.
Cryolipolysis
Cryolipolysis is one of the most recent forms of noninvasive fat reduction to emerge. The development behind cryolipolysis stems from the clinical observation of cold-induced panniculitis.
Vacuum suction with regulated freezing temperature impedes blood flow and induces crystallization of the targeted adipose tissue when cryolipolysis is performed. The temperatures induced in cryolipolysis have no permanent effect on the overlying dermis and epidermis. You can use this procedure on many body parts including the chin, arms, abdomen, love handles, and thighs. It’s safe for most patients. The results of this procedure depend on blood supply, local cytoarchitecture, and metabolic activity of the specific fat depots in question may play a role.
Though this procedure can be done in the majority of patients, those who have a vascular condition that makes them extra sensitive to cold temperatures like Raynaud’s syndrome, for instance, should not use this treatment.
Common complications noted after cryolipolysis included erythema, bruising, swelling, sensitivity, and pain. These side effects are generally resolved within a few weeks after treatment.
Cryolipolysis is one of the most recent forms of noninvasive fat reduction to emerge. The development behind cryolipolysis stems from the clinical observation of cold-induced panniculitis.
Vacuum suction with regulated freezing temperature impedes blood flow and induces crystallization of the targeted adipose tissue when cryolipolysis is performed. The temperatures induced in cryolipolysis have no permanent effect on the overlying dermis and epidermis. You can use this procedure on many body parts including the chin, arms, abdomen, love handles and thighs. It’s safe for most patients. The results of this procedure depends on blood supply , local cytoarchitecture, and metabolic activity of the specific fat depots in question may play a role.
Though this procedure can be done in majority of patients, those who have a vascular condition that makes them extra sensitive to cold temperatures like Raynaud’s syndrome, for instance, should not use this treatment.
Common complications noted after cryolipolysis included erythema, bruising, swelling, sensitivity, and pain . These side effects are generally resolved within a few weeks after treatment.
The device uses laser energy to damage the structure of fat cells and the body then eliminates the dead cells. This device uses a flat applicator, so it doesn’t work well on body areas with curves. Heat treatments work best for the stomach and thighs.
This type of treatment uses ultrasound energy to break down fat. It’s the most time-intensive of the four types, taking approximately one hour per treatment session. Instead of hooking you up to a machine, a technician will move the device around manually. It uses a mechanical vibration to break down and destroy fat. This works very well on the abdomen and there is no discomfort.
These devices deliver energy to create heat and destroy fat cells. They target water in the cells, so it’s important to hydrate your body well beforehand since the treatment is not as effective if you’re dehydrated. You might feel a warm sensation during this procedure. This treatment has no downtime.
2. Surgical Procedures
Liposuction is the most popular cosmetic procedure done. Here the fat below the skin is sucked using a small keyhole incision. The best results for liposuction are achieved in patients having a stable weight and localized fatty deposits that will not disappear with diet and exercise.
While liposuction typically requires general anesthesia, it can be performed as an outpatient surgery.
There are different types of liposuction procedures based on the energy used to lyse the fat cells. Though each method has its own advantages and disadvantages, it depends on the surgeon’s comfort and experience, to bring out the best result. They may be used alone or in combination.
A fluid containing anesthetics and medicine to avoid blood loss is injected into the area planned for liposuction. This will help in the loosening of fat6 and aid in liposuction. Most of the fluid will also be sucked along with the fat. The amount of fluid injected is based on the patient weight and then the approximate amount of fat planned to be removed.
His is again an energy-based device in which the cannula vibrates back and forth causing micromovements, at a specific frequency making the fat disintegrate. Then the fat is aspirated. This grossly reduces the effort on the surgeon and is very useful in major liposuction.
This is a method in which a laser-based device is used to lyse the fat and then aspirated using a special cannula.
Here the ultrasonic energy is used to lyse the fat cells. The amount of heat generated is more in this method and adequate precautions are taken to avoid skin damage.
Body contouring surgery is often necessary to achieve the desired contour after massive weight loss. Lifts are necessary when there is excess skin or areas where liposuction results would be insufficient. In many cases, some of the procedures can be combined. Your surgeon will perform an in-depth analysis of your body habitus and lifestyle before recommending a specific surgical technique.
Excisional skin surgery lifts include:
- Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck)
- Breast rejuvenation (including breast lift, reduction or augmentation) to restore breast contour and shape
- Brachioplasty (arm lift)
- Buttock lift
- Circumferential body lift (belt procedure)
- Inner thigh lift
- Panniculectomy
General anesthesia and at least one overnight stay are often required for body contouring procedures.
After surgery, surgical drains are used to remove excess fluid or blood that may collect at the surgical site. If the drain needs to be continued during discharge from the hospital, you will be taught and explained, how to use and take care of your drain. You will be asked to wear a compression garment for six to eight weeks. This is to contour the body shape and also to avoid fluid collection under the skin.
The patient will be able to carry out their basic activities in 1-2 weeks, depending on the extent of surgery. Mild discomfort may last up to four to six weeks. The extent of your scars will vary depending on your procedure. For example, body contouring surgery will result in greater scars than liposuction.
Results for body contouring procedures vary according to the individual.
The primary risks of surgery include wound healing difficulties, Seroma, Haematoma, asymmetry, and persistent contour deformities.
Revision surgery may be necessary to address complications or achieve desired results.
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