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Body contouring has emerged as a transformative solution in the field of beauty and aesthetic enhancements, offering individuals the opportunity to achieve their desired physique. With various techniques and treatments available, understanding the fundamentals of body contouring, its costs, the recovery process, and the before-and-after journey is crucial for anyone considering this cosmetic procedure. In this blog post, we will explore the different types of body contouring treatments, their costs, recovery times, and before and after care instructions.

What is Body Contouring?

Body contouring, also known as body sculpting, is a cosmetic procedure that aims to reshape and improve the appearance of your body. It can help you get rid of stubborn fat, tighten loose skin, and enhance your curves and contours. Body contouring can be done surgically or non-surgically, depending on your goals, preferences, and budget.

Non-Surgical Body Contouring

Non-surgical body contouring is a minimally invasive or non-invasive option that uses various technologies to target and destroy fat cells, stimulate collagen production, and tighten the skin.

Some of the most popular non-surgical body contouring treatments are:
  1. CoolSculpting: This treatment uses controlled cooling to freeze and eliminate fat cells in areas such as the abdomen, thighs, flanks, arms, chin, and bra fat. It is FDA-approved and requires no anesthesia or downtime. You may need one to three sessions to achieve optimal results, which can take up to six months to appear.
  2. SculpSure: This treatment uses laser energy to heat and destroy fat cells in areas such as the abdomen, flanks, back, thighs, and chin. It is also FDA-approved and requires no anesthesia or downtime. You may need one to two sessions to achieve optimal results, which can take up to 12 weeks to appear.
  3. Ultrasound: This treatment uses ultrasound waves to break down fat cells and cellulite in areas such as the abdomen, thighs, flanks, and arms. It requires no anesthesia or downtime. You may need three to six sessions to achieve optimal results, which can take up to three months to appear.
  4. Radiofrequency: This treatment uses radiofrequency waves to heat and tighten the skin and reduce fat and cellulite in areas such as the abdomen, thighs, flanks, arms, neck, and face. It requires no anesthesia or downtime. You may need four to eight sessions to achieve optimal results, which can take up to six months to appear.
  5. Injection lipolysis: This treatment involves injecting deoxycholic acid into the fat cells to dissolve them in areas such as the chin, abdomen, thighs, and arms. It requires no anesthesia but may cause some swelling and bruising. You may need two to four sessions to achieve optimal results, which can take up to six weeks to appear.

Non-surgical body contouring is not a weight loss solution. It is best suited for people who are close to their ideal weight and have good skin elasticity. It can help you reduce small pockets of fat and improve your body shape.

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Recovery

  • Redness
  • Swelling
  • Bruising
  • Numbness
  • Tingling
  • Soreness

These side effects are usually temporary and subside within a few days or weeks. You should follow your provider’s instructions on caring for your treated area and avoid any activities that may irritate it.

Before & after care instructions

To prepare for your non-surgical body contouring treatment, you should:

  • Avoid sun exposure or tanning for at least two weeks before the treatment.
  • Avoid blood thinners or anti-inflammatory medications for at least a week before the treatment.
  • Drink plenty of water and stay hydrated before and after the treatment.
  • Wear loose-fitting clothing on the day of the treatment.

To maintain your non-surgical body contouring results, you should:

  • Follow a healthy diet and exercise routine to prevent weight gain.
  • Avoid smoking or drinking alcohol excessively as they can affect your skin quality.
  • Apply sunscreen and moisturizer regularly to protect your skin from sun damage and dryness.
  • Follow up with your provider for any touch-up sessions or additional treatments if needed.


Surgical Body Contouring

Surgical body contouring is a more invasive option that involves removing excess fat and skin from various areas of your body. It can help you achieve more dramatic and long-lasting results than non-surgical body contouring.

Some of the most common surgical body contouring procedures are:
  • Tummy tuck: This procedure removes excess fat and skin from the abdomen and tightens the abdominal muscles. It can help you get a flatter and firmer belly. It requires general anesthesia and a hospital stay. The recovery time is about six weeks.
  • Liposuction: This procedure suctions out fat deposits from areas such as the abdomen, thighs, hips, arms, neck, and chin. It can help you get rid of stubborn fat and improve your body contour. It requires local or general anesthesia and may or may not require a hospital stay. The recovery time is about two weeks.
  • Body lift: This procedure removes excess fat and skin from the lower body, such as the buttocks, thighs, hips, and abdomen. It can help you get rid of sagging skin and improve your lower body shape. It requires general anesthesia and a hospital stay. The recovery time is about six to eight weeks.
  • Arm lift: This procedure removes excess fat and skin from the upper arms. It can help you get rid of flabby arms and improve your arm shape. It requires local or general anesthesia and may or may not require a hospital stay. The recovery time is about two weeks.
  • Thigh lift: This procedure removes excess fat and skin from the inner or outer thighs. It can help you get rid of loose skin and improve your thigh shape. It requires local or general anesthesia and may or may not require a hospital stay. The recovery time is about two weeks.
  • Breast lift: This procedure lifts and reshapes sagging breasts. It can help you get firmer and perkier breasts. It requires general anesthesia and may or may not require a hospital stay. The recovery time is about two weeks.
  • Facelift: This procedure lifts and tightens the skin and muscles of the face and neck. It can help you get rid of wrinkles, sagging, and jowls. It requires local or general anesthesia and may or may not require a hospital stay. The recovery time is about two weeks.

Surgical body contouring is not a weight loss solution. It is best suited for people who have lost a significant amount of weight and have excess skin and fat that cannot be improved by non-surgical methods. It can help you achieve a more proportional and aesthetically pleasing body.

Recovery

Surgical body contouring has a longer and more complex recovery time than non-surgical body contouring. You will need to take time off from work and daily activities for several weeks to allow your body to heal properly. You may also experience some side effects such as:

  • Pain
  • Bleeding
  • Infection
  • Scarring
  • Swelling
  • Bruising
  • Numbness
  • Seroma (fluid accumulation)
  • Hematoma (blood accumulation)

These side effects are usually manageable with medications, dressings, drains, compression garments, and proper wound care. You should follow your surgeon’s instructions on caring for your surgical site and avoid any activities that may compromise your healing.

Before and Aftercare Instructions

To prepare for your surgical body contouring procedure, you should:

  • Stop smoking or using nicotine products for at least four weeks before and after the surgery.
  • Avoid blood thinners or anti-inflammatory medications for at least two weeks before and after the surgery.
  • Eat a balanced diet and drink plenty of water before and after the surgery.
  • Arrange for someone to drive you home and stay with you for the first night after the surgery.
  • Follow your surgeon’s preoperative instructions regarding fasting, medications, hygiene, etc.

To maintain your surgical body contouring results, you should:

  • Follow a healthy diet and exercise routine to prevent weight gain or loss that may affect your body shape.
  • Avoid sun exposure or tanning for at least six months after the surgery to prevent hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation of your scars.
  • Apply scar creams or gels as recommended by your surgeon to improve the appearance of your scars.
  • Follow up with your surgeon for any revision surgeries or additional procedures if needed.

Costs

The cost of non-surgical body contouring varies depending on the type of treatment, the area treated, the number of sessions needed, and the provider’s fees. The cost of surgical body contouring varies depending on the type of procedure, the extent of correction, the surgeon’s fees, the anesthesia fees, the facility fees, and other expenses such as medications, garments, or tests. You should consult with your provider for an accurate quote before undergoing any procedure.

Conclusion

Body contouring can help you achieve your desired body shape by removing excess fat and skin and tightening the underlying tissues. It can be done surgically or non-surgically, depending on your goals, preferences, and budget. Both options have pros and cons, and you should consult a qualified and experienced provider to determine which is best for you.

Body contouring can boost your confidence and self-esteem by improving your physical appearance and enhancing your quality of life. However, it is not a magic solution that can solve all your problems. You should have realistic expectations and be committed to maintaining a healthy lifestyle to enjoy the results for a long time.

Are you looking for non-surgical body contouring solutions in Mississauga, Ontario? Get in touch with our team at Aafiyat Advanced Aesthetics for a consultation right away!